The Spirit, rituals and politics of Ramadan
Mike Ghouse, Dallas, Texas
The Spiritual masters have captured the human gravity for rituals and have molded it with the art and science of self-discipline in their respective religion. The noble purpose of each one of them was to bring a balance in our lives and a balance with things that surround us; life and environment. Every faith is composed of a set of unique rituals to bring discipline and peace to human life. Fasting is one of the five key rituals that Muslims around the world observe.
Continued at: http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/The-spirit-rituals-and-politics-of-Ramadan.asp
Mike, your article was excellent! It presented fasting in a most uplifting way. What you wrote below is what Christians focus on when fasting before Easter - "fasting is self-purification," not deprivation. Blessings, Marylou
ReplyDeleteAA and Very well written, Mike.
ReplyDeleteFarid.
Dear Mike,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the excellent description of Ramadan and its many meanings! Though i am a lifelong Catholic, i now feel much better equipped to understand my Muslim sisters and brothers and to share in their celebration. Your wonderful essay, simple enough for me (a non-Muslim) to understand, yet full of deep meaning and power, has taught me a great deal about the sweetness, purification, encouragement and freedom resulting from the fast. I have always benefitted in the same way from our Lenten fasting.
Confidentially, i have made an effort to keep the Ramadan fast this year and last, in solidarity with the Muslim community. I am happy to learn more about the custom and meaning of the fast, as i feel that i am a child in my practice of Ramadan. However, it seems important to me that we share our traditions, in an effort to promote understanding and love among all faiths. (I have told only my immediate family and two Muslim Sisters that i'm trying to keep the fast. Jesus, Peace Be Upon Him, cautioned his followers to avoid showy displays of fasting for popular recognition--i hope to avoid developing pride in my "spirituality.")
I deeply appreciate the work you do in helping the people of many faiths to understand one another, and to value the wisdom in each others' philosophies and traditions. Jesus (PBUH) said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Children of God." I have no doubt that he was speaking of you.
Peace,
Dear Michael,
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for this. I taught a class at my church for many years comparing and pointing put the similarities among our faith systems. Your essay is very helpful to explain on of the central tenants of the Muslim faith. I once did a talk to our class about the value of tithing spontaneously in addition to the usual automatic bank withdrawal or putting a check in the little envelope in the pew. I was encouraging them to renew the connection we make with God when we consciously hand over something we value and trust that it will be used in a much better way than we might have.
Thanks again for helping me understand a little more about Islam.
All the Best,
Chris
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Christopher McGuire
Artistic Director
http://www.guitarsociety.org
http://www.christophermcguire.com
Mike, I want to thank you for (again) providing a most helpful interpretation of your significant Muslim spirituality.
ReplyDeleteWhile I read it with great interest, I also downloaded and edited in MSWord so that I could have a hard copy version. [My objection to printing from an email or online is that it usually wastes a page or two of space, which I can control in a word processed document.
Anyway, I plan to quote briefly from your document at a class that I teach(members of our church).
Rev Bill (J.W.) Matthews
Great article!
ReplyDeleteRubina Ajanee
I wanted very much to read this article but found the format very difficult and impossible to print out. (I'll try what Rev. Bill did).
ReplyDeletePlease have pity on those of us tech-challenged.
p.craig
Dear Mike,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your article on "The Spirit, Rituals and Politics of Ramadan". I think it was informative and educational. I have had Muslim friends over the years, and I am aware of the significance of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr etc. However, I did get some new insights about Islamic rituals from your article. I teach international students with diverse cultures and religions in college and have shared some of your insights with them.
To all our Muslim brothers and sisters I want to send greetings of peace and goodwill and say Eid Mubarak on the forthcoming festival.
Mercy Fernandes