What is Ramadan about ?
God guides us through different religions, and every religious guidance, for that matter, is for our benefit. Its purpose is to restore equilibrium within us to live in peace and tranquility.
The real purpose of religion is to create a cohesive society where every human feels secure about his faith, race, ethnicity, or any other uniqueness; that is what was taught by the masters, whom we call Prophets, Avatars, or peacemakers. Ramadan is one small step towards that giant goal.
We have seen a few Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and Christians, among others who misrepresent the religious scriptures for their gain. Anyone who cites the scriptures to denigrate people of other faiths, races, and ethnicities has not understood his or her religion. It is a shame some among us (all of us) fall for such ignorant religious scholars for making God a villain of others. I took my daughter to every place of worship so she would not be prejudiced against fellow humans and cautioned her not to listen to any minister in any place of worship if he or she denigrates other faiths.
Welcome to Ramadan, which begins on Sunday Night, March 10, 2024. 1.7 billion Muslims around the world will observe it. The first day of fasting is Monday, March 11, 2024.
Ramadan is a month of learning (Q49:13), connecting with others, developing empathy with fellow beings, and reaching new heights in spirituality, taqwa, as it is called. It is a month to become close to God and emulate his qualities of mercifulness, unselfishness, forgiveness, ridding biases, standing up for the rights of every human, and, above all, love for fellow humans. As God loves all his creation, we must love all his creation to achieve taqwa.
As believers in Rabbul Aalameen (Lord of the universe –ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ ) and follower of Rahmatul Aalameen (Mercy to Humanity – وَمَاۤ أَرۡسَلۡنَـٰكَ إِلَّا رَحۡمَةࣰ لِّلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ ) we must consider ourselves as Mukhlooqul Aalameen – مخلوق لِّلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ i.e., a being for the good of all humanity.
As a subscriber to the above, I hope to invite a small representation of the universe (Aalameen) to have an Iftar gathering with Atheists, Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, and others. Alhamdu Lillah, we had the Eid gathering with a similar presence last year at Bombay Restaurant in Tysons’ Corner. Please consider doing small iftar gatherings with others. In the long run, we have to build cohesive societies; every human must feel secure with us; it comes through knowing each other. Let’s share with 10, 20, 50, or 100 people.
It is a month of practicing service to fellow beings, developing self-discipline to learn to live the way we want, and being conscious of every moment of the day for 30 days. While a few are bent on destroying relationships, we must build relationships. It is very hard to do, but we will be respected. Ramadan Kareem.
How Ramadan is embedded with the universal wisdom is at https://ramadanexclusive.blogspot.com/
Thank you.
Mike Ghouse
Cell: (214) 325-1916
Interfaith Wedding Officiant – www.InterfaithMarriages.org
Muslim Wedding Officiant – www.MuslimWeddingOfficiant.org
Author – American Muslim Agenda
President, www.CenterforPluralism.com
Director – www.WorldMuslimCongress.org
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