Every single year Muslims around the world await the arrival of Ramadan. It is a month on the Islamic lunar calendar filled with fasting, friends, and unity. The start of the month is determined by the sighting of the beloved crescent and its end is determined by the disappearance of the moon. The month lasts about 29-30 days depending on the moon. Ramadan is famously known by non-Muslims as the month of fasting, but to Muslims, it is so much more. It is about gathering with fellow brothers and sisters to embark on a spiritual journey, make memories, and become better people together.
This year Ramadan is expected to start on Wednesday, February 18th or Thursday, February 19th. Many people have misconceptions about what Ramadan is; some people think that Muslims cannot eat or drink for the entirety of the month while others think they do not each but do drink. In reality, each day Muslims, and those who wish to support their friends, fast from sunrise to sunset. Once the sun has gone down, everyone gathers to break their fast. A classic way to break someone’s fast is with a sweet, sticky date, and the great thing about breaking your fast is that everyone gets to try new food. Being Muslim is not limited to just one singular culture, every Muslim around the world has a different identity. Some are from the depths of South Asia while others come from the plains of Africa. IB sophomore Aaliya Lakha “love[s] coming to mosque” and enjoying time “with [her] friends.” In the weeks building up to the start of the month she was trying to contain her excitement and was “super ready for the month.” Health Academy senior Aamina Lakha is also “super hyped” and excited for “all of the food.” A staple in her Ramadan is the cup of chai she has “everyday at iftaar.”
While it may seem lengthy and tedious, Ramadan is an enjoyable time of year for Muslims because of its nature. What is even nicer is that people’s non-Muslim friends and community fast to support the Muslims they know. Fasting is not just a spiritual action; it is also one of bonding.
The purpose of Ramadan is not only to fast, it is also to continue on one’s spiritual journey. The epitome of the month is prayer and peace. Muslims spend their nights making prayer, and the nights of prayer are Laylatul Qadr. They are the nights when the Quran was revealed, and they are spent detaching from the world and immersing the mind and soul into their journey. People make supplications for themselves, their family, and all of those who need help around the world.
The end of the month is marked by the celebration of Eid-al-Fitr. This is the first day of the next month in the lunar calendar. On Eid, friends and family gather for Salaat-al-Eid. They dress up with new clothes, give gifts, visit everyone’s houses, and hand out sweets. Many Muslims are happy yet sad to see Eid come. Eid is a joyous celebratory day, but it also means Ramadan has ended; in the Muslim community this is known as post-Ramadan depression. Lakha says “it will be sad to see Ramadan go,” but she wants to “enjoy it while it is here.”
This year, Seminole High School’s (SHS) Muslim Student Association (MSA) is holding a unity iftaar on Wednesday, February 25th in the main campus cafeteria from 6-8:30 P.M. They also have a prayer room for Fajr prayer in Mr. Seekford’s room for the entire month.
Ramadan Kareem!