Thread: Muslims begin holy month of Ramadan

Muslims begin holy month of Ramadan

Agence France-Presse
Last updated 10:56am (Mla time) 09/12/2007

TRIPOLI -- Muslims in several countries begin marking the holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday, with fears of insecurity mixed with hopes for a tranquil and joyful holiday season.

The start of Ramadan, the ninth and holiest month of the Muslim calendar, is traditionally determined by the sighting of a new moon, often dividing rival Islamic countries and sects over the exact date.

Libya is one Muslim country that does not look to the moon. Its centre for astronomical studies announced on Tuesday that it had fixed the start of Ramadan for Wednesday, based on astronomical calculations.

Countries such as Egypt which determine the holy month in the traditional way will begin Ramadan on Thursday. Sheikh Ali Gomaa, the Mufti or official interpreter of Islamic law, announced the September 13 date in a live television address.

Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, declared Thursday to be the first day of Ramadan, in an announcement from the kingdom's royal court.

Other Middle East states including Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will also begin Ramadan on Thursday.

During the holy month, Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and sex from dawn until dusk as life slips into a lower gear during the day, and activity peaks between "iftar," the breaking of the fast at sunset, and "suhur," the last meal of the day before sunrise.

In Iraq a top security official announced this week that the nightly curfew in Baghdad and a vehicle curfew will be eased during Ramadan.

Baghdad's 400-year-old Shorja market has been bustling with activity with war-weary residents stocking up on spices, sugar, tea and nuts -- these days imported from neighboring Syria.

The US military, which has deployed thousands of troops in the capital, said levels of pre-Ramadan violence are lower this year, and expects the trend to continue.

Residents of the Gaza Strip spending their first Ramadan under Hamas, which seized control of the tiny territory in June, are bracing for clashes after Fatah and other Palestinian groups called for sunset street prayers in defiance of a Hamas ban.

But the weary inhabitants were just hoping for a few weeks of peace and calm with their families during Ramadan after months of deadly partisan violence.

"The prayers and religious practices should not be transformed into manifestations of violence and hate," said one resident, Nabil al-Ali.

"Everyone must respect the month of Ramadan," he said. "We just want a little serenity and calm to bring us closer to God."

Saudi Arabia, home of Islam's holiest shrines, is this year preparing to receive around one million pilgrims expected to perform "umrah," or a smaller pilgrimage, to Mecca.

As generosity peaks during this month of charity, Kuwait is monitoring fund-raising activities by Islamic charities and has banned any cash donations to make sure that charity money does not reach extremist organizations.

Shiite Iran, which is due to begin fasting on Thursday, continues to ban restaurants from operating during the day during Ramadan.

In south Asia, Kashmiri politicians have called on New Delhi to declare a ceasefire in the revolt-hit state for the holy month of Ramadan, and said they hoped militants would match the move.

In Asia, Thailand's Muslim-majority south, where security forces seek to contain a bloody separatist insurgency, will start Ramadan on Wednesday and the army has announced the suspension of a night curfew.
inquirer.net

[Cue misinformed diatribes from the usual suspects...]

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

[Cue misinformed diatribes from the usual suspects...]

So, what in the name of Fidel's lice infested beard are you waiting for?

During the holy month, Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and sex from dawn until dusk as life slips into a lower gear during the day, and activity peaks between "iftar," the breaking of the fast at sunset, and "suhur," the last meal of the day before sunrise.

actually before dawn actualy means prior to 4.30am....

drink includes water - nothing to pass the lips at all!

and strictly speaking not supposed to smoke either

i told my girlfriend i'd join her one day a week this month!

i've got a few spare minutes, so i'd like to take this opportunity to post for keda.....

72 virgins
alliwallah
freedom haters
civilization hangs in the balance

aiiieeee!!!! head for the hills!!!!

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

[Cue misinformed diatribes from the usual suspects...]

So, what in the name of Fidel's lice infested beard are you waiting for?

