The ninth Islamic month is Ramadan, a time of spiritual connection between a Muslim's heart and God through prayer and contemplation of the Quran.
The cornerstone of Ramadan is the fast. Briefly, a fasting Muslim rises before dawn for an early meal with plenty of water. The dawn prayer is performed, and then maybe some reading of the Quran, or going back to bed before work or school. The fasting Muslim goes about his or her normal day: work, school, and caring for children, but without the benefit of food or water.
At sunset, the fasting person will break his or her fast by thanking God, "Oh God, I fasted for You and I believe in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance," and then traditionally he or she will eat a date and drink water, milk, or juice. He or she will then pray the Mahgrib, or sundown prayer, and eat dinner.
Afterwards, many Muslim families go to their mosque for the Isha (evening) prayer. Many also stay for the special Taraweeh prayer, where one thirtieth of the Quran is recited each night, and therefore it is heard in its entirety at the conclusion of this month of fasting. This summer, Taraweeh prayers are finished around 11 pm.
By the end of the month, a fasting Muslim is usually reluctant to see it end. Having discipline over our bodies, focusing on our relationship with God, striving to give in charitable acts, and practicing extreme patience with ourselves, our family, and our friends gives fasting Muslims a tremendous feeling of well-being and empowerment. Ramadan usually has the effect of a total spiritual reset.
How can you be a good neighbor to your Muslim friends, relatives, students or co-workers? You can begin by respecting their dedication to their faith during this month. Congratulate a Muslim by saying, "Happy Ramadan," and watch how a smile can warm the room from such a simple recognition. I've outlined some practical advice for teachers, co-workers and visitors to a Muslim home or mosque during Ramadan to help those who wish to be good neighbors.
Educators: School will begin towards the end of the fasting month in most places around the country; children as young as 10 may be attempting to fast. Teens probably will be fasting, and teachers and school administrators should allow the kids to spend their lunch period in the library and afford them a quiet place for their midday prayer. Don't assume all children will be fasting; let them or their parents tell you if they are participating.
Muslim students are usually a small minority and may feel shy about discussing their faith traditions, but teachers can make a tremendous difference by simply recognizing Islam and Muslims in positive ways in the classroom. The Islamic months follow the lunar calendar, so the dates for these important religious observations come about 10 days sooner every year. Lumping Ramadan in with a "holidays around the world" lesson plan in December is too late. Let your Muslim students know you value their traditions by recognizing it with a short lesson sometime before the end of Ramadan, (around September 10 this year). Many kids will say they don't want to be singled out as "the Muslim" in the class, but they should appreciate having their tradition recognized as part of America's cultural quilt. There are two picture books about Ramadan recommended for elementary school educators on my blog, written for educators and Muslim parents.
Co-workers: If you work with a fasting Muslim, your curiosity about their traditions and general interest in how their month is progressing will be enough to show support and respect. Many Muslims have wonderful memories and interesting stories to tell of their first fast, or of their family Ramadan traditions; ask them to tell you one.
Iftar invitations: If you are invited to attend an iftar (the meal for breaking fast) at a Muslim friend's home, go! You'll be treated to wonderful food and will experience firsthand some lovely faith traditions. If you wish to bring a small gift, remember that alcohol or pork products are both forbidden for Muslims. Remove your shoes upon entering the home, and greet everyone in the room. Many Muslims do not shake hands with unrelated members of the opposite sex, and some Muslim social gatherings tend to be loosely gender-separated, so be prepared to part ways with your spouse.
When the adhan (the Arabic call to prayer) is heard, it is time to break the fast. Take a date and enjoy a sip of water in a spirit of camaraderie.
Whether you are at a large gathering or just visiting a family, they will all likely gather to pray, either right after this quick refreshment, or maybe after the meal itself. The prayer entails lining up in straight lines with the men in the front and the women in the back rows, with one person leading the prayer. The congregational prayer takes about five minutes; afterwards, many will remain sitting for a few moments of personal contemplation of God, and most will then perform an individual prayer ritual and then return to the gathering.
