• What is Ramadan• The Significance of Ramadan• Fasting: What is it?

Who Fasts? Why?

• Typical Ramadan Activities• Eid-Al-Fitr: Marking the end of

Ramadan• Working with Muslim

colleagues• Ramadan for Non-Muslims• Conclusion

Ramadan

What is Ramadan?• Ninth month of the Hijri calendar (Lunar

calendar).• The lunar calendar is 11-12 days shorter than

the Gregorian calendar… therefore, Ramadan travels throughout the seasons.

The Significance of Ramadan

Ramadan is the 4th of the 5 pillars of Islam. They are:1. Shahadah - Declaration of faith: ~ “There is no true

god (deity) but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.” ~

2. Salah - The five daily prayers.3. Zakah - Purification of wealth: 2.5% of ones annual

savings goes to the poor. Zakah means to grow, increase or to be pure in heart.

4. Siyam - Fasting during Ramadan.5. Hajj - Pilgrimage to Makkah: Obligatory once in a

lifetime for those who are physically and financially able.

The Significance of Ramadan (cont.)

• Laylat al Qadr – Night of Power, which is said to be better than a thousand months of worship. Can take place any of the last 10 nights of Ramadan.

• Month in which the Qur’an (the holy book of Islam and Final Testament) was revealed.

• Special month of fasting, repentance, forgiveness, increase in prayer, worship, and charity.

Fasting - What is it?Fasting - What is it?• Fasting begins at dawn and ends at

sunset.

• Physical aspects: Refrain from eating, drinking, smoking

and sexual activities during the daylight hours which varies from 12 to 17 hours.

• Spiritual aspects: Refrain from blameworthy thoughts

and acts e.g. foul language, vain talks, hurtful behavior during all hours.

Who Fasts?Who Fasts?All Muslims are asked to fast, with theAll Muslims are asked to fast, with the

exception of:exception of:• ChildrenChildren• Unhealthy adults (mentally or Unhealthy adults (mentally or

physically)physically)• Adults traveling long distances.Adults traveling long distances.• Women who are menstruating.Women who are menstruating.• Women who are pregnant or in post-Women who are pregnant or in post-

childbirth care or breast feeding.childbirth care or breast feeding.

Fasting - Why?Primary objectives:• To attain taqwa (God consciousness / piety) and

self discipline. The literal meaning of taqwa is protection/prevention.

Spiritual benefits:• Help Muslims draw closer to God through

increased recitation and reflection of the Qur’an and additional prayers and worship.

• Aids in increasing of iman (faith) and ihsan (sincerity and righteousness) and removal of riyya (showing off).

• Trains the person to do praiseworthy acts e.g. charity, kindness, generosity, patience and forgiveness.

Fasting - Why? (cont.)Physical benefits:

1. A fasting person experiences some of the hardship of the poor and hungry.

3. Health benefits including lowering of blood sugar, cholesterol and systolic blood pressure.

2. Improves strength, endurance and self-discipline through physical abstentions.

Typical Ramadan Activities

• Reciting the Holy Qu’ran.

• Suhoor - Meal before dawn.

• Iftar - Breaking of the fast at sunset (to coincide with the 4th daily prayer).

• Taraweeh - Optional prayer at night.

•Qiyam: Optional late-night prayers, especially in the last 10 nights of Ramadan.

•Visits: Social gatherings, sharing food and gifts with neighbors, friends and the poor.

Eid activities include:• The feast marking the end of Ramadan.• Eid prayer in the early morning• Zakat-Al-Fitr: A prescribed amount of

money obligatory on every Muslim, calculated to feed one poor person in his region for one day.

Eid-Al-Fitr: The End of Ramadan

• Visiting family, friends, elderly, neighbors and the sick.

• Gift-giving especially to children. • The greeting of that day is, “Eid Mubarak”

Working with Muslim ColleaguesBeing in a Muslim country during Ramadan is

a great Experience:

• Working hours in most companies end earlier during Ramadan.

• Be understanding that it is the most special month for Muslims.

• Be considerate and supportive to the Muslims around you.

• Greeting colleagues by saying “Ramadan Mubarak” is a very nice custom.

• If invited to share Iftar try to make it. You will enjoy it.

Ramadan for Non-Muslims

Non-Muslims can easily participate and join in the festivities. It would be highly appreciatedto contribute by: a) Refraining from eating, drinking and

smoking in public.b) Women are advised to dress modestly

(clothing that is too tight or too revealing is considered inappropriate)

Conclusion

• Ramadan is the month of fasting.• Physical abstentions and intensification

of acts of worships are a means towards attaining the spiritual objectives of self purification and improvement.

• Essentially a month of training used to discipline/prepare oneself for the remainder of the year and life.

• This is an opportunity for you to learn and partake in the Islamic culture and traditions.

THANK YOUTHANK YOU