Jordan Times
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Ramadan brings change to
daily routine
By Hani Hazaimeh
AMMAN - Jordanians, joining 1.5 billion Muslims
worldwide, observe today the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan, which
brings drastic changes to daily life routine.
The start of Ramadan begins at the sighting of the new moon of the lunar month,
according to Islamic tradition.
Scholars and officials gathered in the vicinity of King Hussein Mosque in Amman
Tuesday evening, some using telescopes, to watch the new moon following sunset.
As there was no sighting of the new moon, scholars declared Wednesday as the
30th day of the lunar month of Shaban, making Thursday the first day of the
fasting month, which like every lunar month lasts 29 or 30 days, depending on
the sighting of the new moon of the month that follows.
Usually working hours and consequently other aspects of life change in a manner
that fits the requirements of the month, mainly the main meal that breaks the
fast at sunset, the iftar.
Working hours for public agencies are customarily reduced to 9:00am to 2:00pm,
instead of 8:00am to 3:00pm during the rest of the year.
Private businesses also adjust their working day during the fasting month. In
general, Muslims try to be at the iftar table with the call for sunset prayers.
Restaurants are not allowed to serve seated meals during the day, while all
liquor shops and nightclubs are ordered to close till the end of the month.
Muslims fast from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days of the holy month.
Those who are sick, elderly, or on a journey, and women who are pregnant or
nursing, are permitted to break the fast and make up an equal number of days
later in the year, according to Islamic teachings.
If they are physically unable to do this, they must feed a needy person for
every day missed. Children begin to fast and observe the prayer from puberty,
although many start earlier.
Those fasting are also required to avoid immoral behaviour, have self-restraint
and show compassion.
Ramadan evenings are a highlight of this season.
There are the taraweeh prayers, performed traditionally at mosques.
The taraweeh is a special prayer performed after ishaa prayers in Ramadan
evenings, starting on the eve of the first day of the holy month.
His Majesty King Abdullah yesterday joined worshippers in performing the ritual
at the King Hussein Mosque in Amman.
Restaurants, cafés and hotels all cater for the occasion by setting up
traditional tents in addition to live entertainment, hubbly-bubblies, card
tables and array of sweets.
Qatayef, a delightful sweet reserved for the month of Ramadan, is very popular.
The pancake shell is filled with walnuts, sweet white cheese or cream and then
fried in oil, dipped in sugar syrup and served hot or at room temperature.
Most bakeries operate special qatayef stalls, often attracting long queues of
customers, especially in the final hours before iftar.
Dates, which come in all sizes, shapes and prices, are also in demand this
season. Generally, Muslims break their fasting by eating few dates and a sip of
water.
At the social level, family reunions and banquets held for family members,
in-laws and friends are a key feature of the holy month.
Free iftars
In the past few years, towns have witnessed the charity iftars, served under
tents erected in public squares and on the sides of roads for the poor and
passersby. These iftars are organised by big businesses and well-off
individuals, in addition to those donated by Arab leaders like the late UAE
president Sheikh Zayed Ben Sultan Al Nahayan.
Charity work is very active in Ramadan. Starting with the Hashemite Charity
Caravans, which distribute food parcels among the poor all over the Kingdom,
charity organisations’ work peaks in this season.
Lailat Al Qadr
There is a special night called Laylat Al Qadr (the Night of Power), which is
mentioned in the Koran as the night when the first verses of the holy book were
revealed to the Prophet Mohammad. In general, Jordanians observe the night on
the eve of Ramadan 27 by staying up till the early morning hours praying and
reading Koran.
At the completion of the fasting month, Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid
Al Fitr.
According to Islamicity.com, the occasion is “a true thanksgiving for a Muslim
believer for having the opportunity to obey God by observing fasting.