If you attend an iftar at the mosque, much of the above description also applies. You should wear modest attire (for women, long sleeves with slacks or a long skirt are appropriate). Some Muslim communities will require that women cover their hair in the mosque, so a light scarf to drape over the head is recommended. The iftar may be held in a community room, or in the prayer space itself. Many mosques are converted churches or community centers, making each mosque's iftar unique. Finally, you will be invited to view the Maghrib prayer service and share the community dinner afterward. Be curious and open, ask questions, and enjoy yourself.
Given the current anti-Islam climate around the country in the media and on the ground, warm gestures of respect and friendship will be returned in multitudes by America's Muslims.
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Kabir Helminski: What Is 'True Piety' According to the Qur'an?
Ramadan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Also, I think someone should start a fund and support organization to show our sympathy and solidarity with the NYC Mosque.
Let us hope she also addresses Muslims in her community to tone down some of the unhelpful rhetoric.
We don't need to discuss the particular points.
The author knows what they are very well.
Respect my privacy - this is paramount;
Respect my property - no trespassing; keep your animals off
Respect my peace and quiet - I don't want to hear or feel your noise;
Respect the neighborhood by maintaining your own property;
Do nothing illegal or immoral on your property - no meth labs, prostitution rings, child porn - you get the idea.
If you meet these criteria you automatically become a good neighbor. It doesn't matter to me what you "look" like*, where your ancestors came from, how you dress, what languages are spoken in the home, how you worship the Almighty, etc.
*I hate that expression - "look like". I use it hear to hold it up to ridicule.
I wish everyone would take the time to appreciate the beauty in how other people choose to live. Thank you for this.
When will man change his harden heart, feeds only their hate, bitterness, no mercy, no forgiveness, self righteousness, that Christians do? Against Muslims or other faiths of believers in God, for all have been given free will to choose, not even Christ, name called anyone, ever boast of his self righteousness, but served all races, all sinners, all faiths, all non believers, all pagans, all heathens. Christ never judged anyone, not given that authority to judge anyone, only God judges. To do so is sin, claiming to be greater then God who created all.
Stop this hate and stop the fear mongers, for men woman today are no different then the men woman in Christ time, they to persecuted Christ, instilled their fear mongering of Christ, called Christ a liar, a thieve, a demon, an anti, accused Christ of being a blasphemer against God, Same as what those who call themselves Christian are doing to this Pres also in persecuting him, saying he is not Christian nor believes in Christ. Who are really the hypocrites and going against God himself? Beware of such men woman like theses.
How quickly they change their minds :-)
Not like Christans, Muslims have never, nor dare, mocked, draw pictures of Christ, made idols of Christ, used Christ name in cursing, used Christ name to personally attack anyone in their faith, that is blasphemy of God. For Muslims honor the name of Christ for Christ to Muslims believe Christ, is a prophet of God. Muslims even greatly honor more Christ mother Blessed Virgin Mary, whom is written more times in Muslim Quran then in our Bible.
Muslims continue more strictly in obedience to the laws of Moses, then Christians, we do and obey and carry out all the feast days of God commanded by Moses on the days required, not changed, and still speak the names written, names we have changed and even God's feast days, like the Easter bunny rabbit, gift day not so. Idols? Not about God, $$ marketing? Christmas gift day and a day not commanded by God to be celebrated either. Like God said You will return to my Feast days.
To change the names of feast days, is to insult God who named them and the day on which they are to be celebrate, not about us feeling good, it is all about the God we Christians claim to confess to in faith right?
Since we believe you are blaspheming anyway, we don't really care what else you say about Him. Go right on ahead. If you convert to Christ, you will be forgiven anyway. If you don't convert, what does it matter?
But at this juncture, I wish I had a dime for every online Muslim who calls Jesus a hypocrite for only making Himself prostate one time, "when he was desperate." It would just make me a little richer, that's all. Not that I am worried about it.
