October - ACO - NATO

KFOR CHRONICLEThe Fast i28Oct. 31, 2005By MAJ Hassan Chbani,Moroccan Army andMr. Armend AqifiKFOR ChronicleRAMADAN: The ninth month ofthe lunar calendar and one of thefive pillars of Islam. Ramadan is atime when Muslims concentrate ontheir faith. Some strict restraints areplaced on the daily lives; no eating,drinking during daily hours. At theend of the day the fast is brokenwith prayer and a meal called"IFTAR", following it is customary togo visiting friends and family.However, that is merely the physicalcomponent of the fast (SAWM), thespiritual aspects are the purity ofthought and action. Fasting duringRamadan is intended to teach selfdiscipline,self-restraint and generosityand also serves as areminder of the suffering of the poorwho rarely eat well. Things such aslying, denouncing someone behindtheir backs, slandering and otherbad intentions, can destroy the fast.While, these are always consideredoffensive they are most offensiveduring the fast of Ramadan.During the night, in addition to thefive daily prayers, there is a specialprayer called "TARAWEEH" (Nightprayer), which take place in theMosque (Masjid). The length or thisprayer is usually two times, and itcould take all night. On the 27th dayof the month, LAYLAT AL QADR(the night of Power or the night ofDestiny) is celebrated in Mosquesor at home within prayer because itis believed that on this night,Prophet Mohammed received therevelation of the Holy Quran(KURAAN) .The same for thereceiving of the TenCommandments from Mount Sinaifor Jews and Christians.THE FEAST OF FAST BREAK-ING (EID UL FITR):When the first crescent of the newmoon is officially sighted by a reliablesource, the month of Ramadanis declared over, and the month ofwww.nato.int/kfor