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RAMADAN<br />

How Non-Muslim Host Families can<br />

Better Prepare and Support<br />

Muslim Students During Ramadan


Have questions? CECF has answers!<br />

Contact Imam Arafat and his trained staff at CECF with<br />

questions about Ramadan, <strong>Islam</strong>, or any questions<br />

about hosting a practicing Muslim student.<br />

Imam Arafat, CECF<br />

Email: cecf1@aol.com Phone: 410-944-6077<br />

For years CECF has advised YES students and host families with<br />

practical advice to help happy exchange experiences and<br />

encourage multi-religious, multi-cultural understanding.


Quick <strong>Islam</strong>ic Definitions<br />

~ <strong>Islam</strong>: Surrender to the will of the one God, called Allah in Arabic<br />

(Muslim’s religion/way of life)<br />

~ Muslim: Believer of <strong>Islam</strong><br />

~ Five Pillars of <strong>Islam</strong>: Obligatory duties of all <strong>Muslims</strong><br />

~ Qur’an: Blessed book of God’s words revealed to the Last<br />

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)<br />

through Angel Gabriel<br />

~ Shahadah: Declaration of Faith ~ The first pillar which states<br />

“I testify that there is no god but God and I testify that<br />

Muhammad is the Messenger of God”


Fasting in Ramadan is 1 of the 5 Pillars of <strong>Islam</strong><br />

~ Obligatory month of fasting for<br />

adult <strong>Muslims</strong> from dawn to sunset.<br />

~ The Qur’an was revealed during this<br />

month.<br />

~ <strong>Muslims</strong> believe that Fasting &<br />

Performing Night Prayers with<br />

sincere faith is a means to having<br />

one’s sins forgiven.<br />

~ <strong>Muslims</strong> believe that the gates of<br />

Heaven are opened, gates of Hell<br />

are closed, and the devil is chained<br />

up during Ramadan.


What Does It Mean to Fast?<br />

~ <strong>Muslims</strong> must fast from dawn to sunset every day.<br />

~ Food, drinks, sexual relations or smoking during the<br />

daylight hours is not allowed.<br />

~ One is expected to do his best to practice self control<br />

& discipline,<br />

~ Control anger,<br />

~ Refrain from using harsh language or insults, and<br />

~ To tolerate, forgive and respect others.


Benefits of Fasting<br />

~ Builds self-control and will-power to better resist worldly<br />

temptations (such as excessive food intake, drugs or other<br />

unhealthy substances), peer-pressure, and refrain from unhealthy<br />

behaviors.<br />

~ Helps one to feel compassion for the poor and needy.<br />

~ Helps one appreciate the many blessings and gifts (such as comfort<br />

and convenience) one possesses.<br />

~ Purifies one’s body* and soul.<br />

~ Opportunity to reflect and appreciate Faith and Family.<br />

~ Develop a greater sense of generosity and forgiveness.<br />

* Numerous scientific research proves that there are many health benefits of<br />

a Muslim’s annual fast during the month of Ramadan.


Ramadan Greetings<br />

~ Ramadan Mubarak:<br />

Blessed Ramadan<br />

~ Ramadan Kareem:<br />

Generous Ramadan


Who is Excused from Fasting?<br />

~ Who Should Fast?<br />

~ One who reaches puberty<br />

~ Who are excused from fasting and must make up their fast after Ramadan?<br />

~ Long-Distant Traveler<br />

~ Pregnant and Nursing Women<br />

~ Menstruating Women<br />

~ Who are excused from fasting and do not need to make up their fast?<br />

However, they (or their guardians) are required to feed the poor and needy.<br />

~ Physically and Mentally Challenged<br />

~ Elderly


More Helpful <strong>Islam</strong>ic Definitions<br />

~ Adhan (Azan): Call to Prayer<br />

~ Fajr: Dawn Prayer<br />

~ Suhoor: Pre Dawn meal consumed before the Adhan for Fajr<br />

~ Maghrib: Sunset Prayer<br />

~ Iftar: “Break—fast”. The evening meal breaking the fast after the<br />

Adhan for Maghrib<br />

~ Ishaa: Night Prayer<br />

~ Taraweeh: Prayers made after Ishaa, preferred in congregation at the<br />

masjid (mosque)


