By Aaron Cordy
“The believer is kind and gentle, for there is no goodness on one who is neither kind nor gentle,” the quote from the Qur’an by The Prophet Muhammed, is an insight into the beliefs and reasoning of Muslims around Australia and the world as they began the annual fast for Ramadan on Monday.
While the Western world has had a mixed relationship with Islam, driven by ignorance and cultural misunderstanding by all sides of the religious line, Greater Shepparton has a large and vibrant Muslim community congregating here from many cultures and backgrounds, with the common thread of faith.
Most in the community work with, play sports with, and be friends with someone who observes the practice of fasting during Ramadan but may not know much of the significance of the holy sacrifice other than giving up food and water during daylight hours.
Began in 610AD on the Hira Mountain in modern-day Saudi Arabia, when it is believed the first five verses of the Qur’an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammed while he meditated in solitude, thus Islam was born. In 624 when Muslims fled Mecca for Medina to escape persecution, the month of Ramadan was declared holy by virtue of the Prophet and revelation of the Qur’an. Fasting became one of the five pillars of Islam as a way for believers to show thanks to God and reflect on the teachings of the Qur’an and its importance for believers.
Ramadan’s dates are determined by the Islamic Luna Calander and the crescent moon. This usually ends after 30 days but will end if a crescent moon occurs beforehand. The fast (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. As well as abstaining from eating and drinking, Muslims abstain from sexual relations, sinful speech and behaviour during Ramadan. To redirect the heart away from worldly activities and cleanse the soul.
At the end of Ramadan Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr, where they will give morning prayer and then visit friends and family for feasts called iftar.
While the religious practice of any group may always seem strange to those on the outside, we are all one people walking this earth trying to find love, hope and understanding for those we care about. When we take the time to open our hearts to more understanding and compassion for our brothers and sisters of every culture and belief, we build a world our children can be proud of.
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right-doing, there is a field. I will meet you there,” Rumi.
