Ramadan

Last night was the start of Ramadan, an Islamic holiday that marks the discovery of the Qur’an by the Prophet Muhammad. The Islamic calendar is totally lunar, so Ramadan begins a few weeks earlier each year, at the sighting of the thin crescent moon, hopefully at sundown last night.

Sunset photo by Brayden

Ramadan is a month of blessing. By night, Muslims read the Qur'an, and celebrate the compassion of God with special prayers. 

By day, they give to charities, and observe the discipline of fasting: They eat an early morning meal before the sun rises, then eat and drink nothing until after sundown. The Ramadan fast includes abstinence from falsehood and anger, in words and in deeds.

Even though I don't partake in a fast, I observe Ramadan in this same spirit, renewing my relationship with God, and exercising self-discipline and generosity. I hope to build my empathy for Muslims as they observe their month-long fast.

Agenda:
1. Celestial awareness
2. Practice a daily garden prayer

3. Enjoy Iftar

1. Celestial awareness: 
Ramadan lasts from last night's crescent moon to next month's crescent moon. It's not a seasonal holiday because it falls at a different season every year; I think of it as a celestial holiday.

As part of my effort to have empathy for the Muslim's as they fast, I attempt to have a heightened awareness of the movement of the moon during this month, and each day's sunrise and sunset.

It takes special effort to pay attention to heavenly events. Muslims have the motivation of the fast, in which I am not partaking. I need to find creative ways to remind myself to be mindful. To help, I subscribe to a calendar ap that gives me a reminder on my phone. (It also helps that my ducks need to be let in and out of the coop with the sunset and sunrise.)

2. Practice a daily garden prayer:

Ramadan's purpose is to help Muslims to develop self-discipline, a strong spirit, generosity, and empathy. This year I want to focus my efforts on my garden. I will say this prayer each day:

I pray that I will be in unity with nature as I do the work of creating and maintaining a garden and yard. I pray that each stone will be placed with love; each plant will be given reverence; and each bug, bird, and animal will be welcomed.

3. Enjoy Iftar:
The Ramadan fast is broken at sunset with a meal called iftar. One year I had this simple Turkish-style iftar meal with Ezogelin (EZ-oh gel-EEN) soup, flat bread, goat cheese, black olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and dates. The soup is very tasty and filling, and the recipe is here.