Ramadan Mubarak – Have a Blessed Ramadan

On the 23rd or 24th of April 2020 (pending on the country), starts the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan. Eyeing my UN field missions notes I found some good information about this important celebration, which I would like to share with you all.

Ramadan is the celebration of the month when the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Muhammad. The word Ramadan is an Arab word, which root (Ar Ramad) means “dryness”, or “heat”.

Ramadan is celebrated on the ninth month in the Lunar Calendar, measuring the appearance of the “new moon”. Since the Lunar Calendar is 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian Calendar, Ramadan occurs 10 to 11 days earlier every year. This year of 2020, Ramadan starts on the 23 or 24 of April (pending on the Country). Because the date is imposed by the “new moon”, the exact date (on the Gregorian Calendar) may differ one day, from one location to another.

Celebrating Ramadan is the fourth of the five Pillars (obligatory practices) of Islam. The five pillars of Islam are:

1 – Shahadah – Declaration of faith;

2 – Salah – The daily (5) prayers;

3 – Zakat – Purification of wealth (2,5% of annual savings offered to the poor);

4 – Siyan – Fasting during the month of Ramadan – obligatory to all Muslim except for the ones perfectly identified as exceptions (children, unhealthy adults both physically or mentally, women who are menstruating, in post-childbirth care, pregnant or breast-feeding);

5 – Hajj – The pilgrimage to Makkah – obligatory once in a lifetime for every Muslim with physical and economic capacity to do it.

During Ramadan time, Muslin believers will act in strict observance of the Holly Month’s rules, which includes fasting, repentance, self-examination, increased prayer and increased charity. Practicing Muslims will abstain from food, water, all liquids, smoking and the use of any kind of tobacco products, and sexual relations during daylight hours from about one-half hour before sunrise to dusk around one-half hour after sunset.

The Ramadan period ends with a festival – the Eid-al-Fitr (Eid for short) – consisting of a three days of celebration and gratitude that begin the new month. Obviously, this year (due to the Corona Virus problem) these celebrations may eventually have a different layout.

Ramadan Etiquette

Do not offer anything to heat or drink to a Muslim during Ramadan;

Avoid involving Muslims in meetings that include lunch or that extend beyond 15:00 hours and social events during Ramadan (again – the Corona Virus issue, will cancel social events);

Avoid smoking, drinking, chewing gum or eating in the presence of Muslims between dawn and sunset;

Don’t press an unwilling Muslim to engage in deep conversation because it may be perceived as a sign of disrespect–Ramadan is a time to reflect on one’s faith;

It is common for Muslims to take vacation/leave during the last week of Ramadan;

Muslims may be weakened (due to fasting) during Ramadan; therefore, it is wise to understand their declined workforce throughout this period;

It is expected to see traffic jams, congestion air traffic, the week before and three days after the end of Ramadan;

If invited to the ceremonies of the end of Ramadan (and if the Corona Virus restrictions have been raised) try to comply, but keep social distancing and keep safe;

Salute people by saying “Ramadan Mubarak” (Have a Blessed Ramadan).