This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. V, No. 34, October 2-8, 2005
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 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 © 2005 Bulatlat
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Northern Dispatch
Posted by Bulatlat