Australia: Canberra's Muslims begin Ramadan

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"We also have to refrain from sex. You have to be more diligent in prayer and help out people in need. There's a restraint on sin and an increased focus on good deeds."

Photo: Graham Tidy

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | AU Desk
Source/Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald
By Stephen Jeffery | June 11, 2016

[Excerpts]

Charity, self-reflection and patience are not usually exercised during Australian election campaigns.

But for the country's Muslims, those themes will be key for the remainder of the election cycle as they enter the sacred month of Ramadan.

For Canberra's Muslims, that means fasting from just before 6am through to 5pm every day, before gathering with family and friends for dinner and prayers in the evening.

Most worshippers began Ramadan on Monday, though the interpretation of when to start the month varies among Muslims.

Some feel they need to see the slim crescent moon, or Hilal, that signifies the start of Ramadan in person, while others set a fixed point based on astronomical calculations of lunar phases.
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Ahmadiyya ACT Elders branch president Khalid Syed said one of the misconceptions many non-Muslims held about Ramadan was that fasting applied only to food during daylight hours.

"We have to abstain from both solid food and liquid from dawn to sunset," he said.

"We also have to refrain from sex. You have to be more diligent in prayer and help out people in need. There's a restraint on sin and an increased focus on good deeds."

Children, pregnant women, the sick and the elderly are exempt from fasting during Ramadan, which is expected to end on July 5.




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Stephen Jeffery is The Canberra Times reporter

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