Ramadan is the name of the ninth month of the Hijri (Islamic) calendar and is a very special month for Muslims everywhere. Ramadan is a time for inner reflection, for devotion to Allah (God), and for Muslims to re-evaluate their lives in the light of Islamic guidance. Muslims are called upon to make peace with those who may have wronged them, to reinforce ties with family and friends and to do away with bad habits.
Ramadan is the month during which the first revelation of the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. The night on which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet, known as Lailat ul-Qadr (the Night of Power), is one of the last odd numbered nights in Ramadan.
In 2009, for much of the world, the observance of Ramadan will begin on Friday, August 21st and will continue for 30 days until Saturday, September 19th. (In North America Ramadan will start a day later - on Saturday, August 22nd.)
Note: Muslim holidays begin at sunset on the previous day, so this year observing Muslims will celebrate Ramadan beginning at sunset on August 20th/21st.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is observed by more than one billion Muslims. During Ramadan, Muslims around the world get up before sunrise to eat Sahur, the pre-dawn meal. They then stop eating and drinking before the call for Fajr (first) prayer starts and continue fasting until the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib.
The act of fasting redirects the heart from worldly activities; it cleanses the inner soul and frees it from harm. Properly observed, fasting allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, personal sacrifice, and brings about feelings of sympathy for those who are less fortunate.
Traditional Greeting: The traditional greeting during Ramadan is "Ramadan Mubarak" (RAH-mah-dahn moo-BAR-ahk , “May God give you a blessed month") and the reply is "Ramadan Karim" (RAH-mah-dahn KA-reem, "May God give you a generous month").
Adherents.com places the number of Muslims globally at 1.5 billion; however, they also note that contemporary figures place the number in a wide range between 1 billion and 1.8 billion – with numbers at the lower end of the range being somewhat dated.
The largest and best known branches of Islam are Sunni and Shi’ite. Other groups within Islam include Sufis (although some Sufis regard their practice of Sufism as pan-denominational or non-denominational), Druze, the U.S.-based Nation of Islam (previously known as "Black Muslims"), and Ahmadiyya. As is true with all major religions, there are adherents within each branch of Islam who consider some or all of the other branches heterodox or not actually part of their religion.
After sunset on August 20th/21st, we ask that you join with us as we pause for a few moments and send feelings of love and good will to our Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world at the beginning of their special time of Ramadan.
Shalom Salaam Peace
Kay & Dave Corby, Founders Common Tables “Common Tables is an experience that transforms the way in which you understand the world!"Alice B., Colorado
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