I am not equating Christ with Mohammad, only stating what I have observed Muslims do not do, or use Christ name loosely, but honor Christ as a prophet of God only. I am only stating the difference from what Christians believe and what Muslims believe. Muslims they believe, Christ was a prophet, no blasphemy here at all.
Only stating as a Christian what I have observed as Being a Christian and try to understand the differences of all faiths. What I have noticed Christians do use Christ name loosely and even in some of our movies, used his name wrongly, I know. I have did so my self use Christ name loosely etc
Abraham is the seed I now come from, all sinners come from the seed of Abraham, when they accept, Believe In Christ as their Lord and Savior, which I do and our God.
Promise came from God was given to Abraham.
Abraham had 2 sons, Ishamel-line Muslims, Issac- line Christians, both faiths believe in the same God, both in Abraham and both in Moses. Both Sons were given great Blessings, but Abraham their Father, would be called the Father of all Nations.
Muslims greatly fear God and worship him, the same God we do. For Abraham also is their Father. Whom had to sons, Ishameal and Issac.
Muslims honor Christ as a prophet of God, and greatly Honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, Christ mother, whom is spoken of and written more of, in their Quran then in the Bible. Muslim do not accept Christ as their savior, but as a prophet of God and they honor him. It is blasphemy to mock Christ and use Christ name loosely or to draw make a image of use in cartoons, make jokes with, is sin and blasphemy against God. Muslims fear God, that is wisdom, do Christians fear God? Remember also Muslims also have their extremist radicals like all religions do also.
Feast Days Commanded by God, till this day, mention also in Book of Revelation, when God returns God says strongly, You will return to my Feast Days
Feast of the Passover: to be observed on the month of Abib. To be celebrate at the Place the Lord gives you. only at the place which he chooses as the dwelling place of his name in the evening at sunset on the anniversary of your departure form Egypt etc.
Feast of Weeks-You shall count off seven weeks, counting them from the day when the sickle is first put to standing grain. etc.
Feast of Booths, You shall celebrate the feast of Booths for seven days, when you gather in the produce form your threshing floor etc.
Three times a year, every male among you shall appear, before the Lord your God, the place which God chooses at the feast of Unleavened Bread at the feast of Weeks and the feast of Booths.
Hmm....
There's that small matter of thousand years of Islamic imperialism.
the historical record of islamic armies attacking and occupying much of the Christian Middle East, Spain,Balkans, Byzantium,Russia, Central Asia, India etc.
Surely, you take that aspect of history into account? Why not?
I was prepared to extend a large congrats and major kudos for an article written by a Muslim that did not seek to denegrate or dominate non-Muslims, until your last line; americans are anti-Islamist, not anti-Muslim, the LACk of any "backlash" against Muslims after the many terrorist incicdents proves this, can you say the same about Muslim attacks and insults and hate-speech over the last ten years? All the satistics say you are the one spreading hate by labeling Americans who are suspiucious of the motives of some0one whose religion commands the subjegation of all non-followerers anti-Muslim.
But until your last, CAIR apporved listortion it was a nice piece... is it too late for you to do the decent thing and correct the hatefullness that has no place in an article about a religion?
Hmm?
http://hereticscrusade.com
God's House is not American, Or Christian, or RCC or Mormom Or Muslim, Or Jew, Or Greek, or Evangelical Or greeds, or the Haters House, or the Liars House, etc, . God's House is not divide, and God only will tell who shall enter God's House, who dare stand before the Lord to counsel his own Creator, only a fool.
Jesus said Who without sin, throw the first stone? It is God's House not our House.When will all man learn to stop their self righteous attitudes of worship of their own flesh first, their egos, their vanity, their pride which God lists and more is all evil, sin. When will all man learn, all have been tested and God works in mysterious ways to test all our faith and love for him. We cannot say we love God or believe in God, if we do not obey God and all his laws. Adam Eve the Devil 1/3 of this angels did not get kicked out of heaven because they were all lesbians and gays either. Told beware of the soothsayers, moneychangers, the hypocrites and there are many many anti-christ right were you stand all around you.
