Prayer, Fasting, Charity, and Jihad

Ramadan begins on Tuesday.

Al Jazeera writes:

For more than a billion Muslims around the world the month of Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity.

Ramadan has special significance since it is the month in which Muslims show empathy towards the poor and downtrodden.

Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan.

This means they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines.

During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, usually a light meal eaten before the sun rises.

After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.

Fasting serves many purposes. Self-discipline is one of the primary objectives of the fast in which all physical contact between husband and wife is also abandoned in daylight hours for the duration of Ramadan.

Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body, mind and soul. Fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

After sunset the fast is ended with modest meals followed by devotional prayers until sunrise. This routine is maintained for 29 or 30 consecutive days.

Muslims also believe Ramadan to be the month of the Holy Quran - Islam's holy book. They believe that this is the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the seal of prophets, Muhammad - Muhammad being the last prophet or messenger of Allah (God) on earth.

...Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. The others are: belief in one God (Shahaadah); prayer (Salaah) - five times a day at its appointed times; alms-giving (Zakaat) - 2% of fixed assets annually; and pilgrimage (Haj) to Makka at least once in a lifetime.

Many Muslim countries operate a reduced working week to allow people time to perform the extra prayers associated with the month.

This is a "month of blessing" for the world's Muslims.

Some claiming to be devout Muslims will recognize the holy month by committing suicide and murder.

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- The Middle East is jittery as it heads into Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual introspection that has become a time of increased attacks by suicide bombers who believe they receive extra blessings.

From Iraq to Lebanon to the Sinai, the month of prayer and after-dark feasting is now a month of heightened security.

Egyptian police planned increased watchfulness throughout the month, while insisting no specific threats had been received. But Israel warned its citizens to stay away from Egypt's beach resorts in the Sinai peninsula, calling the threat of attacks substantial.

Militants have not issued specific Ramadan-related threats, but the spike in violence in recent years - especially suicide attacks in Iraq - has been notable.

One possible reason is the belief by some Islamic extremists that those who die in combat for a holy cause during Ramadan are especially blessed.

"This is a month that has a spiritual feel to it, which condones the issue of jihad (holy war)," said Diaa Rashwan, an Egyptian expert on Islamic groups. Tradition holds the Prophet Muhammad led his forces in winning battles against nonbelievers during Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month on the Islamic calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon.

...In Egypt, an Islamic group that previously claimed responsibility for this summer's attacks at Sharm el-Sheik vowed Sunday to launch an all-out war against Israelis, Americans and Egyptian police. An Egyptian security official said security was high across the country. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to the press.

Israel urged its citizens not to travel to Egypt's Sinai peninsula during the upcoming Jewish holidays, which coincide with Ramadan's start, because Arab militants were planning to kidnap Israeli tourists there.

..."This time I can say that we have very substantial information," Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told Israel TV.

Kfir Pavzaner, an Israeli who had just returned from Sinai's Ananda Beach, described the scene: "As soon as the warning was announced it became like a huge storm that washed the Israelis out of Sinai. Suddenly there were rumors that Israelis will be kidnapped and they kept circling."

Debates about Islamic extremism have also become a routine part of Ramadan.
"Political and economic reform can't take place without religious reform," Ahmed al-Rubei, a liberal Kuwaiti columnist, wrote Monday in the pan Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat. "Religious reform requires courage from preachers and religion scholars. There is a majority that is afraid of expressing its ideas."

It's interesting that Al Jazeera's piece on Ramadan doesn't mention the violence that accompanies the "holy" month in Middle Eastern countries--not one word.

From Al Jazeera's account, one gets the impression that Ramadan in the Middle East is a time of goodwill, marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. It sounds like it should be a ceasefire of sorts from the terrorism and bloodshed that normally plagues the region.

Sadly, that's not the case.

Egyptian expert on Islamic groups Diaa Rashwan explains, "This is a month that has a spiritual feel to it, which condones the issue of jihad (holy war)."

So, this "spiritual" month actually incites violence.

I don't get it.

What type of spiritual introspection prompts one to commit murder?

Who is promoting the notion that Muslims will receive extra blessings if they choose to be suicide bombers during Ramadan?

The individuals engaging in that indoctrination are truly perverted.

As Kuwaiti columnist Ahmed al-Rubei notes, some courage on the part of Islamic religious leaders is desparately needed to bring about reform.

How will peace in the Middle East ever be realized without it?


Presidential Message: Ramadan

Laura and I send warm greetings to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world as they begin the observance of Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan, which commemorates the revelation of the Qur'an to the prophet Muhammed, is the holiest month of the Muslim year. It is a special time of reflection, fasting, and charity. It is also a time of spiritual growth and prayer and an occasion to remember the less fortunate by sharing God's gifts with those in need.

Throughout our history, America has been blessed by the contributions of people of many different faiths. Our Muslim citizens have helped make our Nation a stronger and more hopeful place through their faith, generosity, and compassion.

May this be a blessed Ramadan for Muslims in the United States and around the world. Ramadan mubarak.

GEORGE W. BUSH