Observing
Ramadhan in Baguio
Ramadhan is a special
month of the year when over a billion Muslims all over the world
consecrate their faith in worship or meditation. Politicians can learn a
lesson or two from this Muslim practice, especially now that the country
is facing a lingering political and economic crisis.
BY LYN V. RAMO
Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat
HOLY MONTH:
Filipino Muslims bend in prayer in the country's biggest mosque in
observance of the holy month of Ramadhan |
BAGUIO CITY (246
kilometers north of Manila) — Government officials can get an important
lesson from the Ramadhan, particularly the practice of fasting.
“Fasting is
prescribed for you and those before you so that you may become righteous,”
Bede Jim Abdullah, coordinator for Muslim education concerns and an
Imam at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), shared a Qur’an passage
he read in the Arabic language during a press conference last Sept. 21 at
the Office of Muslim Affairs here.
|
Eight Islamic
religious leaders, including two women, dwelt on vital information on
Islam and the practice of fasting during Ramadhan, the ninth month of the
Hijrah (Islamic calendar). This year’s Ramadhan starts on Oct. 5 when the
New Moon appears.
Ramadhan is a special
month of the year when over a billion Muslims all over the world
consecrate their faith in worship or meditation. A 12-hour fasting, which
starts before sunrise (around 5:30 a.m.) and ends at sunset everyday for
30 days characterizes Ramadhan, which started when the Prophet Mohammad
received the Qur’an through Angel Gabriel, Abe Abdul Salam dela Cruz,
secretary-general of the Ramadhan Al-Mubarak Committee 2005 said in an
earlier interview.
Muslim fasting
Dela Cruz said that
fasting for Muslims began with the first prophet, Adam, in the Islamic
faith. No food or a drop of liquid may be ingested during the fasting.
All Muslims are expected to observe fasting, he said. “Only the very
young, the elderly, the pregnant or breastfeeding and women with
menstruation, and the very sick and convalescing individuals are
exempted,” he said.
Dr. Maimona Candao,
also a Muslim, said that there are only few medical constraints to
fasting. Those with stomach ulcers, severe renal disease and type 1
diabetes may not practice fasting, she said. “Even a very malnourished
person is exempted,” she said.
Candao added that
people who are fasting may be dizzy on the first five days but eventually,
these would fade out and the beneficial effects manifest in the person.
She identified benefits like reduced weight, decreased cholesterol in the
blood and decreased lipids. Most of all, she said, one feels better.
A balanced diet
should follow fasting. Candao recommended no alcoholic drinks, soft drinks
or coffee at the break of the fast, and instead encouraged the drinking of
milk.
During the 30-day
Ramadhan, Muslims refrain from fighting, saying vulgar words and
backstabbing. Married couples also practice celibacy when fasting, Condao
disclosed. “This is a test of one’s self-discipline and faith in Islam.”
Educating the
public on Islam
Ismael Ibrahim,
administrator for Baguio City, Benguet and Mountain Province told the
Baguio media that his group intends to unite and educate the Muslim and
non-Muslim communities to understand fasting and the practice of observing
the Ramadhan.
“Islam is a growing
religion throughout the world, especially in the Philippines,” dela Cruz
said. “It is the religion of peace, harmony, respect and understanding.”
The Muslim leaders
said that there is a need to correct the notion that Islam is only for the
southern Philippines, and that it is close and isolated.
Ibrahim said that the
most important is for them to adopt and adapt an innovation in a
rapidly-evolving world if they are to survive and grow and gain respect.
He said Muslims here are optimistic to be a part of a progressive religion
in the region.
“We wish to transform
Islam from being isolated and close to an open society of self-disciplined
individuals. We reject fundamentalism and radicalism,” Ibrahim said
during the press conference last week.
Religious fete,
cultural festival
Part of this year’s
celebration is the promotion of the Islamic culture and arts. The Islamic
community in Baguio
City, dela Cruz said, has thought of
raising the awareness of the public on the true essence of their belief
and culture, which, he said, is geared towards inner cultural peace and
understanding.
“This will give the
public a chance to realize that Islam is not only for the southern tribes
but for all,” said dela Cruz, who revealed that there are already about
1,000 Muslim Igorots in the city and suburbs. A special project to
census the Muslim population in the city is now being proposed, according
to dela Cruz.
Praying five times
a day
A Muslim prays five
times a day, Muslim leaders revealed. Dela Cruz said it is wajib (mandatory)
for a Muslim to say the fajar (sunrise or daybreak prayer); the
duhur (done between the morning and noontime or at 12:30 p.m.);
the asar (3:30 p.m.); the
magribh, at sunset and the isha at midnight.
He said, they could
pray anywhere provided they do not disturb people around them but stressed
that if one is near a mosque, he or she should pray there. There are
several mosques around the city, the first of which is that in Crystal
Cave. Today a Grand Mosque in the Campo Filipino barangay serves as the
main prayer venue.
The Baguio
City council recently approved a
resolution allowing a month-long fete in relation to Ramadhan Al-Mubarak
2005. Northern Dispatch / Posted by Bulatlat
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