Transcript Journal Work Titles 2011 Section C

The Religious Ritual of
Ramadan
Religious Education Support PDSTReligious Education Support
1
What is Ramadan?
• Ramadan is the ninth
month of the Islamic
calendar, and a time
when Muslims across
the world will fast
during the hours of
daylight.
• Ramadan is the fifth
pillar of Islam.
Religious Education Support PDSTReligious Education Support
2
During Ramadan
• Almost all Muslims try to give
up bad habits during
Ramadan, and some will try to
become better Muslims by
praying more or reading the
Qur'an. Each evening a portion
of the Qur’an will be read.
• Many Muslims will attempt to
read the whole of the Qur'an at
least once during the
Ramadan period. Many will
also attend special services in
Mosques during which the
Qur'an is read.
Religious Education Support PDSTReligious Education Support
3
During Ramadan
• Fasting (Sawm) is intended to help
teach Muslims self-discipline, selfrestraint and generosity. It also
reminds them of the suffering of
the poor, who may rarely get to eat
well.
• It is common to have one meal
(known as the suhoor), just before
sunrise and another (known as the
iftar), directly after sunset.
• Because Ramadan is a time to
spend with friends and family, the
fast will often be broken by
different Muslim families coming
together to share in an evening
meal.
Religious Education Support PDSTReligious Education Support
4
Why do the dates change every year?
• The exact dates of Ramadan
change every year because
Islam uses a lunar calendar,
which means that each month
begins with the sighting of a
new moon. Because lunar
months are shorter than the
solar months used elsewhere,
Islamic holidays begin on
different days each year.
(adapted from an article on www.bbc.co.uk/schools)
Religious Education Support PDSTReligious Education Support
5
Why do the dates change every year?
• The start of Ramadan comes
around 11 days earlier each year
according to the western
Gregorian calendar, and
consequently is not associated
with any particular western
month.
• For Muslims living in Ireland, the
fast may therefore be
comparatively short if Ramadan
falls during the winter months, or
much longer if it occurs during
the summer.
Religious Education Support PDSTReligious Education Support
6
Why is this religious ritual so important
for Muslims?
• Ramadan is important for Muslims because it is believed
to be the month in which the first verses of Islamic
scripture (the Quran) were revealed by Allah to
Muhammad.
• Muslims consider the Quran to be God's speech
recorded in the Arabic language, and transmitted to the
world through Muhammad, who is considered the last of
the prophets.
Religious Education Support PDSTReligious Education Support
7
When is Ramadan in 2010?
• 12th August – 10th September 2010
• Keep up to date with the prayer timetable
using this site:
http://www.ramadantimetable.co.uk/ramadantimeta
ble-ireland
Religious Education Support PDSTReligious Education Support
8
Vocabulary for Ramadan
• Ramadan – the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, during
which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
• Sawm – Arabic word meaning "fasting.”
• Suhoor – the pre-dawn breakfast meal eaten before beginning the
daily fast.
• Iftar – the evening meal, taken after sunset to break the daily fast.
• Tarawih – special prayers offered nightly during Ramadan,
in which approximately 1/30th of the Quran is recited each night.
• Eid al-Fitr – Festival at the end of Ramadan, in celebration of
completing the month of fasting. This takes place on the 1st day of
the next month, Shawal.
Religious Education Support PDSTReligious Education Support
9