Every year, Muslims observe the ninth month on the Islamic calendar as a holy month. This year, the holy month known as Ramadan began on June 27. The last day of Ramadan is celebrated with a festival known as Eid-al Fitr, which will be celebrated at both Camosun campuses on July 30.
During Ramadan, Muslims must fast from dawn until dusk. However, there is much more to the Islamic tradition than fasting, says Ahmad Hammado of Camosun’s Muslim Student Association.
“God prescribed to our prophet Mohammed that it [was time] for believers to fast from sunrise to sunset,” says Hammado.
Fasting is traditional during Ramadan to take the focus off of carnal pleasures and onto a better relationship with God, says Hammado.
“You have a normal day for a Muslim where he needs to pray, and give charity, and generally be a better person, but in Ramadan there is more emphasis,” he says. “It’s not just about doing everything that you have [always] done; it is like taking yourself to the next level.”
Ramadan means giving up more than just food and drink, and in reality means giving up anything that is standing in the way of a better relationship with God, says Hammado.
“What gets you in that mood is that you are not thinking about food. You are not thinking about your spouse. You are trying your best to avoid idle talk and useless conversations,” he says.
Beyond abstaining from food, sexual relations, and gossip, Ramadan is about better controlling oneself. “Muslims learn in this month how to have better control over their desires,” says Hammado, “even more so than in other months.”
In the month of Ramadan, all of one’s actions will mean more, for better or for worse, he says. “The reward is greater for Muslims in the month of Ramadan: their prayers and good deeds are worth more, but their sins are more frowned upon, because if you are fasting, but you are still choosing not to contribute positively to society, what is the point of withholding your food and drink?”
Ramadan also looks different after sunset from the rest of the year. Hammado says that many Muslims will appear tired or exhausted during Ramadan, because they spent the night in prayer. “After you eat, you may take a little rest, and then there is a prolonged prayer called Taraweeh,” he says. “A lot of Muslims take part and the mosques [fill up].”
The last day of Ramadan, or Eid al-Fitr, is a very important but sometimes misunderstood event, says Hammado. “For some people, they may celebrate it, thinking, ‘Oh, yay, I don’t have to fast anymore.’ The actual purpose is for us to celebrate and implore that God accept everything that we have done.”
Camosun International and the Camosun College Student Society will be hosting an event to celebrate Eid al-Fitr at both campus courtyards on Wednesday, July 30 from 12 to 1:30 pm. There will be traditional sweets and activities, as well as additional information on Ramadan and Eid.