We wrote a couple weeks ago about being offered dinner on the street on the first night of Ramadan. Since then, when we're out around 6 pm, the time when the evening call to prayer goes out and the fast is officially broken, we've been offered other little things. On Monday, we were offered packaged dates as we left the metro station. Today, while we were still on the subway, we were given date cookies and fruit juice. From what we've gathered, Muslims believe that the more generous they are during Ramadan, the wider heavens doors will open for them when the times comes.
The title of this post, by the way, roughly translates to "Ramadan is generous."
I wish we had a holiday (or rather, religious celebration) that was so intentionally focused on generosity as a way of celebrating the gifts God gives. Christmas comes closest, but it seems like every year that passes brings more commercialness and less recognition of the wonderful reason we celebrate. And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that there is no commercialism or purely cultural emphasis associated with Ramadan, there certainly is, but something about the dificultness of fasting (no food, no water) for the day makes it feel different.
03 October 2007
Ramadan Kareem!
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There are several holidays around the world that are celebrated in the true spirit of rejoicing humanity. Celebrations are centered around praying, spending time with family and friends, and feasting. Rather than gifting one another, people tend to donate to charities and temples. Diwali, in India is one of them. Mind you, there is some commercialism involved, which is buying firecrackers for children. However, for Indians happiness of children is as important as serving God. This is my opinion.
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