Christ came to all man kind did not label himself or give title to any religion who were at war with each other. I am the truth and the light in darkness, I Am the Way, his persecutors where upset for Christ came to serve all, all races, even the pagans, heathens, Jews, Greek, believers non believers were all his listeners, and that threaten the powers of not only the Government rule, also the church.
And you are naive to say there hasn't been any backlash against Muslims in America after 9/11. Get real.
Some Christians who are persecuting all Muslims for the crimes of a few radical extremist are they saying,
And in asking, All whites Christians also, should be charged?, be fearful of?, because of their crimes in slavery, which went on for generations, if not thousands of years, of the horrific acts, crimes committed in time of slavery against humanity?
All whites? who call themselves christians , also should be labeled ter*oist against peaceful human beings, who also have the rights, like all human beings on earth, of the laws to protect them?
All whites, Christians, are they saying they to, should be called radical extremist, to be fearful of, because of what a few whites did also through out history, have done, did do but thousands years ago also, crimes against all humanity and slavery?
All whites are they saying they are the superior race, have the right, to name calling, labeling others, forcing others, who are like dictators themselves?, who persecute the rest of humanity -all man kind of all races, skin tones, because they are not Christians, of their free will to choose ones own personal faith which is it not Christians persecuting? Christians are they are the ones to fear?
All whites then also? Because of some, who profess they are Christians, who are persecuting this Pres, who are demanding, name calling falsely accusing, forcing, the Pres, to proof he is Christian?
Did men not do the same to Christ?
6,489,000 Jews in US; 2.2% of the population – CAIR claims 7 million Muslims for, about 2.2 % (is that why the CAIR number is much higher than all other estimate, to equal the Jewish presence?)
Compare the anti-Islamic crime with the anti-Jewish crime 1 to 1 for us to see who is getting the short end of religious bigotry:
Incidents Victims Offenders Percentage
All anti-Religion: 1,519 1,732 632 100%
Anti-Jewish 1,013 1,145 353 66%
Anti-Islamic 105 130 85 7%
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hc2008/data/table_01.html
(Addition 8/11; Please take note that the anti-Islamic crimes were committed on average by only 1.2 persons per crime while the anti-Jewish crimes were more often group efforts with an average of 2.9 offenders per incident!)
Even if we use the figure given by the American Religious Identification Survey of 1.3 million gives a weighted comparison of anti-Jewish = 66% and anti-Islamic = 105 incidents times 5 for weighting = 525 out of 1,519 incidents equaling 35%, barely half of the anti-Semitic rate! Q.E.D.
Try Reality, the Water's Fine!
http://hereticscrusade.com/2010/08/cair-partisan-over-religion-religious-in-their-partisanship/
On a serious note, thank you for the information.
That being said, happy Ramadan.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080824164827AAHJytq
I would say at least 20 - 30 percent of Philadelphia is Muslim. My family is very active with the Muslim community and and trust me, its about 20 - 30 % because my family knows a lot of the Muslim communities because we own a few halal markets and we go to Masjids all over the city.
here are some videos on Islam in Philadelphia
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_qu…
and this is the germantown, the predominatley muslim neighborhood in Philadelphia
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_qu…
Source(s):
A muslim that lives in Philadelphia.
What exactly are you disputing? That we have fairly large Muslim population? We do. That we live at peace? We do. Prove we don't.
If you think there isn't a rising tide of islamophobia it's because you're not Muslim, and you're not the victim of the hate.
Watch this video clip if you need some clarity:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38730223/ns/msnbc_tv-countdown_with_keith_olbermann/
" Incidents Victims Offenders Percentage
All anti-Religion: 1,519 1,732 632 100%
Anti-Jewish 1,013 1,145 353 66%
Anti-Islamic 105 130 85 7% "
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hc2008/data/table_01.html
The numbers for all nine years since 2000 show a DECREASE in anti-Muslim incidents... go figure... Your statement has as much truth as the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.. a forgery containing parts of books known to have been published well before it as attacks against NON-Jewish enemies of the authors... go figure again...
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hc2008/data/table_01.html