The holy month of Ramadan is here and for many Oklahoma Muslims that means a time of fasting, and dummies like me asking why they’re fasting.
Before he got too hangry, Adam Soltani – Executive Director of CAIR OK – dropped some Ramadan knowledge on me:
“Ramadan is just one of the five pillars or requirements of the Islamic faith. The others include testimony of faith, praying five times a day, charity, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. It’s a time of spiritual enrichment, and that is done through sacrificing what God commanded…that Muslims must fast during this holy month of Ramadan.”
Tasneem Ahmad Al-Michael – Central Regional Organizer of the Oklahoma Policy Institute – imparted more fasting facts:
“It was instructed by our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that Muslims fast from all forms of sustenance like food or water…sexual activities, and worldly pursuits…from sunrise to sunset.”
For those who are spiritually weak like me, there are other ways to participate in Ramadan.