Ramadan a month for renewing one's relationship with

By Aziz JunejoSpecial to The Seattle Times
Early next month, Muslims the world over will standoutside just after sunset and gaze upon the westernskies in search of the crescent of a new moon, whichwill mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.Unlike Hanukkah and Christmas, Ramadan is not so muchthe observance of some past, great event, but ratheran entire month for intense spiritual reflection — atime for more than 1 billion Muslims to renew andstrengthen our relationship with God. Ramadan is thethird Pillar of Islam, and the name of the ninth monthoccurring within Islam's lunar calendar. It ischaracterized by strict fasting and the controlling ofall desires from predawn to sunset, a time of extraprayers, polished manners and good deeds. If one doesthis in complete devotion to God, her or his sins willall be forgiven.Fasting is intended to help teach Muslimsself-discipline and self-restraint, and I learned thisat an early age. I was reminded of those years onerainy evening last month when I ran into a childhoodfriend at the Safeway parking lot in West Seattle. Ina soft voice he said, "Aziz, I'm Brad — Brad Larsen.You remember me?" We had not seen each other in morethan 20 years, but he still looked like Brad, and overthe course of talking he mentioned he had been readingmy columns.The subject of Ramadan arose, and he recalled how somekids at our grade school had made fun of me when Ifasted, and that this had always bothered him — howthey put food under my nose, eating right in front ofmy face while others waved their lunch as they walkedby me. He had admired my willpower and ability to staycalm, and was impressed with my commitment to fast andto practice my religion.During my childhood, Mom would always wake us childrenup before Dad. We would drag ourselves down to thedinning-room table every morning, usually about 3a.m., and when Dad arrived we would take our morningmeal, called "Suhoor," together. Scrambled eggs withonions and tuna fish, chili and fresh baked biscuits,or fresh pocket bread, yogurt and a little sugar aremy most memorable breakfasts, some I still observetoday.Later, at sunset, we would break our fast with a mealcalled "Iftar." It usually started with dates andwater, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad,peace be upon him. After a ritual prayer, we wouldhave special Ramadan foods such as humus, samosas,curried lentils and Basmati rice, and a special dailydessert, because Ramadan is a month of exoticdesserts.During dinner, our parents would often engage us in adiscussion about the suffering of the poor or the hardtimes of their generation, to help us appreciate whatwe had. We never gorged ourselves during Ramadan, andI remember it as a month of great spiritual familytime.Muslims also believe it was during Ramadan that Godbegan revealing the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, soI spend much of my free time during Ramadan readingthe Quran, both in Arabic and English, captivated bythe deeper meaning of its verses.My children see Ramadan as a time of joy in the houseand around the community. They put colorful lights onthe ceiling of their bedroom and take great joy inmaintaining their fast while helping my wife with thespecial Ramadan meals.My father, may God bless him, would often spend thelast 10 days and nights of Ramadan in solitarydevotion, retreating to the Idriss Mosque nearNorthgate in a ritual called "I'tikaf," a completededication to the peaceful worship of God. We believeI'tikaf to be a time of intense spirituality, whenbelievers are surrounded by angels, the gates ofheaven are open, and God's blessings and mercy areespecially abundant.Muslims are sad when the month nears its end, as onenever knows if one's life will continue — whether wewill again experience the joys that have brought uscloser to each other, and ultimately to our creator,God the Compassionate, the Merciful.Aziz Junejo is host of "Focus on Islam," a weeklycable-television show, and a frequent speaker onIslam. He and four other columnists — Pastor MarkDriscoll, the Rev. Patrick J. Howell, Rabbi Mark S.Glickman and the Rev. Patricia L. Hunter — take turnswriting for the Faith & Values page.Readers may send feedback tofaithpage@seattletimes.com