Ramadan Kareem

by - 07:37


Ramadan Kareem, my Muslim friends. Ramadan has commenced? How are you enjoying so far? Time to get closer to Allah spiritually and inspire peace and unity. 

For our non Muslim Friends, Ramadan takes place on a yearly basis. According to Wikipedia, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. Ramadan stems from one of the FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM ; Faith, Prayer, Charity, Fasting(in Ramadan), and Pilgrimage in Mecca. 

Some of us are not familiar with the customs and purpose of Ramadan, even though it takes place in the North and other parts of the country. So definitely it is wise to know a couple of things about it. Shall we?

So what is Ramadan?

It is believed that Ramadan is celebrated to appreciate and commemorate the time  God revealed the first chapters of the Quran, Islam’s sacred text, to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims believe that during this period, the gates of heaven are open and the gates of hell are closed.The pre-dawn meal is called the suhoor, while the fast is broken at dusk with the iftar, starting with a few sips of water and some dates.

Abstinence during Ramadan isn’t just restricted to food and water, though. It extends to refraining from sexual activity, smoking, and even to jealousy, anger or other negative thoughts throughout the month. Muslims believe that following these practices during Ramadan will lead to self-purification, self-control and bring them closer to Allah. Many Muslims also attend special prayer services, read verses of the Quran and engage in charity.

During Ramadan, offices and schools in Islamic countries shut early. For instance, government offices in the United Arab Emirates will operate between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Some counties, such as Abu Dhabi, waive public parking fees near mosques during prayers. Many restaurants remain shut during daylight hours.

When is the Ramadan

The new moon was reportedly sighted Wednesday in some parts of the country including Demoroji in Isa District Sokoto, Bonny in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and  Borno State, Zamfara State. Following the development, Sultan Abubakar directed Muslims in the country to commence the Ramadan fasting which is one of the five pillars of Islam. This is in line with Saudi Arabia’s declaration yesterday and other parts of the world that Ramadan begins on Thursday. The beginning and end of Islamic months are determined by the sighting of the new moon. Addressing a press conference of print, broadcasting and online journalists at the Sultan’s Palace at about 8.15pm on Wednesday, the Sultan said : “Reliable reports of moon-sighting were received from Muslim leaders from across the country which were duly verified and the areas of sighting including Sokoto here, Borno, Zamfara, Bauchi, Rivers, etc. “Consequently, tomorrow Thursday the 17th day of May 2018 is Ramadan 1, 1439 AH. 

Subject to the above, Ramadan is currently commemorated in different part of country with diligence and vigor.

So to our Muslim friends…

 “Ramadan Kareem”, “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Happy Ramadan.”

CRUISE AFRICA


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