By Sophia Waterfield On 5/5/19 at 12:10 AM EDT
newsweek.com
May 5, 2019 marks the beginning of Ramadan in the U.S., the ninth month in
the Islamic calendar. Muslims around the world will be preparing for 30 days of
restraint, reflection, prayer, and daytime fasting from food and drink.
As sunrise and sunset times differ around the word, Muslims in different
parts will have varying lengths of fasting. The graphic below, provided by Statista,
illustrates the lengths of fasts around the world, with New Yorkers having to
refrain from food and drink for over 16 hours a day during Ramadan.
Norway Muslims have to fast
for the longest globally, while Muslims in Melbourne fast for the least time
Statista
How Many American Muslims
Celebrate Ramadam?
According to Pew Research Center, the vast majority of Muslims in America
celebrate Ramadan, with 80 percent saying they
fast during the holiday. The research center estimates that there are
about 3.45 million Muslims of all ages living in the U.S. in 2017, with 2.1
million being adults.
Its 2017 survey of U.S. Muslims found that more adults fast during
Ramadan than pray five times a day or attend mosque weekly. More women fast
during Ramadan than wear the traditional hijab hair and neck covering.
How do Muslims celebrate
Ramadan?
According to the Koran, "It was in the month of Ramadan that the Quran
was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear messages giving guidance and
distinguishing between right and wrong. So any one of you who is present that
month should fast, and anyone who is ill or on a journey should make up for the
lost days by fasting on other days later. God wants ease for you, not hardship.
He wants you to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him for having
guided you, so that you may be thankful."
"This month is made sacred by the event of the Qur’an, which Muslims
believe was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during one of the last ten
days of Ramadan 1400 years ago, as he meditated in a quiet cave near the town
of Mecca," Dr. Homayra Ziad, lecturer, program in Islamic Studies, Johns
Hopkins University, told Newsweek.
"Fasting lasts a month based on a verse in the Qur'an that guides the
first community around the Prophet Muhammad to fast during
Ramadan. Fasting is meant to honor the revelation of the Qur'an.
"In terms of American Muslim traditions, the communal aspects of
Ramadan are often a way to collectively organize around issues that are
critical to a young and vibrant community."
Ziad said that young American Muslims have come up with "creative
ways" to celebrate Iftar (the meal to break fast after sunset), such as
gatherings to recgonize protecting communities from Islamophobia.
How to Greet American
Muslims During Ramadan
Ramadan comes with its own greetings. Dr. Emilie Zuniga, creator of
the Arabic language learning course for Duolingo, provided Newsweek with
some phrases that we can all learn during Ramadan.
- "Ramadan kareem" (رمضان كريم), which means “Ramadan is generous”
- You would respond to this with, "Allahu Akram" (الله أكرم) - "God is more generous"
- "Ramadan mubarak" ( رمضان مبارك), which means "Blessed Ramadan"
- You would respond to this with, "Allah yubarek fik/fiki" – "May God bless you" - الله يبارك فيك)
- When you get to eid at the end of Ramadan, you say "Eid mubarak" ("blessed eid" - عيد مبارك)
- You can also use "kull am wa antum bi-kheir" (كل عام وأنتم بخير), which is also commonly used for all holidays and birthdays
Duolingo is working to launch its course in Arabic for July 1, 2019. You can access it here when it's
ready.
Special Messages from American
Muslims
Hena Khan, author
of Amina’s Voice and upcoming novel, More
To The Story
“It’s an honor to see people feature my books in gorgeous Ramadan displays.
It thrills me to hear teachers read them during story times and use them to
inspire crafts, and I’m grateful parents exchange them as Eid presents and add
them to classrooms and library collections.
"But what I still wish for is for what I try to portray through these
stories to be widely understood: the idea that Muslims share a common humanity
and universal values with other Americans—including a commitment to family,
community, and charity.
"I want all Americans to understand that Ramadan is a time for
personal reflection, piety, generosity, and a recommitment to faith. It’s also
marked by traditions, foods, festivities and gifts. We tend to teach the
specific details, focusing on what Muslims do that is different or unique.
"This year more than ever, we need to emphasize the spirit of the
month and what unites us all. And as American Muslims, while we strive to
purify ourselves in thought and deed, I hope more of us will share the beauty
of Ramadan with our neighbors, colleagues, schoolmates and friends, whether
it’s through a story, an invitation, a gift, or a kind gesture.
"In that way, I hope we can make what we believe to be the best of
months, even more meaningful this year. Ramadan Mubarak!”
Nailah Lymus, CEO of
UNDERWRAPS Agency
"I have been Muslim my entire life and I always look forward to
Ramadan. 30 days of fasting (from sunrise to sunset) is a small sacrifice
considering there are people starving all over the world.
"The positive impact that it has on my life is priceless. A time to
rebuild your closeness with God, fellowship with others and work on improving
your character. We often get distracted with the glitz and glam of this
society, but during Ramadan your core values are strengthened and reshaped.
"I am ecstatic to begin my fast and of course decorate my house with
all the festive Ramadan decor. And on that note Ramadan Mubarak!"
Sayed Saleh Qazwini, Imam and
Educator in Michigan
"The purpose of fasting is to create a feeling of God consciousness,
or Taqwa, as it is referred to in the Quran. One of the greatest benefits
of fasting is that it helps us have greater self control by disciplining us to
control our desires.
The month of Ramadan is also a time to care for and empathize with
humanity. By feeling the pain of hunger, we are reminded of the hunger and
malnutrition that millions have to deal with on a daily basis. While our
fasting is by choice, there are millions of people who have no choice but to go
hungry due to lack of resources. Therefore, it is incumbent upon every Muslim
to give alms to the poor (Zakat) on the day of Eid at the end of the holy
month.
"It is also the season to connect with family and friends, as many
Muslims gather with relatives and break the fast together. It is an opportunity
to reach out to our non Muslim friends and invite them to eat with us and
celebrate all the blessings from above.
"Finally, the month of Ramadan is a season of spirituality and the
Quran. Muslims gather in mosques to pray together and worship throughout the
holy month. Within the month of Ramadan is the Night of Destiny which Muslims
take as an opportunity to pray to God to change their destiny for the better.
"I congratulate all Muslims on the arrival of the holy month of
Ramadan. Let us take advantage of this month by having more self control,
thinking of the needy, connecting with our relatives, and feeding our souls by
increasing our spirituality."
Karuna Riazi, author
of The Gauntlet and upcoming novel, The Battle
“It is hard to believe—at this particularly tense time to be an American
Muslim—that a month in which we fast from daybreak to sundown can be a
sanctuary. But I want you to know and take heart in the fact that it is a
sanctuary.
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"I hope you take this month - where, the world over, people like you
look down at empty, waiting plates and stand together in prayer - as a month
where you can feel safe, seen and loved through shared tradition and warmth.
Even as our sacred spaces are challenged and our bodies placed in jeopardy, I
hope your community closes ranks around you and remind you why you, your voice
and experience matter and make us as a faith that much richer for your
presence.
"Ramadan Mubarak and a safe and peaceful month to all.”
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