Ramadan

[Morridini]

So Ramadan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan) started today, or maybe even yesterday for some parts of the world.

Any other Muslims on the Senate here who fasts? Or maybe even some non-Muslims who fasts just for the challenge of fasting.

For those of you who don't know much about Ramadan and Fasting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawm):
There is one month in the year called Ramadan, during this month it is not allowed for Muslims to eat/drink/smoke/have sex etc from Sunrise to Sunset. Here in Norway for instance the fasting time is from 05:06 to 19:49, and the time varies depending on where you are in the world.

Oh yes, the Islamic Calender (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_calendar) consists of only 354 days a year, thus when the month Ramadan begin each year is pushed forward with approx. 11 to 12 days. Last year it began on the 24th of September, this year on the 13th of September, next year it will be either the 12th or 11th of September, and so on.

Me myself is far, far from a religious person, mostly I am only a Muslim on paper. However I have always liked fasting during Ramadan as I see it as a challenge for myself, a way to test my willpower. The no drinking thing is the real challenge, going without food for 14 hours isn't hard, but without water can be hard.

So, anyone else fasting?

[Sarah-Leia]

I'm not Muslim but my family in Singapore (who are) fast during Ramadan.

[Morridini]

One day down, 28 to go...

[Momin327]

We can do it.

[Zedekk]

For those of you who don't know much about Ramadan and Fasting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawm):
There is one month in the year called Ramadan, during this month it is not allowed for Muslims to eat/drink/smoke/have sex etc from Sunrise to Sunset. Here in Norway for instance the fasting time is from 05:06 to 19:49, and the time varies depending on where you are in the world.

Oh yes, the Islamic Calender (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_calendar) consists of only 354 days a year, thus when the month Ramadan begin each year is pushed forward with approx. 11 to 12 days. Last year it began on the 24th of September, this year on the 13th of September, next year it will be either the 12th or 11th of September, and so on.

That explains why Ramadan was around Chrismas time in 1999. I was in Saudi Arabia at the time and they were explaining the Ramadan Fasting idea to me. apperantly there is a feast at night. and well the guys in the dessert said drinking water was necessary, (something about not wanting to die of dehydration). Good luck!

[Blizzard]

In my apartment building almost everyone but me is Muslim. It's very quiet here. The kids still have to eat, though, and they have more energy than ever.

[Morridini]

That explains why Ramadan was around Chrismas time in 1999. I was in Saudi Arabia at the time and they were explaining the Ramadan Fasting idea to me. apparently there is a feast at night. and well the guys in the dessert said drinking water was necessary, (something about not wanting to die of dehydration). Good luck!


Well, everything within reason.
If you are working and living in say Sahara or some other desert you would of course be allowed to drink.

There is actually a whole lot of exceptions, sick ones, old ones, pregnant ones etc don't have to fast.

Anyhow, today it is from 05:08 to 19:46. Nice thing with having Ramadan at this half of the year is that the first day is the longest day, it only gets easier and easier.

[Javen]

There are four Muslims where I work. Every year at Ramadan they go through this ritual and have to hear it every day about how they can't eat and drink water until 7:30 pm.

I respect what they're doing, so don't take it as I'm disrespecting because of the comments. It is just that;they don't have to tell us as if they're looking for sympathy all the time. It should be a time between them and their God.

I mean, we are even friends. But after awhile it just gets annoying on the daily."I can't eat today. I have such and such hours left. Look at me I'm fasting" Kind of thing.

[Morridini]

Hehe, let me tell you something. They are not the exceptions. Seems like every Muslim I meet (below the age of 30) has to mention that they are hungry/thirsty etc.

[Cassus Fett]

For those of you who don't know much about Ramadan and Fasting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawm):
There is one month in the year called Ramadan, during this month it is not allowed for Muslims to eat/drink/smoke/have sex etc from Sunrise to Sunset. Here in Norway for instance the fasting time is from 05:06 to 19:49, and the time varies depending on where you are in the world.


What!? What do these people do on the weekends? i couldnt even think about doing that.

[ForceFlow]

I am not muslim but my friend started fasting. though she is catching a cold.

