Fast So We Can be Full

SAMIRA GUTOC-TOMAWIS
YMPN Mindanao Coordinator
Producer, Lanao Today (on facebook) 
Mindanao Youth Speak Program Manager
 

There's a bigger battle coming. And it's a war zone without fences. Inside the hearts of  millions of Muslim adults and teenagers the world over, this coming Holy Month of Fast, when they have to fight hunger and temptation, starting August 1.

Recovering from floods and rehabilitation from conflict may be affecting some communities but there is no stopping the observance  of the Holy Month of Ramadhan. Night becomes day for Muslims who will have "breakfast" at night and dine in the morning. Thirty days of no food,  water, sex twelve hours in the daytime is mind-boggling to some. But to Muslims, it is a matter of excitement and cause for preparation.

Fasting is one of the five pillars in Islam (aside from prayer, charity, pilgrimage to Mecca and Declaring There is One God but Allah but Muhammad is His Messenger) observed during Ramadhan. Ramadhan is the ninth month in the Islamic Lunar year and is the month when the Holy Q’uran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and therefore  is considered to be a period of spiritual glory. During this month, Muslims strive to be pure inside and out - in thoughts, words and in deeds by being more temperate and guarded, reading Qur'an and being more prayerful.

In the Philippines and even in other countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, Ramadhan is a time for merry-making and gift-giving. Just like in the Christmas season of the Christians, there are a lot of activities being conducted in light of the celebration. There are contests and festivities during the night (such that daytime is the time for fasting) which includes fireworks display and food feasts. At the end of the month, Muslims have to give charity to the poor.

Truly, Ramadhan is instrumental in forging peace between those who are in conflict. It provides a time to reflect upon our past and our present. It is the time when people from different walks of life - young, old, rich, poor, men and women - are gathered together in a moment of joy and happiness and spiritual realization. It is a time when understanding is given a chance to create trailblazers towards peace and prosperity.

This Ramadhan can be a time and space for non-Muslims to observe our special Month. There can be cultural shows and exchanges that would showcase the colorful and exquisite arts  of  the Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Yakan, Iranun and other Muslim cultural groups in the Philippines. Through this, we open the way to reminding the youth of today about their roots and their wonderful culture thereby countering strong Western pop influence. We make them appreciate the wonders and mystique of the Mindanao Muslim culture and we invite them to preserve this culture.

It is true that fasting is not the total solution to the problems that we face today. But it cannot be denied likewise that through sacrifice , we contribute to  achieving our noble aspirations as part of a nation of believers in One Mighty God, by being governors of ourselves first.  This one month of hunger eventually builds the path towards loving others , a society based on sharing,  making  peace for a lifetime.#