Muslims are currently in the 10 last days of the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during which 1.9 billion Muslims across the globe perform an obligatory act of fasting, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Sheikh Elsayed Abdelalim from the Australian Islamic House in Edmondson Park, western Sydney, says the month is about more than just abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk.
“Abandoning food and drink leads us to abandon what is not permissible and what’s not appropriate in all times,” he told Central News.
During the month Muslims focus on building a connection with Allah (Arabic word for God), mosques are filled for the usual daily prayers and the special nightly Ramadan Taraweeh prayers.
Throughout Ramadan Muslims honour the charitable nature of the prophet Muhammad by giving to those in need generously, with charity organisations recording their busiest period.
I think it’s beautiful where you could have people from backgrounds and different cultures come together during this month.
Hayri Tez from Sadaqa Welfare Fund in Granville, Sydney, said: “We are doing Ramadan food packs in lots of different countries, we’ve got Rohingya, Somalia, Nigeria. We’re in Afghanistan, Turkey, Syria, Palestine and more.”
Ramadan is known as the month of the Qur’an; and it was in the last 10 nights when the first verses were revealed to the prophet over 1400 years ago.
These verses came down on the night of decree also known as the night of power. Worshipping Allah during this night is worth 1,000 months of worship. Ramadan is dedicated to Qur’an recitation, especially the last 10 nights.
Ramadan is a month of worship and togetherness.
Erskineville mosque-goer Adam Amin said: “It’s about starving yourself to feed your soul… I think it’s beautiful where you could have people from backgrounds and different cultures come together during this month during Ramadan.”
Main image by Mohamad Youssef.
