A Ramadan reflection: Who do we fast for?

By Marina Mahathir

IT so happened that this Ramadan I had to take an 18-hour flight to Vancouver to attend the wedding of a close friend’s only daughter.
I wouldn’t normally choose to travel during Ramadan but it was a rare opportunity to see my friend’s happiness as she saw her daughter married off.

I did tell a few friends I was going but still, there were several text messages and emails I received during my trip that I had to reply by saying that I was away in Canada. Back came the quick query: how is fasting in Vancouver?

Ordinarily, I suppose fasting in Vancouver would be pretty routine. But I had traveled a long way to attend one event and then pretty much turned around to fly home again. As far as I knew from the Quran, this exempted me from fasting.

In the Surah Al-Baqarah verse 185, God says, “It was the month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was [first] bestowed from on high as a guidance unto man and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false. Hence, whoever of you lives to see this month shall fast throughout it; but he that is ill, or on a journey, [shall fast instead for the same] number of other days. God wills that you shall have ease, and does not will you to suffer hardship.”

Ramadan full of Toxins

Wednesday September 1, 2010

Disturbed in heart and mind
By Marina Mahathir

IT’S very strange, but as we enter our 54th year of independence, what I least feel is independent. It so happened that I had to travel far recently, to a land where the air was a lot cleaner.

I felt that I breathed a lot easier but I don’t think it was just the air. Once you get away, the air just feels so much less toxic.

Indeed, in the month of Ramadan – the month of reflection and restraint – we find instead more toxicity than ever.

From school principals who spout racist nastiness to politicians and media who insist on poisoning what is already a poisoned well.

Instead of the serenity one hopes to feel at this time, in order to feel closer to God, all I can feel is the disturbance in the heart and mind that comes from living in an environment of hate.

Muslims killing Muslims in holy Ramadan

Sunni suicide bomber kills 53 at Shiite rally in Pakistan
Posted: 03 September 2010 1825

QUETTA, Pakistan: At least 53 people were killed and 197 wounded on Friday in a suicide bombing targeting a Shiite Muslim rally in the southwestern city of Quetta, police said.

The bomber was among the 450-strong crowd and detonated on reaching the main square in the city, according to police.

The explosion triggered chaotic scenes, with an angry mob starting fires and shooting into the air while others fled or lay on the ground to avoid the gunfire, they added.

"According to the reports collected from hospitals, 53 people have been killed and 197 have been injured," Sardar Khan, chief of Quetta's police control room, told AFP by telephone.

It was the latest in a string of apparent sectarian attacks, after three suicide bombers killed 31 people and wounded hundreds more on Wednesday at a Shiite mourning procession in the eastern city of Lahore.

Where is the spirit of Ramadan?

The parade of “Muslim sensitivities”: Where is it taking us?
Shape of a Pocket by Jacqueline Ann Surin 20 August 2010

AND so Perkasa has made the news again. And this time by its own doing, not because a media bent on sensationalism tried to cultivate the Malay nationalist group in order to increase readership.

Church plays are seditious and insulting?
In the latest of Perkasa moves, its Petaling chairperson, Zainal Abidin Ahmad, lodged a police report against a Protestant church in Shah Alam and its pastor for planning to stage a Christian play during Ramadan. “We want the church and pastor to be investigated for sedition and for insulting the Sultan,” Zainal Abidin told The Malaysian Insider on 17 Aug 2010. Zainal Abidin also accused the church of deliberately attempting to preach Christianity to Muslims in Muslim-majority Shah Alam.

We may be lulled into thinking that the issue at hand is limited to a Malay, and hence Muslim, rights group making wild and curious allegations against non-Muslim, non-Malay Malaysians. If only that were the case. Unfortunately, much more is involved. Indeed, what is really at stake is the control of public space and what it means for all of us.

Ramadan makes Muslims better Muslims

What The Sun says
Wed, 11 Aug 2010


MUSLIMS began their fasting at dawn today and will continue the daily dawn-to-dusk denial of food and drink for the whole of Ramadan. It is incumbent upon them to observe the fasting as it is one of the five pillars of their faith, Islam.

Ramadan is considered holy as it is during this month 14 centuries ago that the Quran was revealed. Thus Muslims are also encouraged to read the Quran and to contemplate its message as a reminder to them to live according to the guidance contained therein.

During this month Muslims are exhorted to lead exemplary lives, to be charitable and to observe moderation.
When it is time to break their fast at dusk they will not gorge themselves on food but instead eat and drink in moderation. Whatever is forbidden them during the day they can do at night but in moderation and within the bounds of the guidance contained in the Quran.

It is incumbent upon them to restrain themselves in their daily conduct: avoidance of cursing or losing their temper at any one, wasting, lying, cheating and backbiting.

They must avoid all kinds of temptations.

They are also exhorted to be friendly, understanding and tolerant in their dealings and relations with other human beings, be they fellow Muslims or those of other religions.