Ramadhan: month-long fasting for unity, harmony 05-10-02

	NORDIS WEEKLY October 2, 2005
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Ramadhan: month-long fasting for unity, harmony
BAGUIO CITY (Sept. 21) — “Fasting is prescribed for you and those before you so that you may become righteous,” Bede Jim Abdullah, coordinator for Muslim education concerns and an Imam at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), shared a Qur’an passage he read in the Arabic language before the media during the press conference at the Office of Muslim Affairs, here. Eight Islamic religious leaders, including two women dwelt on vital information on Islam and the practice of fasting during Ramadhan, the ninth month of the Hijrah, the Islamic calendar. Ramadhan is a special month of the year when over a billion Muslims all over the world consecrate their faith in worship or meditation. A-twelve-hour fasting, which starts before sunrise (around 5:30 A.M.) and ends at sunset everyday for 30 days characterize Ramadhan, which started when the Prophet Mohammad received the Qur’an through Angel Gabriel, Abe Abdul Salam dela Cruz, secretary-general of the Ramadhan Al-Mubarak Committee 2005 said in an earlier interview. Muslim fasting Dela Cruz said that fasting for Muslims began with the first prophet, Adam, in the Islamic faith. No food or a drop of liquid may be ingested during the fasting. All Muslims are expected to observe the fasting, he said. Only the very young, the elderly; the pregnant or breastfeeding and women with menstruation; and the very sick and convalescing individuals are exempted,” he quips. Dr. Maimona Candao, also a Muslim, said that there are only few medical constraints to fasting. She said those with stomach ulcers, severe renal disease and type 1 diabetes may not practice fasting. “A very malnourished person is also exempted,” Candao said. Candao also said that people who are fasting may be dizzy on the first five days but eventually, these would fade out and the beneficial effects manifest in the person. She enumerated such benefits as reduced weight, decreased cholesterol in the blood and decreased lipids. Most of all, she says, one feels better. A balanced diet, not all carbohydrates or all-protein, should follow fasting. Candao recommended no alcoholic drinks, soft drinks nor coffee at the break of the fast, but instead approves of milk. During the 30-day Ramadhan, Muslims refrain from fighting, saying bulgar words and backfighting. Married couples also practice celibacy when fasting, Condao disclosed. “This is a test of one’s self-discipline and faith in Islam,” she says. Educating the public on Islam Ismael Ibrahim, Administrator for Baguio City, Benguet and Mountain Province told the Baguio media that his group intends to unite and educate the Muslim and non-Muslim community to understand fasting and the practice of observing the Ramadhan. “Islam is a growing religion throughout the world, especially in the Philippines, dela Cruz explains, “it is the religion of peace, harmony, respect and understanding.” The Muslim leaders said that there is a need to correct the notion that Islam is only for the southern Philippines, is close and isolated. Ibrahim said that the most important is for them to adopt and adapt an innovation in a rapidly evolving world if they are to survive and grow and gain respect. He said Muslims here are optimistic to be a part of a progressive religion in the region. “We wish to transform Islam from being isolated and close to an open society of self-disciplined individuals. We reject fundamentalism and radicalism,” Ibrahim said during the press conference last week. Religious fete, cultural festival This year’s celebrations start on October 5 when the New Moon appears. Part of this year’s celebration is the promotion of the Islamic culture and arts. The Islamic community in Baguio City, dela Cruz said in a letter to the council, has thought of raising the awareness of the public on the true essence of their belief and culture, which, he said, is geared towards inner cultural peace and understanding. The exhibition shall feature two faces of the Muslim community: the Islam as a religion and the culture and arts of southern tribes who dominate the Muslims in the country. One is to present the proper information on Islam and the other is to highlight the culture and arts of the different tribes in Muslim Mindanao. “This will give the public a chance to realize that Islam is not only for the southern tribes but for all,” said dela Cruz, who revealed that there are already about 1,000 Muslim Igorots in the city and suburbs. A special project to census the Muslim population in the city is now being proposed, according to dela Cruz, but some leaders place. Praying five times a day A Muslim prays five times a day, Muslim leaders revealed. Dela Cruz said it is wajib (mandatory) for a Muslim to say the fajar (sunrise or daybreak prayer); the duhur (done between the morning and noontime or at 12:30 P.M.); the asar (3:30 P.M.); the magribh, at sunset and the isha at midnight. He said, they could pray anywhere provided they do not disturb people around them but quipped that if one is near a mosque, he should pray there. There are several mosques around the city, the first of which is that in Crystal Cave. Today a Grand Mosque in the Campo Filipino barangay serves as the main prayer venue. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS
