A Cultural Minute with Nasif Kayed – Introduction to Ramadan
Ramadan is the month where Allah revealed the Holy Quran to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) so that he could convey the message to mankind. It falls on the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is the Holy month when Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. Ramadan begins by the sighting of the new moon which is announced by the Ramadan Crescent sighting committee. During the month every Muslim should practice “saum” – or abstinence – which means they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, cursing, arguing, lying, fighting and any sexual activity from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is a test of a Muslim’s sincerity to his or her belief and is intended to develop piety or consciousness of Allah.
Ramadan is the month where Allah revealed the Holy Quran to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) so that he could convey the message to mankind. It falls on the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is the Holy month when Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. Ramadan begins by the sighting of the new moon which is announced by the Ramadan Crescent sighting committee. During the month every Muslim should practice “saum” – or abstinence – which means they refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, cursing, arguing, lying, fighting and any sexual activity from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is a test of a Muslim’s sincerity to his or her belief and is intended to develop piety or consciousness of Allah.