Interpreting the Muslim Prayer Calendar<br />

Day Ramadan Gregoria<br />

n<br />

Fajr Sunrise Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha<br />

Wed 1 11/8 5:13 6:38 1:40 5:32 8:40 10:07<br />

Thu 2 12/8 5:15 6:39 1:40 5:31 8:39 10:05<br />

Fri 3 13/8 5:16 6:40 1:40 5:31 8:37 10:03<br />

Sat 4 14/8 5:17 6:41 1:39 5:30 8:36 10:01<br />

Sun 5 15/8 5:19 6:42 1:39 5:29 8:34 10:00<br />

Mon 6 16/8 5:20 6:43 1:39 5:29 8:33 9:58<br />

Tue 7 17/8 5:22 6:44 1:39 5:28 8:32 9:56<br />

Wed 8 18/8 5:23 6:45 1:39 5:27 8:30 9:54<br />

Thu 9 19/8 5:24 6:46 1:38 5:27 8:29 9:52<br />

Fri 10 20/8 5:26 6:47 1:38 5:26 8:27 9:50<br />

Sat 11 21/8 5:27 6:48 1:38 5:25 8:26 9:49<br />

Sun 12 22/8 5:28 6:49 1:38 5:24 8:24 9:47<br />

Mon 13 23/8 5:30 6:50 1:37 5:24 8:22 9:45<br />

Tue 14 24/8 5:31 6:51 1:37 5:23 8:21 9:43<br />

Wed 15 25/8 5:32 6:52 1:37 5:22 8:19 9:41<br />

Thu 16 26/8 5:34 6:54 1:36 5:21 8:18 9:39<br />

Fri 17 27/8 5:35 6:55 1:36 5:20 8:16 9:37<br />

Sat 18 28/8 5:36 6:56 1:36 5:19 8:14 9:35<br />

Sun 19 29/8 5:38 6:57 1:36 5:18 8:13 9:34<br />

Mon 20 30/8 5:39 6:58 1:35 5:17 8:11 9:32<br />

Tue 21 31/8 5:40 6:59 1:35 5:16 8:10 9:30<br />

Wed 22 1/9 5:41 7:00 1:35 5:15 8:08 9:28<br />

Thu 23 2/9 5:43 7:01 1:34 5:14 8:06 9:26<br />

Fri 24 3/9 5:44 7:02 1:34 5:13 8:05 9:24<br />

Sat 25 4/9 5:45 7:03 1:34 5:12 8:03 9:22<br />

Sun 26 5/9 5:46 7:04 1:33 5:11 8:01 9:20<br />

Mon 27 6/9 5:48 7:05 1:33 5:10 8:00 9:18<br />

Tue 28 7/9 5:49 7:06 1:33 5:09 7:58 9:16<br />

Wed 29 8/9 5:50 7:07 1:32 5:08 7:56 9:15<br />

Thu 30 9/9 5:51 7:08 1:32 5:07 7:54 9:13<br />

Calendar shown is for Ramadan 2010 Prayer Time Schedule<br />

~ Important Points for Prayer:<br />

• <strong>Muslims</strong> must cleanse themselves (wudu)<br />

before prayer (2 minutes).<br />

• <strong>Muslims</strong> must pray on a clean, quiet area<br />

(For example, on a prayer rug in the<br />

corner of their bedroom).<br />

• Typical Muslim prayer takes<br />

approximately 3 -15 minutes, depending<br />

which prayer it is.<br />

(The Recommended Night Ramadan<br />

(Taraweeh) prayers may take hours. This is<br />

not required ).<br />

~ Tips How to Interpret the Prayer Time Table<br />

(Specifically During Ramadan):<br />

• Suhoor (Pre Dawn meal before the fast must<br />

be completed before Fajr).<br />

• Fajr = Muslim’s dawn prayer when fasting<br />

begins.<br />

• Maghrib = Muslim’s sunset prayer when<br />

fasting ends.<br />

~ Recommended Calendar:<br />

~ http://islamicfinder.org<br />

(English version)


So, When Does Ramadan Begin?<br />

~ Ramadan is expected to<br />

begin August 11, 2010<br />

(God willing).<br />

~ Ramadan begins when the<br />

crescent moon is sighted.<br />

~ How do you know? Ask<br />

your local masjid (mosque)<br />

or any Muslim community.