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	NORDIS WEEKLY October 2, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Ramadhan: month-long fasting for unity, harmony
BAGUIO CITY (Sept. 21) — “Fasting is prescribed for you and those before you so that you may become righteous,” Bede Jim Abdullah, coordinator for Muslim education concerns and an Imam at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), shared a Qur’an passage he read in the Arabic language before the media during the press conference at the Office of Muslim Affairs, here. Eight Islamic religious leaders, including two women dwelt on vital information on Islam and the practice of fasting during Ramadhan, the ninth month of the Hijrah, the Islamic calendar. Ramadhan is a special month of the year when over a billion Muslims all over the world consecrate their faith in worship or meditation. A-twelve-hour fasting, which starts before sunrise (around 5:30 A.M.) and ends at sunset everyday for 30 days characterize Ramadhan, which started when the Prophet Mohammad received the Qur’an through Angel Gabriel, Abe Abdul Salam dela Cruz, secretary-general of the Ramadhan Al-Mubarak Committee 2005 said in an earlier interview. Muslim fasting Dela Cruz said that fasting for Muslims began with the first prophet, Adam, in the Islamic faith. No food or a drop of liquid may be ingested during the fasting. All Muslims are expected to observe the fasting, he said. Only the very young, the elderly; the pregnant or breastfeeding and women with menstruation; and the very sick and convalescing individuals are exempted,” he quips. Dr. Maimona Candao, also a Muslim, said that there are only few medical constraints to fasting. She said those with stomach ulcers, severe renal disease and type 1 diabetes may not practice fasting. “A very malnourished person is also exempted,” Candao said. Candao also said that people who are fasting may be dizzy on the first five days but eventually, these would fade out and the beneficial effects manifest in the person. She enumerated such benefits as reduced weight, decreased cholesterol in the blood and decreased lipids. Most of all, she says, one feels better. A balanced diet, not all carbohydrates or all-protein, should follow fasting. Candao recommended no alcoholic drinks, soft drinks nor coffee at the break of the fast, but instead approves of milk. During the 30-day Ramadhan, Muslims refrain from fighting, saying bulgar words and backfighting. Married couples also practice celibacy when fasting, Condao disclosed. “This is a test of one’s self-discipline and faith in Islam,” she says. Educating the public on Islam Ismael Ibrahim, Administrator for Baguio City, Benguet and Mountain Province told the Baguio media that his group intends to unite and educate the Muslim and non-Muslim community to understand fasting and the practice of observing the Ramadhan. “Islam is a growing religion throughout the world, especially in the Philippines, dela Cruz explains, “it is the religion of peace, harmony, respect and understanding.” The Muslim leaders said that there is a need to correct the notion that Islam is only for the southern Philippines, is close and isolated. Ibrahim said that the most important is for them to adopt and adapt an innovation in a rapidly evolving world if they are to survive and grow and gain respect. He said Muslims here are optimistic to be a part of a progressive religion in the region. “We wish to transform Islam from being isolated and close to an open society of self-disciplined individuals. We reject fundamentalism and radicalism,” Ibrahim said during the press conference last week. Religious fete, cultural festival This year’s celebrations start on October 5 when the New Moon appears. Part of this year’s celebration is the promotion of the Islamic culture and arts. The Islamic community in Baguio City, dela Cruz said in a letter to the council, has thought of raising the awareness of the public on the true essence of their belief and culture, which, he said, is geared towards inner cultural peace and understanding. The exhibition shall feature two faces of the Muslim community: the Islam as a religion and the culture and arts of southern tribes who dominate the Muslims in the country. One is to present the proper information on Islam and the other is to highlight the culture and arts of the different tribes in Muslim Mindanao. “This will give the public a chance to realize that Islam is not only for the southern tribes but for all,” said dela Cruz, who revealed that there are already about 1,000 Muslim Igorots in the city and suburbs. A special project to census the Muslim population in the city is now being proposed, according to dela Cruz, but some leaders place. Praying five times a day A Muslim prays five times a day, Muslim leaders revealed. Dela Cruz said it is wajib (mandatory) for a Muslim to say the fajar (sunrise or daybreak prayer); the duhur (done between the morning and noontime or at 12:30 P.M.); the asar (3:30 P.M.); the magribh, at sunset and the isha at midnight. He said, they could pray anywhere provided they do not disturb people around them but quipped that if one is near a mosque, he should pray there. There are several mosques around the city, the first of which is that in Crystal Cave. Today a Grand Mosque in the Campo Filipino barangay serves as the main prayer venue. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS
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