Actually, yes it is

Was there a possibility it might be cancelled this year? lol

As far as fasting goes.... that is one area where my faith and the Abramic faiths tend to differ. We don't really have a fasting tradition that I can think of.

There is a post by Elaine, from the canadian food grains back, and a resource for fasting for a week, in the period leading upto world food day.

"Fast for Change:  7 days to tend the earth.

I'm hoping to review this weekend

Let me be the first in this thread to wish you a Happy Ramadan, Omni!!!

Or, as you told me to tell you back on Facebook -- Hahaha I have food you don't!

I look forward to experiencing Ramadan through our friendship here and on Facebook.  Keep us up to date on how it goes!

(I can't spell it but:)

Molly cum Salam

Salam, inch Allah

Inch Allah, salam

I have a Sufi neighbor...

----------

Catholic/ Protestant

Suni/Sheia

There were times and places where everyone got along...what hope have you?

My experiemce is very limited....but I never met a Muslim I didn't like...

Allah hoo akbar...(I hope you will excuse my atrocious spelling)

I'm an American...ashamed at the New York antipathy at the Proposed Muslem building...

(On terrorism: Some people take their religion far too seriously...)

...and, of course, some their religion far too casually...

Cheers!

No there wasn't a possibility it would be cancelled this year lol. 

I think I understand why your faith tradition dosn't have any fasting, something about enjoying the bounty of the earth or something like that?  You show your appreciation by partaking of the bounty?

I checked this out and was thinking of regestering but I want some more info first.  It seems to be a mostly church-based initiative (seeing as when they ask for your denomination your options are 15 churches and "other".  Regardless I was tempted to put "UCC" lol).

@YouthWorker: I have a great Eid card idea for you already!

@Happy Genius:

I don't really know what you're trying to say here, either everyone already gets alone, or everyone once got along...or I have no hope of getting people to get along...?  haha

As-salaamu alaikum all!

-Omni

You know what Omni...I would suggest you send them an email re them not including an option for you.  I bet they would appreciate it.    The registration is,, I think, reasonable. it was really straight forward. dang, give them a throw away hot mail if you want.

ps..and my apologies for not honouring this time...good job yw for reminding us to wish him a Happy Ramadan!

I suspect that's part of it.

It's always difficult foe any of us to really quantify why our own faith doesn't participate in a spiritual practice. Always much easier to to explain why we DO something.

I am aware that there is evidence of health benefits associated with fasting, and I would certainly acknowledge the spiritual benefits that many different faiths experience from the practice.

Perhaps it's as you say for us. Perhaps it's just that we don't do it because we've never done it.

How does Ramadan work if you live above the Arctic Circle?

That's actually a very good question.

How would that work?

I remember when I used to live in Northern Alberta that the playground zones were dawn til dusk for most of the year, but went to 10pm in the summer.

Yes, I fast from time to time. I find it helps me to think more spiritually. I also find that it points out flaws in my character that I believe I need to work on changing to be more godly. As one example of the latter, I tend to get grouchy when I'm hungry.

Honestly, I know little if anything about Ramadan. What similarities do you see between it and Lent?

Isn't your faith more along the lines of "eat, drink and be merry"? I'm being serious.

Fasting and I have something in common.

More along the lines of this quote of one line from our "Charge of The Goddess", which is "all acts of love and pleasure are My worship"

Omnissiah is correct when he states that we show appreciation by enjoying the fruits of the Earth, and you are somewhat correct in your observation as well, with the proviso that overindulgance can result in harm, which is against our beliefs as well.

One would set reasonable limits during the day methinks if you were in a period of 24/hour daylight/darkness.  Although I suppose you could always skip it and make up for it afterwards, which is a valid way of going about it.  I wish I had a line of communication to the Muslim community in Inuvik to see who they deal with it.

That being said my fast lasts about 16 hours a day right now.  It will get progressively longer over the next several ramadan's because the Islamic calendar is a lunar one so moves back approx. 11 days each year throught the gregorian calendar. 

Re: the similarities between Ramadan and Lent:

Well they both are fasts of sorts.  Although lent is less uniform (especially nowadays with some groups not eating meat, or only eating bread, or only fruit and veggies, or not eating until 3 PM, or just the evening, or only eating 1 meal a day, or...the list goes on), and not as widely practiced in christianity as it once was.  Also I think that during lent you were allowed to eat during the day on....fridays?  Or perhaps I'm confusing that with the catholic tradition of not eating meat on fridays...?

Regardless, there is a general air of giving up bad habits, and taking up good ones (trying to quit smoking, giving up alcohol for the duration of lent, volunteering, charity, et cetera...).  The same is true in Ramadan (fast, charity, giving up bad habits such as smoking, et cetera...).

