Source & Credit: The Advertiser
ByJennifer Pelley for The Advertiser
A joyous recurring occasion | People of all faiths gather to celebrate Muslim holy day
About 170 people of many different faiths from central recently gathered to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, which marked the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
In Islam, there are two Eids - one that marks the end of Ramadan and another that is celebrated following a pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Although the population of central Newfoundland is predominantly Christian, Dr. Mohamed Boodhun still invited hundreds of people to celebrate Eid with him and his family.
"I have to let them know that I'm very grateful to them," he said. "I cannot keep on saying with my words, because these are the people that have been very kind to us over here. Every opportunity that I have to do anything good for them, I look forward to that.
"I feel that if I share certain good things, you will come to know me better and maybe I will also erase some of the wrong information that other Muslims are doing in the world in the name of religion."
Dr. Boodhun and his family also want to open up their religion to the people of central Newfoundland, recognizing that it is often the case that people of all faiths tend to celebrate among themselves.
"But Christians invite me for Christmas," he said. "I go to Christmas dinner at the Barkers always. People have different beliefs because religion is personal, but that doesn't mean we cannot live together as a civilized society.
"Here, if I was to only celebrate Eid only with Muslims, there would only be three or four families involved. But I always enjoyed your fish cakes, so why do you not come and enjoy my samosas and my chicken tikka? It has to be mutual."
RAMADAN
Ramadan is the most blessed month in the Islamic year, observed annually as a time of reflection to attain righteousness and the pleasure of God. Prayer, fasting, charity and self-accountability are stressed during this time.
Muslims use it as a sort of training month for how they should behave throughout the year.
One full lunar month is set aside for Ramadan each year, with Muslims around the world fasting every day from the first appearance of dawn until sunset. During this period, they are expected to abstain from all food and drink completely, as well as restraining themselves from vain talk, quarrels, or any activity that is below the dignity of a decent human being.
"You see, Ramadan is a package," said Dr. Boodhun. "It's not only abstaining from food. It is abstaining from all of the bad values also. If, for example, I am fasting but I lie to you, then I am fasting for nothing. It means I am just punishing my own body."
Due to the fact that Ramadan falls during a lunar month, it takes place at a different time each year - 11 days earlier than the previous Ramadan - to create a balance for worshippers all around the world. When Ramadan falls in the winter months, it is not as difficult to fast because of the shorter days - Muslims have to fast about 10 hours a day at that time.
However, during the summer months when the time between sunrise and sunset is much longer, fasting becomes more arduous. By having it at different times each year, all Muslims around the world will have to fast during more and less difficult times.
Fasting allows Muslims, through their personal experiences, to understand what hunger, poverty, loneliness and discomfort means to those less fortunate in society.
Besides fasting, Muslims wake up hours before dawn for individual prayer and the remembrance of God. The Quran is recited in every Muslim house during this time much more than in ordinary times of the year, and alms-giving and care for the destitute are parts of everyday life during Ramadan.
However, fasting is not meant for all Muslims during Ramadan. For those who are sick or travelling, they are expected to fast only once they have recovered from their illness or have completed their journey.
For those who are chronically sick, they are not supposed to fast at all, nor are children or the elderly.
"As God says in the Quran, it is not supposed to become a burden for everybody, it is supposed to be ease for people, to help them attain righteousness," said Dr. Boodhun.
Fasting is not an easy practice, particularly in the first several days. Those who fast often feel weak and suffer from headaches.
However, Dr. Boodhun says it is a matter of the body growing accustomed to it.
"I've been fasting for more than 30 years now and haven't missed a single one, so it's not difficult for me," he said. "Is it difficult to run a marathon? For me, I would be out of breath after 100 metres, but for those who are used to it, they will be able to do it."
Ramadan also gives Muslims a time to reflect on their lives and what they can do in order to become better people.
"If at the end of Ramadan, if I am a better neighbour, a better doctor and a better friend, then it means it has achieved some purpose," said Dr. Boodhun. "Ramadan is to help us increase in righteousness and if, at the end of Ramadan when we take stock of our own conduct, our behaviour is better than before, it means our Ramadan has been meaningful. Otherwise, it was an exercise in futility."
Dr. Boodhun said he was pleased by the response he received from the region for his Eid celebration, enjoying the fact that he was able to celebrate such an important occasion for him with so many people.
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