Transcript Document
Fasting and Ramadan What is the most special time of year for you? Christmas Your Birthday Holiday Wedding Easter What is Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and is the fourth pillar out of the ‘five pillars’ of Islam. For Muslims, Ramadan is the holiest of months. It is when they believe that their holy book, the Quran, was given to them through the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)*. During this time, Muslims will not eat or drink between during daylight hours. This is known as fasting. The Holy Quran Who can fast during Ramadan? If you are a child, sick, old or pregnant then fasting would be inappropriate. This means that they will not have to fast until they are older, stronger or feeling more capable. Everyone else, however, should take part. Children will start to fast when their family believe that they’re ready. Why do Muslims fast? Ramadan is a very spiritual month for Muslims, and is believed to be a month of blessings and forgiveness from Allah*. During this time, Muslims try to pray and read the Quran more, so they can grow closer to Allah and gain His favour. It is also a time of reflection and preparation. Muslims will also contemplate how they are living their lives, and whether it is in a way honouring to Allah. Ramadan also reminds Muslims of what it is like for people who don’t have daily access to food or water. It reminds them that they have a duty to those in need, and that being a good Muslim means giving money to charity. Can you remember what this pillar is called? What do each of these pillars represent in Islam? Eid-ul-Fitr Ramadan ends with a 3 day celebration known as Eidul-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Muslim families celebrate Eid by wearing new clothes and going to the Mosque for morning prayer. They also visit their friends and family to pray and have large meals together. Children may receive gifts such as money, new clothes or toys. During Eid, Muslims wish each other “Eid Mubarak”, which means “Have a blessed Eid”. Activity While Muslims are fasting, they look at their actions, what they do and say, so that they can become a better person. What sort of things could you change about your behaviour? Think of some things that you could do to help other people. Write a list of things you could do. You can see what you’ve managed to achieve over the coming weeks. Just as Muslims are taught to provide for those who are less fortunate than themselves, the Live Below the Line Campaign is an opportunity for anybody to experience something of the lives of people who live in poverty, and take action by fundraising. What is Live Below the Line? Live Below the Line is an awareness and fundraising campaign, challenging individuals and communities to eat and drink on £1 a day. By taking part in LBTL, you are shining a light on the 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty, on just £1 a day. In 2015, schools across the country will take part in Live Below the Line by eating and drinking on £1 for one whole day. Can you help Send a Cow to change lives? Take up the Live Below the Line challenge and raise money for our Burundi campaign. Burundi is the hungriest country in the world. Families here have been living on much less for a lifetime. Hunger ultimately means loss of life - and of all hope for any kind of meaningful future. Send a Cow: Burundi With the money you raise we can start to end hunger in the country one family, one community at a time. It raise means we can get into the heart of these communities and, within months, see them growing enough food to feed their families. For every £100 you raise we will support a group to set up an allotment to grow fruit and veg to feed their families and sell. And for every person helped, a further 9 benefit, spreading the impact of the money you raise still further. Crucially, your support will mean people feel valued, not forgotten. This is the spark. When a person feels valued they believe they can take the livestock and the knowledge we provide and shape their own future. It starts with an appetite for change. We simply provide the means to make that happen. Will you help us?