Spring Break
Dinner celebrates Ramadan
Liesl Dalpe
Issue date: 11/18/02 Section: Focus
On Thursday night, the Muslim Student Assoc. held a dinner to celebrate Ramadan, which began November 6th. Ramadan is the month on the
Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. The fast is used to teach discipline, self-control and generosity, while also obeying the commandments given to them by God. Fasting is one of the "five" pillars of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told his companions: "God has said: 'Fasting is like a shield. A person who fasts experiences two joys. He is joyful when he breaks his fast, and he is joyful when he meets his Lord.'" (Hadith Qudsi, Hadith 10). "Muslims look forward to Ramadan as a period of spiritual reflection and renewal. It is also a time when people of other faiths can learn more about Islam and the American Muslim community," said Omar Ahmad, board chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group.
The dinner itself was extremely well organized, beginning with a recitation of the Holy Quran. The recitation itself, which was in Islam, was meaningful even to those who could not understand the words as it demonstrated the beauty and elegance of the language which had a melody like singing. The tables were beautifully set up, and the traditions and purposes of Ramadan where explained to those who came to understand it. One such tradition was that there was a dish of dates in the center of the table, as one should break the fast with a date. Ramadan happens on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and involves fasting from sunup to sundown each day. This teaches self-discipline, as well as strengthening the relationship with God, focusing on morals and as a time to be thankful. Doaa Ammar, one of the speakers, talked about the teaching of Islam: peace, mercy, and self worth. Chancellor Peterson also spoke, saying that we need to "focus on the shared values of peace, justice and diversity." He hoped that this dinner would help to make Uconn a model of diversity and understanding, educating people about different religions and ways of life.
Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. The fast is used to teach discipline, self-control and generosity, while also obeying the commandments given to them by God. Fasting is one of the "five" pillars of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told his companions: "God has said: 'Fasting is like a shield. A person who fasts experiences two joys. He is joyful when he breaks his fast, and he is joyful when he meets his Lord.'" (Hadith Qudsi, Hadith 10). "Muslims look forward to Ramadan as a period of spiritual reflection and renewal. It is also a time when people of other faiths can learn more about Islam and the American Muslim community," said Omar Ahmad, board chairman of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Washington-based Islamic civil rights and advocacy group.
The dinner itself was extremely well organized, beginning with a recitation of the Holy Quran. The recitation itself, which was in Islam, was meaningful even to those who could not understand the words as it demonstrated the beauty and elegance of the language which had a melody like singing. The tables were beautifully set up, and the traditions and purposes of Ramadan where explained to those who came to understand it. One such tradition was that there was a dish of dates in the center of the table, as one should break the fast with a date. Ramadan happens on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and involves fasting from sunup to sundown each day. This teaches self-discipline, as well as strengthening the relationship with God, focusing on morals and as a time to be thankful. Doaa Ammar, one of the speakers, talked about the teaching of Islam: peace, mercy, and self worth. Chancellor Peterson also spoke, saying that we need to "focus on the shared values of peace, justice and diversity." He hoped that this dinner would help to make Uconn a model of diversity and understanding, educating people about different religions and ways of life.