You. For one.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

So, what in the name of Fidel's lice infested beard are you waiting for?

boonie probably stole this line from...

Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler » Blog Archive » Edwards Announces Dream Cabinet

Originally Posted by raycarey

i've got a few spare minutes, so i'd like to take this opportunity to post for keda.....

72 virgins
alliwallah
freedom haters
civilization hangs in the balance

aiiieeee!!!! head for the hills!!!!

Keda won't be pleased!

For a start you've left of the part where he calls them all uncivilised and that they should be wiped off the face of the earth. Presumably by us, you know, the more civilised West.

^
You boys are on quite a roll tonight...

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

You boys are on quite a roll tonight...

Correct. Straight over you too if you don't stop posting half-truths, distortions and outright mistruths.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

During the holy month, Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and sex from dawn until dusk as life slips into a lower gear during the day, and activity peaks between "iftar," the breaking of the fast at sunset, and "suhur," the last meal of the day before sunrise.

actually before dawn actualy means prior to 4.30am....

It's from the time you can distinguish between a white thread and a black thread by natural light.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

[Cue misinformed diatribes from the usual suspects...]

Ant jumps in at post #2 so later on he can say, "See?!! See?!! I told you so! I was right again! Look! I was right!"

Only he wasn't. A stooge named ray had to generate an imaginary post by another poster so Ant could be right in his imagination. Well done boys. You managed to burn a strawman with your own fantasies. Witch! Witch!

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Originally Posted by kingwilly

During the holy month, Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and sex from dawn until dusk as life slips into a lower gear during the day, and activity peaks between "iftar," the breaking of the fast at sunset, and "suhur," the last meal of the day before sunrise.

actually before dawn actualy means prior to 4.30am....

It's from the time you can distinguish between a white thread and a black thread by natural light.

which in practise now means muslims collect a calendar of times - which start at 4.23am today and slowly gets earlier until the final days start the fast at 4.02am.

Originally Posted by attaboy

Ant jumps in at post #2 so later on he can say, "See?!! See?!! I told you so! I was right again! Look! I was right!"

Yup. What actually happened is that Mid called me at 10:30am and said: 'Hey, I'm going to post this article on Ramadan, you want in on that action?'. To which I replied: 'Oh hell yeah! But I'm a bit busy right now. Can you post it at 10:42am and I'll get to it a few minutes later with my premptive post?'. Supremely cunning foresight and planning you have to admit.

Now if only it weren't for that pesky kid attaboy and his semi-talking dog I would've gotten away with it too!

Well at least you've fessed up. Now off to jail with you for disrupting a potentially informative thread.
Some of us are sincerely interested in peace and are actively seeking redeeming qualities within Islam.
I understand all of America is to convert soon after Barrack OBamma get elected President.

Can you guys keep it civil in the name of this holy month? I am starving man.

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

Well at least you've fessed up

Sarcasm - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Now off to jail with you

You confusing your donor status with being a moderator again?

Originally Posted by machangezi

Can you guys keep it civil in the name of this holy month? I am starving man.

Eat.

Break that silly rule.

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

Now off to jail with you

earl's a mod? when did that happen?

btw earl, thanks for the green.
simp.

The Petraeus/Crocker... 13-09-2007 12:27 PM Mr Earl

You two going to burn any witches on this page?

Originally Posted by attaboy

You two going to burn any witches on this page?

That was nonsensical the first time around. Hasn't aged very well.

what's this 'witch' business?

are you going to start crying again about how you have to hide being a republican?

Burning witches burning strawmen what's the difference? You did it on page one I wondered if it was going to carry over. Come on ray pretend to post for someone so Ant can attack them.

Originally Posted by attaboy

Burning witches burning strawmen what's the difference? You did it on page one I wondered if it was going to carry over. Come on ray pretend to post for someone so Ant can attack them.

You actually got anything to add, attaboy?

Or you just going to randomly post out your fantasies?