Will Cook County News

By Nuha Abdessalam

1.8 billion Muslims will exercise Ramadan on March 11th, following the Lunar Calanader’s
ninth month. There’s a good chance you—or a friend, a coworker, or a neighbor—will be
honoring, fasting, and engaging in activities unique to the sacred month.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from dawn to sunset for one month, seeking
further opportunities for spiritual reflection on seeking a stronger relationship with God by
participating in dedicated worship and extra prayer, communal volunteering, and charity.

For many Muslims, Ramadan is a great opportunity to better themselves by immersing
themselves in faith through readings from the Quran and attending lectures.
Fasting on food and water for hours during the day allows Muslims to follow Islam but
essentially empathize with less unfortunate individuals who do not have access regularly
or at all.

More importantly, while food is often focused on during Ramadan to non-practicers, or the
lack thereof during Ramadan, Muslims concentrate their faith on becoming better Muslims,
refraining from sins not only during the month but permanently abandoning them.

Muslims often consider the month of Ramadan a gift from God, a special time for devoting
oneself entirely to God.

If you wish your Muslim friends or acquaintances a happy Ramadan, you can say, “Happy
Ramadan!” or “Ramadan Mubarak,” which means “Have a blessed Ramadan.”