In the year 2012 (Gregorian)/ 1433 (Hijri) I resolved to observe the fasting ritual of Ramadan. For those of you who have never fasted, fasting strengthens your will power, your body, mind, and spirit. I have fasted many times (usually some form of juice fast), but I have never observed a fast quite like this...
During Ramadan Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset for one lunar calendar month(30 days). They abstain from food, water, and sex as well as any substances they usually partake of despite traditional regulations (intoxicants such as caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol are prohibited by Islam). Due to my past-fasting experiences, I found that abstaining from food during the daylight hours was not so difficult, but abstaining from water was quite a challenge (especially for the first couple days). Initially I felt a bit dehydrated, but as I endured the fast my body adapted and I was able to establish a rhythm that kept me adequately hydrated as well as nourished.
Every morning I would set my alarm to awake me about a half hour before sunrise. I would drink 1 large glass of water, and 1 small glass with a packet of emergen-c (about 30oz in total). I would then go back to sleep for a couple hours. When I awoke for the second time, my fast had already begun. I picked up some tea tree infused toothpicks from New Leaf Market. These helped me to salivate when I was extremely parched and also freshened my breath during the day. I would break fast in the evening after sunset with some coconut water, fruit and nuts. After my first meal (breakfast), I would would wait about a half hour, and then I would have a large salad. On certain days I integrated cooked foods in the evening. I found that because cooked foods break down slower they helped to sustain me throughout the day, but also require more energy from the body and therefore more water thereby amplifying dehydration.
For my cultural immersion I decided to go to the Islamic Center on Old Bainbridge for Iftar (the evening meal when Muslims break their fast)on Wednesday, August 8th. I asked Soufiane if he would like to accompany me since he is a Muslim and lacks transportation to and from the center. He was obliged to join me, and so we(my girlfriend, Katie and I) picked him up at about 8pm (Iftar fell at 8:29pm on this particular day).
When we arrived at the center at just after 8 we were not quite sure that we had the right place, because the lot was empty. We were certain that it was the Islamic Center, but perhaps they weren't having service this evening. I asked Katie to wait outside so we could check it out, we walked up to the door and saw two gentlemen setting a table with dates and water (the traditional Muslim break-fast). It seems we were early. We stepped inside and spoke with the gentlemen who were organizing the break-fast for a few moments. I explained to them that I was doing a "Cultural Immersion Project" for a program at FSU, and they invited me to take pictures and ask questions. They asked that we remove our shoes. Soufiane and I stepped outside to remove our shoes, and I waved Katie off.
Soufiane and I sat inside while the gentlemen continued to set-up. People started to filter in as the time passed. Despite the fact that Soufiane is Muslim, he seemed as, if not more, uncomfortable than I. Surely, this was a new experience for both of us.
At Sunset, the Imam or prayer leader said a short prayer in Arabic, and then we feasted on dates and water. A few people were also dipping their dates in sour cream, but as you may have guessed...I didn't partake (little did I know I would eat dairy before the night was through).
After our date feast, it was time for Maghrib the "evening prayer" prayed just after sunset. A gentleman instructed me in the ways of Wudu, a traditional cleansing done before prayer. Devout Muslims pray at least 5 times a day. The five obligatory prayers are Fajr (just before sunrise), Zuhr (after true noon), Asr (mid-afternoon), Maghrib (just after sunset), and Isha (at Dusk).
After Wudu it was time for Maghrib, the evening prayer. During prayer, Muslims alternate between four postures; standing, bowing, kneeling, and prostrated(on hands and knees with forehead touching the floor). A leader guides prayer in community settings. Everyone knows when to change position, because the leader will say "Alluah Akbar," meaning God is great, to signal a change in position.
When kneeling Muslims rest their hands on their knees and often extend the index finger of their right hand which signifies that there is only one God.
Traditional Prayer Service:
The women and most of the children took part in service in the back of the temple. There was a blue partition separating the men and women. They also dined in a separate area.
After Maghrib, we feasted on Hungry Howie's and Publix cake. Due to my dietary restrictions I refrained from eating pizza (mostly because I knew that the cheese would mess me up!), but I broke down after several offers and ate some bread and cake (which was not without regret!)!
After we binged on pizza and cake, we went back to the prayer room for Isha, the final prayer of the day. It appears that the five prayers that are observed are the same or similar, they only differ in Raka'ah. Raka'ah is a repeating unit, or cycle of postures. A Muslim performs a different number of Raka'ah for each daily prayer.
When we completed Isha, the service for the evening was concluded. Everybody was glad to have me their and they invited me to come to future services. They recommended I return on a Friday, because that is their main service. Unfortunately due to scheduling conflicts, I didn't return until the final evening of Ramadan.
The ceremony was much the same on the final evening of Ramadan, but Isha was followed by a post Ramadan celebratory speech. The food was significantly better as well! We broke fast with watermelon, pineapple, grapes, and dates, and we had Indian food following Maghrib : )
There were many CIES students present on both occasions...
Ramadan is followed by a day of celebration called Eid-ul-Fitr or simply Eid. On Eid, Muslims are forbidden to engage in fasting rituals, because this is a time of celebration rather than abstinence.The morning of Eid everyone in the community gathers for Zakat. Zakat is a form of charity or tax that the Muslim community is prescribed to take part in at the end of Ramadan.The Tallahassee Islamic Community celebrates Eid/Zakat at Godby Highschool on Ocala and Tharpe. Soufiane and I were invited to take part in Zakat. We were told that if we would like to participate we should arrive at Godby at 6:40am.
We arrived at Godby for Eid prayers at 6:45am, and I feared we were late. As fate had it, we were one of the first members to arrive. I was told the number of Muslims present would be in the thousands, and though I don't think it quite reached those numbers...the Gymnasium in which the services took place definitely filled out...
Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the soul by freeing it from harmful impurities. Ramadan also teaches Muslims how to better practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity (zakat).
Overall, the fasting, the feasting, the prayers, and the celebrations were a great experience. Though I am sure I will fast again in the future, I am not sure I will ever again observe a fast of this nature.
If you would like to see more of my photos from these events, you can view them at:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.779862354407.2122733.197603276&type=1
(Note: it seemed inappropriate to be taking pictures during the service, but in the spirit of Journalism...I took them anyway ; )
ReplyDeleteWell done, Stan and beautifully documented. I think this is more in the vein of ethnographic participant observation than journalism, where detailed and rich description are essential. I can see this was an experience you will soon not forget.
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