ST. GEORGE — Muslims in Southern Utah are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, joining with millions of others around the world in observing this period of fasting and reflection.
Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The remaining Pillars are a declaration of faith called Shahadah in Arabic, prayer (Salah), alms (Zakah) and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).
A Southern Utah twist on Ramadan
Muslims and non-Muslims recently gathered in St. George for a pre-Ramadan celebration. Muslims in Southern Utah hail from numerous countries around the world, such as Morocco, Bangladesh, Ghana, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, France, India and Palestine, just to name a few. Munir Mahmud, originally from Bangladesh, said Muslims fast during Ramadan to gain empathy for people who don’t have enough to eat.
“This is how you are able to see what hunger means,” Mahmud said. “That way you realize a lot of people are going without food.”
The pre-dawn meal during Ramadan is called “Suhoor.” Breaking the fast after sunset is referred to as “Iftar.” Muslim tradition often includes eating dates during Iftar as a way to emulate the dietary habits of the founder of Islam. Shariq Sherwani, originally from India, describes Ramadan as a month of fasting and feasting.
“It is Thanksgiving times 30,” Sherwani said. “It is about sharing with the less fortunate.”
During Ramadan, it is customary for Muslims to invite others to share their food when they break their fast after sunset. Charitable donations, or alms, are often incorporated into Ramadan. Sherwani said acts of charity during Ramadan are multiplied 70 times.
“It is a month of kindness” Sherwani said. “It is a month of giving.”
The season of Ramadan
Unlike some holidays, Ramadan doesn’t fall during the same time each year because it is based on the Islamic calendar (Hijri). Muhammad Sazib Hasan, originally from Bangladesh, said Ramadan is observed during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on the phases of the moon.
“It is shorter than the 365 days of the English calendar,” Hasan said. “It depends on the cycle of the moon.”
The lunar calendar is 11 days shorter than the solar calendar. This means the time Ramadan is observed can range between 29 and 30 days. This year, Ramadan begins at sunset on April 1 and continues until sunset on May 2.
Observing Ramadan
Muslims generally begin fasting during Ramadan when they reach puberty if they are in healthy. Exemptions are made for the elderly or those in poor health along with women who are pregnant or nursing. Bahij Darrouza, originally from Palestine, describes the purpose of Ramadan as getting closer to Allah or God, but also as a time to reset from any bad health habits.
“It’s a month of training for the whole year,” Darrouza said. “It helps you get rid of addictions or other things that aren’t good for you.”
In addition to fasting and sharing with others, Muslims also use Ramadan as a time to pray, reflect and read their holy book called the Qur’an. Baako Wahabu, who is from Ghana, West Africa, said Ramadan teaches him how to be a better Muslim.
“The most important part is constantly remembering Allah throughout the period of fasting,” Wahabu said. “It helps us to prepare to be better people even after Ramadan.”
Ramadan is capped of with a big celebration called Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of fasting. This is a three-day period in which Muslims say special prayers and share meals with family and friends.
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