Monrovia – Muslims in Liberia on Wednesday joined millions of counterparts worldwide in prayer marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan with a message calling for the maintenance of Peace and security in Liberia. The prayer signifies the climax of 30 days of fast and Prayer by Liberian Muslims.
Report by: Henry Karmo (0886522495) [email protected]
In his intercessory message, Deputy Chief Imam of Liberia, Ali Krayee, called on fellow Muslims to continue to do the good things they did during the period of fasting. He called for unity among Liberians and commended the Liberian Government for the level of security provided for all Liberians.
According to Islam, Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspections and prayers. Fasting is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam. Each day during Ramadan, followers of Islam, known as Muslims, do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset.
They are also supposed to avoid impure thoughts and bad behaviors. During the period, the Muslims break fasts daily by sharing meals with family and friends. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with a day festival known as Id al-Fitr which is considered one of Islam’s major holidays.
Islam is the world’s second largest religion, after Christianity, with more than 1 billion followers. Islam originated in Arabia, but has spread all over the world.
Countries with the largest Muslim populations include Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey and Iran. There are an estimated 7 million Muslims in America, along with Islamic places of worship, called mosques, in all 50 states in America.
Muslims believe that around 610 A.D. a man named Muhammad (c.570-632) from the Arabian city of Mecca started receiving revelations from God, or Allah, via the angel Gabriel. The revelations were collected into a 114-chapter of the holy book known as the Quran (or Koran), which Muslims believe contains the exact words of God.
Muhammad is the final prophet in a line of Islamic prophets (including Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus) who were chosen by God to act as messengers and teach mankind.
Muslims believe there is one, all-known God, from who people can achieve salvation by following his commandments. In Arabic, Islam means “submission” or “surrender” (to God).
Islam also teaches a series of formal acts of worship, known as the Five Pillars of Islam which are fundamental to the lives of Muslims. The pillars include shahada (a declaration of faith:
“There is no deity but God, and Muhammad is the messenger of God”); prayer (Muslims pray five times a day); zakat (charitable giving); fasting; and pilgrimage and making trips, or “Hajj,” to the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, at least once in a lifetime if they are physically and financially able).
Ramadan: A Month of Fasting and Introspection
Ramadan is the ninth month of the 12-month Islamic calendar, which is lunar and based on the phases of the moon. The lunar calendar falls short of the solar calendar by 11 days.
As a result, Ramadan doesn’t start on the same date each year but passes through all the seasons. Ramadan is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of what became the Quran.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk each day. They are supposed to avoid eating, drinking, smoking and sexual activity, as well as unkind or impure thoughts and words, and immoral behavior.
Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint and self-reflection. Fasting is seen as a way to cleanse the soul and have empathy for those in the world who are hungry and less fortunate.
Muslims go to work and school and take care of their usual activities during Ramadan; however, some also read the entire Quran, say special prayers and attend mosques more frequently during this time.
All Muslims who have reached puberty and are in good health are required to fast.
The sick and elderly, along with travelers, pregnant women and those who are nursing are exempt, although they are supposed to make up for the missed fast days sometime in the future or help feed the poor.
The first pre-dawn meal of the day during Ramadan is called “suhoor.” Each day’s fast is broken with a meal known as “iftar.”
Traditionally, a date is eaten to break the fast. Iftars are often elaborate feasts celebrated with family and friends. The types of foods served vary according to culture.
Breaking the Ramadan Fast: Id al-Fitr
The conclusion of Ramadan is marked with a major celebration known as Id al-Fitr (or Eid al-Fitr), the Feast of Fast-Breaking. It starts the day after Ramadan ends and lasts for three days. Id al-Fitr includes special prayers and meals with friends and relatives, and gifts are often exchanged.
President Sirleaf Congratulates Liberian Muslims
Meanwhile President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has congratulated Liberian Muslims and colleagues across the world on the occasion of the successful end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf on behalf of the government, the people of Liberia and in her own name, expressed delight over the milestone achievement of Liberians Muslims in their lives. She then urged all Muslims to join other Liberians to pray for peaceful co-existence and prosperity in our land for the sake of future generations.
The Liberian leader noted that more than fourteen centuries ago, Muslims believe that the Almighty Allah commanded Mohammed (SAW) that all adherents of the Islamic faith abstain from food, drink and select activities during the month of Ramadan to cleanse their souls and show obedience to God.
Accordingly, during this period, Muslims are required to show kindness and generosity to all human beings and other creatures while every Muslim is specifically commanded to share with his or her neighbors whatever material wealth God has bestowed upon him or her.
President observed that this year, as always, Liberian Muslims joined other Muslims the world over, to dutifully observe the Month of Ramadan, abstaining from food and drink during the day and fervently praying for the Nation, and at the same time also called upon to avoid gossips and backbiting, as well as other social ills.
She particularly noted that Ramadan 2016 ends just few days after the UNMIL officially handed over national security responsibilities to our security forces.
She added that – Liberian Muslims and Christians alike, including all other groups within our Nation are equally and fully responsible for the security, prosperity and reconciliation of our common patrimony.
President Sirleaf concluded as saying: “This, fellow Liberians, is an opportunity, as well as a challenge, for us to resume our traditional role in Africa as a people at peace with themselves and at peace with their neighbors. Our neighbors and the world at large are watching us. We must not fail. Once again, I urge all Liberians to continue to pray for our country”.