In the UAE
The Holy month of Ramadan
in the UAE
R
amadan is the name of the
ninth month in the Islamic
calendar and is an important
period of religious significance
for Muslims all over the world. It is
observed with daytime fasting, worship
and spiritual contemplation. Ramadan
is regarded as the holiest month in
the Islam calendar because Muslims
believe that the Qur’an (Koran) was
revealed to the Prophet Muhammed
(PBUH) during the month of Ramadan
on the night of Laylat al Qadr (Laylat
ul Qadr), one of the last ten nights of
Ramadan.
Ramadan Duration
The estimated date for the start of
Ramadan is on June 19 and ends on
July 17, 2015 followed by Eid Al Fitr.
This is a tentative date for Ramadan,
as the actual date has to be confirmed
by the Moon Sighting Committee in
Dubai.
50 | May - Jun 2015 |
|
Ramadan Greetings
Ramadan Kareem and Ramadan
Mubarak are congratulatory greetings
used when the first day of Ramadan
is announced. ‘Kareem’ means
‘generous’ and ‘Mubarak’ means
‘blessings.’ Other greetings include
‘Mubarak Alaikum Alshaher’ to which
the response may be ‘Allah Yebarek
Feek’.
Ramadan Guidelines
During the month of Ramadan Muslims
have the following obligations:
• Visits/Fellowship: It is a time of
much social interaction between
friends and family. Visiting with
friends and family is highly
encouraged, especially those with
whom contact has faded.
• Charitable actions: Emphasis is
placed on helping those in need.
After The Bell
There are numerous charities
(private and public) that persons are
encouraged to support.
• Spiritual contemplation: A lot of
focus is given to keeping thoughts
and actions pure.
• Restricted
Activities:
Eating,
drinking, smoking and sexual
activity are forbidden between
sunrise (fajr) and sunset (maghrib).
• Behaviour:
Curb
undesirable
emotions such as anger, greed,
envy, lust and gossip during this
time.
Points of Significance: Children (cutoff point is about 12 years old), the
elderly, the insane, travellers, pregnant
or nursing women, sick people, and
those who are fighting in battle are not
expected to fast. Instead they should
feed one poor person each day during
Ramadan, or, in the case of temporary
conditions, make up the days by