Typical Day During Ramadan<br />

~ Suhoor<br />

Waking Up Before Sunrise (Fajr) to Have a PreDawn Meal.<br />

~ Fasting<br />

From Dawn to Sunset.<br />

~ Iftar<br />

“Break—fast”. The Evening Meal Breaking One’s Fast.<br />

~ Taraweeh<br />

Recommended Ramadan Prayers made after Ishaa.<br />

~ Time to Reflect by Reading Qur’an or Making Supplications<br />

(Du’a).


~ Your student will eat Suhoor<br />

(PreDawn Meal)<br />

~ Then, pray Fajr<br />

~ Possibly read Qur’an<br />

~ Return to sleep<br />

Typical Suhoor<br />

Getting up for suhoor will<br />

be around 4:15 am this<br />

year. (2010)


Recommended Foods<br />

~ Dates and Water ~<br />

~ Slow-digesting foods that last up to 8 hours. Slow-digesting foods<br />

are foods that contain grains and seeds like barley, wheat, oats,<br />

millet, semolina, beans, lentils, whole meal flour, unpolished rice, etc.<br />

(called complex carbohydrates).<br />

~ Fiber: Fiber-containing foods are bran-containing foods, whole<br />

wheat, grains and seeds, vegetables like green beans, peas, marrow,<br />

spinach, and other herbs like the leaves of beetroot (iron-rich), fruit<br />

with skin, dried fruit, especially dried apricots, figs and prunes,<br />

almonds, etc.<br />

~ Well-balanced meals, containing foods from each food group, i.e.<br />

fruits, vegetables, meat/chicken/fish, bread/cereals and dairy<br />

products.


Not Recommended or Forbidden Foods<br />

~ Not Recommended Foods:<br />

~ Fast-burning foods are foods that contain sugar, white flour,<br />

etc. (called refined carbohydrates).<br />

~ Fried foods are unhealthy and should be limited. They cause<br />

indigestion, heart-burn, and weight problems.<br />

~ Forbidden Foods<br />

~ Pork and Pork Products<br />

~ Alcohol<br />

~ Non-Halal Meat*<br />

*Halal meat is preferred, however, in a non-Muslim country where halal meat is not<br />

readily available, it is acceptable for a Muslim to say<br />

"Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) over the non-halal meat.


Tips for Making Suhoor Easier<br />

for You & Your Student<br />

~ Prepare food & set it out the night before.<br />

~ Quick & easy protein-rich foods include, cheese, olives, hard-boiled eggs,<br />

jam served with bread.<br />

~ Drinks: While some cultures like tea, it is preferred to drink rich fruit<br />

juices, milk and water.<br />

~ Religious Preference is to start & break one’s fast with water and dried<br />

dates.<br />

~ ASK ~ Your student may have some preferences that you can shop<br />

together & learn more about each other.<br />

~ It is not recommended that you try and surprise your student by guessing<br />

his/her favorite food because it can be expensive (buying from the world<br />

market section of your supermarket) and impractical if you don’t know<br />

how to prepare it, or worse he/she doesn’t like it.


Typical Ramadan Day<br />

Recommended Duties During The Day<br />

~ Fast<br />

~ Read & Recite the Qur’an<br />

~ Perform extra good deeds (such as volunteering)<br />

~ Give alms (Charity to the poor and needy)


Common Problems & Solutions<br />

~ Common Problems:<br />

~ Lethargy and being<br />

tired<br />

~ Periodic headache,<br />

constipation<br />

~ Low blood pressure,<br />

or gastritis<br />

~ Caffeine withdrawal<br />

~ Solutions:<br />

~ Encourage your<br />

student to partake in the<br />

recommended duties of<br />

the previous slide.<br />

~ Allow him/her to rest,<br />

and relax.<br />

~ Prepare iftar together &<br />

discuss the benefits of<br />

the pious act of fasting.<br />

(This is a very rewarding<br />

experience).<br />

~ Praise his/her efforts.


