(Ramadan greeting card)Blue-eyesight has been struggling with how to grasp the concept of Ramadan and then convey those thoughts to other western minds. There really isn't anything to compare it to in our society, especially in America where we don't usually deprive ourselves of food. Our idea of fasting is eating fast.
The best reference I can come up with is the time of Lent where many Christians give up meat and one or two other pleasures for 40 days.
Lets start with the basics...
Vocabulary Words:
Ramadan-It is the holy month in which Muslims commemorate the fact that 1425 years ago, the first verses of the Koran were revealed to the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH). It is a time of serious fasting when Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and hanky panky between dawn and dusk. This means all food and drink. It is 120 degrees and you cannot drink water all day. This goes on for 30 days. My heart goes out to all the laborers that are working in the heat during this time.
Iftar-The evening meal when the daily fast is broken. Companies sponsor Iftar dinners, much like the office Christmas party back home. Many Muslims start eating at sunset and don't stop until sunrise.
The Ramadan Fifteen- It is not uncommon for there to be weight gain during Ramadan.
Eid-al-Fitr-The festival at the end of Ramadan. It is a time of great joy and celebration much like our Christmas Day. I think they even have presents and it is starting to become more commercialized just like our own holidays back home.
Low Work Productivity-Naturally when you have been up all night eating and you are sleep deprived and hungry and thirsty during the day, productivity decreases and may become non-existent.
The best reference I can come up with is the time of Lent where many Christians give up meat and one or two other pleasures for 40 days.
Lets start with the basics...
Vocabulary Words:
Ramadan-It is the holy month in which Muslims commemorate the fact that 1425 years ago, the first verses of the Koran were revealed to the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH). It is a time of serious fasting when Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and hanky panky between dawn and dusk. This means all food and drink. It is 120 degrees and you cannot drink water all day. This goes on for 30 days. My heart goes out to all the laborers that are working in the heat during this time.
Iftar-The evening meal when the daily fast is broken. Companies sponsor Iftar dinners, much like the office Christmas party back home. Many Muslims start eating at sunset and don't stop until sunrise.
The Ramadan Fifteen- It is not uncommon for there to be weight gain during Ramadan.
Eid-al-Fitr-The festival at the end of Ramadan. It is a time of great joy and celebration much like our Christmas Day. I think they even have presents and it is starting to become more commercialized just like our own holidays back home.
Low Work Productivity-Naturally when you have been up all night eating and you are sleep deprived and hungry and thirsty during the day, productivity decreases and may become non-existent.
Putin was here....the first visit from a Russian President. We can always tell when dignitaries are coming because there are policemen in armored cars on the corners. If anything happens, I hope their aim is good because their guns could wipe out my whole building.
2-3 more days to go
2 comments:
very interesting post momma!
I'm glad you incorporated my favorite quote of yours into this one..."my idea of fasting is eating fast"
love love love
I missed lunch once, is that a fast? I did make up for it that eve so I celebrated iftar and did not know it! May try it again sometime.
POPS
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