I went to Lulu earlier today to do my grocery shopping. The store was packed – on a Friday morning – and the vimto pyramids have appeared. This can only mean one thing – Ramadan is right around the corner! By this time next week the holy month of fasting will have begun.
I have always like the ethos behind Ramadan – the notion of abstinence and self-sacrifice; the idea that experiencing thirst and hunger is in some way levelling and develops a better awareness of, and compassion for, those in poverty; a time to make peace and re-evaluate one’s life; a period of self-accountability and of giving to charity. Ramadan is not simply about not eating or drinking. It is a time for restraint from all negative behaviours. It’s essentially a time to be, and become, a better person – and who wouldn’t benefit from that?! I fear though that the true spirit of the fast is being lost and degraded. It seems to me that, for many people at least, Ramadan has become the absolute opposite of what it is supposed to be. It has mutated into a month of excess where people actually eat more than they normally would, albeit during the hours of darkness. Ramadan has become a huge celebration – a month of festivities – rather than a period of abstinence and reflection. The crazed shopping in the supermarkets reminds me of Christmas at home – another religious celebration that has become dominated by consumerism and excess – though at least for only a day. During Ramadan in this part of the world it often seems like people simply turn day into night and night into day – losing the significance of the month entirely.
I am not muslim and ultimately it is none of my concern how people choose to observe Ramadan, but I can’t help thinking that all of us, muslims and non-muslims alike, could benefit from such a period of self reflection and developing compassion for our fellow man. Unfortunately, seeing the overflowing shopping trolleys and piles of celebration sweets, it seems more likely that people will be a step closer to diabetes than they will to spiritual enlightenment by the end of the month!
That said, I’m all for people enjoying themselves and spending time with their loved ones so, however and whatever you choose to do – Ramadan Mubarak!