Ramadan began today, Wednesday, Aug. 11, with sighting of the new moon.

For the thousands of Muslims in Western Washington, the Holy Month of Fasting (Ramadan) is an annual ritual they look forward to every year.
 
“O ye who believe!  Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may learn self –restraint… (2:183 Holy Qur’an)

The verse in the Holy Quran enjoins fasting as it was prescribed to those who came before; Moses, peace be upon him, fasted, Jesus, peace be upon him, fasted, but as an institution, fasting has been overlooked and undermined over the years.

During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset. This month is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. 

The fast of Ramadan is performed in order to learn discipline, self-restraint and generosity while obeying God's commandments.

Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayer, charity and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the "five pillars" of the Islamic faith. Those exempted from fasting include young children, the elderly, travelers, the sick and pregnant or nursing women. 

Over the years I take Ramadan as an opportunity to reach out to other faith partners.  I have found it to be a time to focus on faith as well as being a better human being.  God command Muslims to be more disciplined, self-restrained and generous during Ramadan.

In the past few weeks, I have spoken to many of my Christian friends about the importance of fasting as an Abrahamic tradition.  All of the Abrahamic faiths observe some form of fasting, as it’s mentioned in the Bible, Old and New Testament, Torah and the Quran.   Fasting has practically been an institution within itself. 

I have fasted since childhood, and I find it helps me to be more compassionate and kind toward others while providing inner strength to my soul.  As a Muslim, I must be a good example daily, exemplifying self-control in my behavior. 

Today more than ever we all need to be better to one another, and by treating others with kindness and compassion, we can help eliminating selfishness, self-centeredness and the serious, negative social effects we currently see in the world today. 

Since the Muslim calendar is lunar, Ramadan begins about 10 days earlier each year, thus fasting is taking place during the month of August this year and may be a bit more challenging.

Perhaps the two most important and significant aspects of Ramadan, for me, is the opportunity to start over new and clean my slate of sins, while developing a deeper more conscious relationship with God.  It is a chance for sincere individuals to repent while being pious and at doing righteous work. 

The prophet Muhammad said, “A person who fasts the month of Ramadan with faith, self scrutiny, and does it purely for the sake of God, will have his past sins forgiven.” 

I plan to work hard this month to increase my spirituality and be a better human being.  Fasting has always been a part of the Abrahamic tradition, and while Ramadan can cleanse my actions and deeds, it’s also a wonderful time to come closer to the creator and increase my spirituality.