August 11, 2010

I've Been Thinking:

Today is the first day of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the name of the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is also a month long fast. Muslims fast during the day and eat at night. When they fast it is a total fast, that means no food and no drink.

Ramadan, the Islamic fast, mimics the biblical holy day of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The biblical holiday, the fast of Yom Kippur, is but one day long. The fast of Ramadan is designed as a month of introspection and repentance. Evening break fasts are a celebration of life and family.

During Ramadan the mosques are packed and the Imams are preaching. The people are hungry and introspective. Ramadan is the perfect breeding ground for extremist ideas and actions.

For the West, Ramadan is a time of high alert.

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