~ <strong>Muslims</strong> break their fast with<br />

water & dates or light food.<br />

~ It is recommended that one break<br />

their fast first, pray Maghrib and<br />

then have their main meal, so<br />

don’t be surprised if your<br />

student doesn’t run to the dinner<br />

table ;-)<br />

~ Don’t be alarmed if your student<br />

does not eat all of his/her meal<br />

immediately. A gradual approach<br />

is spiritually and biologically<br />

preferred.<br />

~ During your snacks & meals,<br />

please try not to eat in front of<br />

your student.<br />

Tips for Iftar<br />

Iftar will be approximately 8:45pm<br />

this year (2010). It is not expected<br />

that you would change your meal<br />

times for your student, but your<br />

company during their Iftar is<br />

appreciated.


Typical Taraweeh with Tips<br />

~ One may pray and recite<br />

Qur’an by themselves at<br />

home, however<br />

~ It is preferred at the masjid<br />

since many rewards are<br />

given to those who can<br />

pray in congregation.<br />

~ Tip: Encourage your<br />

student to pray Taraweeh<br />

in the masjid on weekend<br />

nights.


The Night of Power (Laylat-al-Qadr)<br />

& The Last Ten Days of Ramadan<br />

~ The Qur'an was first revealed to<br />

Prophet Muhammad, peace be<br />

upon him.<br />

~ It falls on one of the oddnumbered<br />

nights of the last ten<br />

days of the month (21st, 23rd,<br />

25th, or 27th of Ramadan).<br />

~ <strong>Muslims</strong> believe that worship on<br />

this night is more valuable than a<br />

thousand months.<br />

~ Therefore, many <strong>Muslims</strong> spend<br />

the entire last ten days in extra<br />

worship or retreat to the masjid.


Eid ul-Fitr (Festival of the Fast)<br />

~ Eid Greeting: Eid Mubarak<br />

(Blessed Festival)<br />

~ Once the crescent moon of Shawwal appears,<br />

Ramadan is completed & the Festival of the month<br />

of fasting (Eid ul-Fitr) begins.<br />

~ Typical events:<br />

~ <strong>Muslims</strong> observe Eid prayer which is performed in<br />

congregation after fajr but before dhuhr (mid-day<br />

prayer),<br />

~ <strong>Muslims</strong> wear their best clothes,<br />

~ Visit family & friends, and<br />

~ Enjoy a feast.<br />

~ In our house, we say<br />

“Eid = Festival or Feast: Food, Family, Friends & Fun!”


~ Eating or drinking out of<br />

forgetfulness is okay.<br />

~ “Our Lord! Punish us not<br />

if we forget or fall into<br />

error”[Qur’an 2:286]<br />

~ Fasting is still valid if one does<br />

not have Suhoor (PreDawn Meal).<br />

~ The Prophet (peace and<br />

blessings be upon him) said:<br />

“Have suhoor, for in suhoor<br />

there is blessing.” (Bukhari).<br />

Don’t Worry!<br />

~ Ramadan is a time for goodness,<br />

blessings, worship & obedience to God;<br />

yet, He is Most Merciful,<br />

~ “And march forth in the way (which leads to)<br />

forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as the<br />

heavens and the earth, prepared for Al-Muttaqoon (the<br />

pious).<br />

~Those who spend (in God’s Cause) in<br />

prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who<br />

pardon men; verily, God loves the good-doers.<br />

~And those who, when they have committed<br />

illegal sexual intercourse or wronged themselves with evil,<br />

remember God and ask forgiveness for their sins; — and<br />

none can forgive sins but God— and do not persist in what<br />

(wrong) they have done, while they know.<br />

~For such, the reward is forgiveness from their<br />

Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath<br />

Paradise, wherein they shall abide forever. How excellent is<br />

this reward for the doers (who do righteous deeds<br />

according to Allah’s Orders)” [Qu’ran 3:133-136]


