Ramadan
What is Ramadan?
Significance of Ramadan?
Fasting: What is it? Who fasts? Why?
Typical Ramadan Activities.
Eid-ul-Fitr: Marking the End of Ramadan.
Working with Muslim Colleagues.
Traveling to Muslim Countries.
Conclusions.
What is Ramadan?
Ninth month of the Hijri calendar (lunar calendar), this is year 1428.Ramadan is an Arabic word; its root “Ar-Ramad” means “dryness/heat.”
The Lunar calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.Thus, every year, Ramadan arrives 11 days earlier than previous one. It will take 30 more years until Ramadan falls in October again
Can You Spot the New Moon?
Start of Ramadan could differ from a place to another depending on ability to sight the moon
The Significance of
Ramadan
Month in which the Qur’an was
revealed
Special month of: Fasting, Repentance,
Increased prayer, Increased charity,
Soul focusing, and spirituality
Ends with the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr: Day of celebration and gratitude
The Significance of Ramadan
Ramadan is the 4th of the 5 pillars of Islam
1.
Shahadah - Declaration of faith
2.
Salah - Daily (5) prayers
3.
Zakah - Purification of wealth (2.5% of annual
savings go to the poor) Zakah is an Arabic
word, root “zaka” means to grow, to increase,
or to be pure in heart
4.
Siyam - Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory
to all adult Muslims except those who are
exempt
5.
Hajj- Pilgrimage to Makkah - obligatory once
in a lifetime for those who are physically and
financially able