This year’s observance of Ramadan will focus on the local communities’ commitment to sustain peace, said Sakiran Hajan, a former official of the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA).
“For this year, we reiterate the commitment of every Muslim in the Visayas, particularly in Cebu, to always work together with law enforcement agencies and local government units to sustain peace that we are already enjoying,” Hajan told the press.“We call for all Muslims to re-affirm their commitment to peace,” he added.
During Ramadan, which is considered the holiest month in the religion of Islam, believers strictly observe fasting from sunrise to sunset for 30 consecutive days, and engage in pious activities such as charitable works and peace-making.
The religious tradition dictates that for 30 days, all Muslims shall not take food and drinks, not even water, from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. They can only eat after 6 p.m. and before 4 a.m.
“This is observed by Muslims all over the world wherein we do good, and abstain from bad things. We observe fasting not only from food, drinks and vices. We can’t engage in trouble, exchange bad words with brother Muslims and non-Muslims,” Hajan added.
In the evening, well-to-do Muslims share their food and drinks with the poor, especially after breaking the fast, so they can also receive more blessings.
On ordinary days, Muslims are supposed to pray five times a day between 5 a.m. and midnight. These are the dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening prayers.
At this time of the year, the Tarawi or a congregation prayer will be performed with eight to 20 Rakaat. Rakaat is the “submission of one’s self as if he were talking to God, eight to 20 times.”
By BAP
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