"Ramadan Kareem” - Enjoy A Blessed and Happy Ramadan!
As Muslims celebrate another holy Ramadan, the Liberian Swedish Association, LSA wishes all Muslims, particularly LSA's members who are Muslims "Ramadan Kareem”- urging them to enjoy a blessed and happy Ramadan!
Few facts about Ramadan:
The festival of Ramadan is celebrated in the the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which is considered the holiest month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims across the world.
During Ramadan, Muslims are required to elevate their level of spiritual and physical submission to God, by way of fasting from dawn to dusk. This practice is based on the Quranic injunction - to fast for a fixed number of days, during which time they are required to abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours throughout the month of Ramadan.
At the end of each fasting day, in the evening, Muslims break their fast by eating meals, known as Iftar with family and/or friends. It is believed that by refraining from food and water throughout the day of fasting, one understands the pain and suffering of other people and gets closer to Allah, the almighty God. The breaking of the fast is followed up with the Maghrib prayer, the fourth of the five daily prayers in Islam.
Ramadan is also a time for spiritual reflection, prayer, and charitable giving. Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran during the month of Ramadan, and many mosques offer daily prayers and study groups. Muslims are also expected to give to charity during Ramadan, with many mosques and charitable organizations organizing food drives and other initiatives to help those in need.
According to Islamic culture and beliefs. the origins of Ramadan can be traced back to the seventh century when the Prophet Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran - the holy book of Islam. The revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad is said to begin on the 27th night of Ramadan, a night that is known as Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power. Muslims believe that the night of Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest night of the year and that praying on this night is more valuable than praying for a thousand months.
Ramadan Mubarak!