On August, 21, 2009, Muslims of Ukraine and the whole world celebrated the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan. A sign of the beginning of Ramadan is appearing of the new moon in the sky what was expected on Thursday, August, 20th, at 13 o'clock 2 minutes.
As it was stated by the All-Ukraine Association of Social Organisations "Аlraid", on Friday, August, 21, 2009, in the mosque of the Islamic Social Cultural Centre (Dehtyarevskaya street, 25, Kiev), took place the solemn Friday sermon, and the general prayer of Muslims devoted to the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Similar actions took place in mosques of all cities and settlements of Ukraine where there are Muslim communities.
There is a concept of a "favorable season"; in Islam that is the Holy Month of Ramadan. Muslims with impatience wait for its approach, as Ramadan is the month, in which God sent down to the Prophet Muhammad the first revelation of the Holy Quran. In due course the Almighty ordered to the believers to fasts in Ramadan:
"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint". (The Holy Quran, 2: 183)
"Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting". (The Holy Quran, 2: 185)
Fast for Muslims is purification and perfection of spiritual qualities. During the fasts from sunrise to sunset believers refuse from food, drink, and intimate relations. The main mission of the fast is to bring the believer closer to the Almighty by restraint of passions.
In the course of Ramadan Muslims watch their behavior, speech, abstain from evil deeds.
The fast teaches to appreciate the God's gifts — food and drink. Believers on personal experience learn feeling of hunger that induces them to be more sensitive to requirements of millions of the poor. In the course of Ramadan Muslims try their hardest to be especially generous.
Scientifically it is proved that the fast positively influences a human body. But if the person is sick or is en route, and also if it is a pregnant woman or a breast-feeding mother, the fast may be postponed. Those who cannot fast at all are to feed the poor or to distribute alms to the needy.
Only in Ramadan, except an obligatory fivefold prayer, Muslims every night perform the individual or collective prayer which is called "Tarawih". There is also Sunnah (practice) of the Prophet Muhammad consisting in reading throughout Ramadan of the whole Quran. And today many Muslims follow this practice, improving knowledge of the Holy Scripture.
Last ten days of Ramadan are especially valuable for Muslims, as in one of these nights to the Prophet Muhammad was sent down the first revelation of the Holy Quran.
Appearing of the following new moon marks the termination of the Holy Ramadan — the time when Muslims, due to estrangement from worldly cares, can devote themselves to God, strengthening their morals and spirituality.
By the press-service of the AUASO "Аlraid"
