Happy Holidays - Id-al-Fitr / Ramadan Mubarak - Iyi Bayramlar

Mehmet Akcin mehmet at akcin.net
Tue Nov 25 16:12:25 UTC 2003


!!!!!!!!!EID / RAMADAN / ID-AL-FITR MUBARAK / Ramazan Bayraminiz Mubarek
Olsun!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish happy and peaceful holidays to the NANOG'ers either they participate
 Islam as their religious or other religiouses. In fact this is a muslim
holiday (for those who
don't know.)

Hope the world will be more peaceful in the further days, months, years.

(Basic information for those who don't know what ramadan is. and information
about the holiday Muslims celebrate today)

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is
also when it is believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, a
guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation"
It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of Ramadan
and lasts the entire month. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on
their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It
is a time of worship and contemplation

During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily lives
of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours.
Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the end
of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. In
the evening following the iftar it is customary for Muslims to go out
visiting family and friends. The fast is resumed the next morning

According to the Holy Quran:

One may eat and drink at any time during the night "until you can plainly
distinguish a white thread from a black thread by the daylight: then keep
the fast until night"

The good that is acquired through the fast can be destroyed by five things -

the telling of a lie
slander
denouncing someone behind his back
a false oath
greed or covetousness

These are considered offensive at all times, but are most offensive during
the Fast of Ramadan

During Ramadan, it is common for Muslims to go to the Masjid (Mosque) and
spend several hours praying and studying the Quran. In addition to the five
daily prayers, during Ramadan Muslims recite a special prayer called the
Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer). The length of this prayer is usually 2-3
times as long as the daily prayers. Some Muslims spend the entire night in
prayer

On the evening of the 27th day of the month, Muslims celebrate the
Laylat-al-Qadr (the Night of Power). It is believed that on this night
Muhammad first received the revelation of the Holy Quran. And according to
the Quran, this is when God determines the course of the world for the
following year

When the fast ends (the first day of the month of Shawwal) it is celebrated
for three days in a holiday called Id-al-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking).
Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation and
for large meals. In some cities fairs are held to celebrate the end of the
Fast of Ramadan. (that's what is today)

Mehmet Akcin
Netpresence Inc.




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