Good Morning,

    And to any of our "family" that may be Muslim.

You have just received an animated greeting card from Trisha and Amber
You'll see the personal greeting by using the following Web location.

http://www2.bluemountain.com/cards/box7432a/igt3nhyixfuyiz.htm

Educational Note

Ramadan  The month of fasting
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For more than a billion Muslims, Ramadan is a time of prayer, fasting, and
charity. RAMADAN IS THE NINTH MONTH of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a
lunar
calendar-that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon.
Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar
used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. This year Ramadan began
on December 9; next year it will begin around November 30.

For more than a billion Muslims around the world-including some 8 million in
North America-Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting,
and charity. This year Ramadan starts between Christmas and Hanukkah. But
while in many places these holidays have become widely commercialized,
Ramadan retains its focus on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God).

Why this Month?


MUSLIMS BELIEVE that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first
verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Around C.E. 610, a caravan
trader named Muhammad took to wandering the desert near Mecca (in today's
Saudi Arabia) while thinking about his faith. One night a voice called to
him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had
been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed,
Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the
Qur'an.

At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Qur'an is recited
each night in prayers known as "tarawih." In this way, by the end of the
month the complete scripture will have been recited.

Fasting


MUSLIMS PRACTICE "SAWM," or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This
means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun
shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other
Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve.

During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the
daylight hours. Families get up early for "suhoor," a 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. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are
reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to
practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most
sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual
devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

RAMADAN ENDS with the festival of Eid al-Fitr. Literally the "Festival of
Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic
celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At
Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with
lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with
friends and family.

A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although
charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special
significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims
are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making
contributions to mosques.