The essence of Ramadan is to become humble
Muslims around the world will begin fasting from june 18 2015 and for a whole month thereafter, however, for some it will
begin only if the moon is sighted.
Since the beginning of Islam, there have been
debates as to what constitutes moon sighting. Some interpret that there has to
be a minion to declare that they have seen it themselves with their own eyes,
where some others do not accept the holiday unless they have seen it themselves.
In the United States, there is an organization that monitors moon sighting
called the Hilal committee. At one time it was acceptable if the moon was
sighted elsewhere, but now, each group has to have their own moon
sighting.
Politics runs deeply in our communities, be it
a temple, synagogue or a church, and mosques are no different. A few
scientifically-inclined-Muslims have adopted NASA's calculation, believed to be
precise. However, four different traditions are operative concurrently; i)
Strictly Calendar, ii) NASA and iii) Sighting with bare eyes and iv) Sighting by
others in the community.
The NASA-oriented and the calendar-group misses
out the fun, joy and exhilaration of waiting and watching the needle thin moon
on the horizon. The whole family gets out on the roof tops, or higher grounds,
some even climb electric poles, and a few will drive out where they can see the
sky without obstacles, kids would climb up on parent's shoulders, and a few run
from place to place shouting in excitement, did you see? It is like the belief
in Santa Claus, angels and other myths; each tradition fulfills one's emotional
needs and every one becomes sentimental. After all, if celebration does not have
the excitement, it is less of a celebration.
America's spirit of freedom touches every soul,
no matter what religion or tradition they follow. American Muslims are no
different, they prefer to have a pre-set date to start fasting and the
celebration called "Eid" (pronounced as 'Eeed'). The idea is for them to take a
day off from work or get an optional day off for their children from the
schools. Always, the joy multiplies when the family and friends celebrate it
together. They prefer not wait for the moon to show up to the bare eyes.
The conflict is the same every where on the
earth. Each group subscribes to one of the four systems mentioned above. America
is no different; you will find celebrations on one or three different days in
any given city. The Sunnis, being the largest group has the greater division
within, while the Shias, Ismailis, WD Mohammad, Bohra and Ahmadiyya follow the
pre-determined dates. The consensus may be attributable to having central
spiritual leadership in all groups except the Sunni. However like the American
public wishes to see Republicans and Democrats drop the party lines and focus on
what is good for America, the Muslims also wish they could celebrate the Eid on
one single day. It ain't going to happen; it is human to disagree.
It is against the spirit of Ramadan to
denigrate, diminish and devalue other practices. The essence of Ramadan is to
become humble, simple and free from ill-will, anger, meanness and hate.
Let's fill our hearts with goodwill and honor
Ramadan by saying "Eid Mubarak" or Happy Eid to every one who celebrates on a
different day in the same town. The essence of Ramadan is joy and let's not
prick any one's bubble; God has not signed a pact with any one behind others
back, let's rejoice the differences of interpretations. If you want to celebrate
every day, go to every celebration.
In the spirit of Ramadan, I pray that Ramadan
gets into our hearts and minds and make us embrace all factions of Muslims
without undermining their tradition and further pray that we treat every human
on the earth with dignity, respect and care.
That is indeed the wisdom expressed in Qur'an,
Al-Hujurat, Surah 49:13: "O mankind! We have created you male and female, and
have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. The noblest of
you, in sight of God, is the best in conduct. God Knows and is Aware of
everything you do."
Ramadan
Mubarak!
Abdirahman Warsame
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