[Blizzard]

What!? What do these people do on the weekends? i couldnt even think about doing that.They are pacing the halls of my apartment building, reading the Koran. Too bad it's so cold outside.

[Sarah-Leia]

The kids still have to eat, though, and they have more energy than ever.

My mum says that kids only have to fast for eight hours if they wish in Singapore...?

[Sarah-Leia]

Oh and at the end of Ramadan if we happen to be in Singapore we celebrate Hari Raya Puasa (Eid) with the rest of my family...and I get lots of money. :wink:

[Master Magnus]

It should be a time between them and their God.
It's the same god as yours. :wink:

My mum says that kids only have to fast for eight hours if they wish in Singapore...?
As I understand it, kids don't have to fast during Ramadan, although they may if they wish (IIRC, the Q'uaran stipulates that girls should begin to fast at the age of nine and boys at the age of fifteen).

[leiaorgana]

^ Also people who are sick, pregnant women are also extent of fasting, unless chosen of course.

[Morridini]

Yeah a lot of people don't have to Fast.
I think boys should start fasting at 12, girls at 15 or something like that. Sick people, pregnant, traveling people etc don't have to fast.

Anyhow, today was by far the easiest day in Ramadan so far, today I didn't realise the time had passed compared to yesterday where I was counting milliseconds.

[Orandhite]

I don't really know too much about Ramadan, but one of the guys who used to be at my work used to fast. I could not believe how he did it, so disciplined.

I have the utmost respect for you guys (gender non-specific) for showing such dedication to your beliefs. :thumbs-up:

I take my hat off to you. :howdy: (Sorry, this was the best smiley I could find to emote myself.)

[Morridini]

I have the utmost respect for you guys (gender non-specific) for showing such dedication to your beliefs. :thumbs-up:

Nice words, and for those I am grateful.

Just wanted to point out that if you noticed my post, I don't really do this because of my beliefs, it's more just a way to test my self-discipline.

[JediKeri]

One year during lent...I decided no caffiene drinks just because It the one thing I tend to crave....oooo that was not fun...I couldn't imagne fasting the way Muslims do for a month...I don't know how you guys do it

[Javen]

It's the same god as yours. :wink:

That's not what I was implying. Not sure how you got that out of what I said. The"My god is not your god, etc..." I was simply stating it is a time between them and their God, my god, wtf ever. The point is;stop throwing the fasting up in my face. It is suppose to be a private thing. Not to get noticed. "Look at me I'm fasting, poor me I can't eat for 12 hours. I'm so hungry. I can't drink water. I'm tired and weak."

I respect what they are doing, but I don't have to respect how some go about it.

Trust me, some Muslims I know do this every year and on a daily basis and it is annoying.

[Morridini]

So instead of posting a new thread I revive this one, and will ask a mod to remove the specific year from the title.

So have we gotten any more people who fast during Ramadan this year?

It starts tomorrow, and I can not eat, drink, chew gum, smoke or anything from 04:41 to 20:21. A whooping 15 hours and 40 min!!

This will be fun.

[kopernikuz]

Not for Ramadan, but I have been fasting a lot lately... About three days a week I don't eat until dinner... but I do drink lots of water. Part of it is attempting discipline, prayer and even some weight loss. It's part of the reason I've lost 45 pounds since February, lol.

Last year my daughter's soccer team was trying to plan their end of season pizza party during Ramadan and one of the families was Muslim and their daughter couldn't eat until later, so we moved the party back :)

[Solo]

That was very kind of you.

[Blizzard]

We do not claim to be of any religion, but my son and I were horrified yesterday afternoon to see that someone had unloaded a pig roaster on our apartment property. It is the kind where you can roast an entire pig.

It can't be an accident, since any type of grilling is not allowed here. Wouldn't that be the equivalent of burning a cross, since 90% of the population in our apartment building is muslim? :omg:

[JediKeri]

You can't grill at all? Darn.

As for the pig roaster, how rude!

[JediKeri]

Is it over yet? How's Ramadan going for all of you that are muslim?

[Morridini]

Been a loooong time, it will end either this monday or tuesday, depends on the moon, some wiseguys down in Saudia Arabia will decide when it ends. Glad it's soon over, been hard this year for some reason.