Acknowledgements<br />

All praise and thanks belong to Allah, the Lord of the Universe. May there be the blessings and peace upon the<br />

last Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions and all those to follow his footsteps. May Allah accept our<br />

work, such as this presentation, as a humble act of worship to please Him and Only Him. May He forgive us if we<br />

misrepresented anything in our deen (religion or way of life) and/or led anyone astray, as this was not our intention<br />

and any errors or faults are of our own, for You are Perfect, The Most Merciful, Most Beneficent. ~Ameen.<br />

May Allah reward Hafiz Abdullah Muhammad www.muslimeye.net/thebestoftimes and the<br />

Quran Study Group of Ilford www.QuranStudyGroup.org for their generous and timely input.<br />

Special Thanks to Val Virag and ACES www.ExploreTheWorld.org and<br />

Sanaa Nelson www.afsusa.org & www.yesprograms.org for providing us<br />

the opportunity to educate others about Our Blessed Month of Ramadan.<br />

Authors:<br />

~Nacema ElOrra, ACES Local Coordinator www.ExploreTheWorld.org &<br />

Contributor www.AmericanMuslimMom.com .<br />

~Ponn M. Sabra, Best-Selling Author & Founder/Owner www.AmericanMuslimMom.com .<br />

Email: ponn@americanmuslimmom.com<br />

~ http://www.AmericanMuslimMom.com is the number one blog community for American Muslim Moms<br />

That offers free tips, tools, reviews, and contests, to help raise pious Muslim Kids today.<br />

The majority of subscribers are non-<strong>Muslims</strong>, so come join us today!


References for Images Used<br />

Slide 1 Image 1 http://www.plus961.com/tag/ramadan/<br />

Slide 3 Image 1 http://alquran-alkareem.com/index.php?wp=5p<br />

Slide 6 Image 1 http://www.muhajabah.com/islamicblog/archives/veiled4allah/010920.php<br />

Slide 9 Image 1 http://islamicfinder.org/<br />

Slide 9 Image 2 http://islamicfinder.org/<br />

Slide 10 Image 1 http://www.examiner.com/x-11140-Portland-Holistic-Health-Examiner~y2009m8d18-Ramadan-Fasting-for-spiritual-reflection-and-renewal<br />

Slide 12 Image 1 http://www.ucsdakdphi.org/2009/07/<br />

Slide 13 Image 1 http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/potassium-superfoods-47020908<br />

Slide 13 Image 2 http://peacefulone.wordpress.com/2008/03/page/2/<br />

Slide 16 Image 1 http://chiditarod.ning.com/profile/Dev<br />

Slide 16 Image 2 http://www.jamiattalibat.org/pages/RamadanSpecialQuran.asp<br />

Slide 16 Image 3 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Allah_alone/message/2093<br />

Slide 18 Image 2 http://www.ezsoftech.com/ramadan/ramadan_tips.asp<br />

Slide 19 Image 1 http://moomeen.blogspot.com/2008/08/taraweeh-prayernight-prayer.html<br />

Slide 20 Image 1 http://theguidinglight.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/eid-greetings/<br />

Slide 21 Image 1 http://alwaysindian.com/blog/category/entertainment/<br />

Slide 21 Image 2 http://sufinews.blogspot.com/2006/12/eid-al-adha-unity-is-dominant-theme-of.html<br />

Slide 21 Image 3 http://www.theage.com.au/national/celebrating-the-joy-of-islam-in-debney-park-20081001-4s1q.html<br />

Slide 21 Image 4 http://www.indianetzone.com/1/id-ul-fitr.htm<br />

Slide 23 Image 1 http://www.muslimeye.net/thebestoftimes/<br />

Slide 23 Image 2 http://www.exploretheworld.org/<br />

Slide 23 Image 3 http://www.afsusa.org/usa_en/home<br />

Slide 23 Image 4 http://www.yesprograms.org/<br />

Slide 23 Image 5 http://americanmuslimmom.com/

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