Hope that helped.

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

I tried contacting "Fast for Change" with the following:

Hello, and peace be with you.

I was wondering if it was possible to add denomination options to different religions?  I am a Muslim and applaud the effort behind this initiative.  Being that is it currently the holy month of Ramadan, it is my belief that many Muslims (who are already fasting) would join this worthy cause if there was some outreach, perhaps in the form of a wider communication net, or even something as small as having "Islam, Judaism, Hinduism..." et cetera as denomination options.

Thanks for the consideration.

As-salaamu alaikum
-[Insert real name here]

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

There are no Muslims above the Arctic Circle; they all died from fasting for a full month.

Ahem, there is a piece of Rmadan that has been mentioned, which includes the giving up of sexual activities...

Omni - curious, is the act of sex considered more along the way of the puritans....as compared to say, Witches understanding.

My understanding is that the Christian denominations cover all spectrusms of sex -- from the puritan to that sex is a beautiful expression of God's love.

The other part that surprised me is that the onset of menstruation breaks the fast.  (although involuntary vomitting does not)

The puritans didn't see sex as being a beautiful God-love-expression?

Have a wonderful Ramadan!

What might be the appropriate way to wish someone a Blessed Ramadan.  Our son's nurse is Muslim and I would love to know what to say.

I had posted a you-tube video from Obama re wishing people a blessed Ramadan. from last year.  The more I listen, the less appropriate it is..sorry.

 DaisyJane, maybe he can comment on if this is more relevant.

 From another site:

If  you do not speak Arabic and you are not Muslim, the best ( according to the good tone and etiquette) is to greet the person at the beginning of the Holy month of Ramadan and at the end ( the Eid). I suggest you to be not so lavish in words, as the simplicity is needed here.
I do not agree that just "Happy Ramadan" sounds suitable.
Use simply "Ramadan Mubarak" ( May Allah bless you in Ramadan/ Happy Ramadan) or "Ramadan Kareem". You could add ( optionally):

"May His Blessings Shine upon You!"
"May Allah accept your fasting"
"May Allah bless you for all good deeds"
"May Allah bless you and your family in this holy month", etc..
 

@Arminius

Yes it was during the month of Ramadan that the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) recieved his first revelation, and it is also within the month of Ramadan that the Prophet (pbuh) recieved his final revelation.  It was within the last ten days of Ramadan but it is unknown which days in peticular was the first and last revelation. 

@Pinga

During the fast one is not to eat, drink, smoke, or have sex.  One could still have sex during the night if one so wished, but i'm not currently in a position to do so xD

Re:menstration, excessive bleeding of any kind breaks any state of prayer readiness and purity, along with other things like sleep and using the washroom.  That is why you see Muslims always washing before they pray.  Menstration breaks the fast because pregnant and menstrating women, along with the elderly and the sick are exempt from the fasting so during the period (no pun intended) of menstration one is temporarily exempt but must make up for the fast later.

Ramadan Mubarak is the simplist and most straight forward blessing/greeting during Ramadan.  It means simply "Blessed Ramadan".  And during Eid ul-Fitr; Eid Mubarak and Eid sa'Id (Prounounced Eeed sah-eeed) both mean Blessed/Happy Eid.

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

Silly Omni, sex is possible in just about every position if you try hard enough! ;)

Have a wonderful and blessed Ramadan!

Hahah thank you RevMatt :P

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

Interesting, omni...the documentation i was reading did not correlate the menstruation to the ill....rather, it lumped it in with the "unclean" aspects..similair to how other faiths treat women during a time of menstruation.  This does seem born out by the timing...it isn't based on when you eat. that you have broken the fast, but by the first drop of blood.

Really, you can have sex at night during ramadan....thanks for clearing that one up.

Have a blessed Ramadan, Omni.  Thanks for the clarification re: how it should be acknowledged.  I had the sense that "happy ramadan" would miss the mark.  We don't wish each other happy lent, after all . . . When the time comes, we wish you Happy Eid. 

Okay, I think I have it.  Is it appropriate to wish you an easy fast?  I have heard that somewhere, and I am not sure if it was in connection to Ramadan or one of the Jewish holidays.

@Pinga: The "unclean" aspect probably holds sway as well.  Anyone who bleeds more than a small cut is deemed unclean.

@paradox3:I think that would be fine,, something like "May Ramadan be kind to you" or "May your fast be easy".  The only possible problem I see there is that to some the "easy" isn't the point.  But I doubt anyone would take offence or anything.

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

Thanks Omni.  I was wondering about the "easy" part . . . Have a blessed Ramadan sounds like it works the best. 

Hi-The Omnissiah- Could I just say God be with you in your Walk. airclean33

Maybe even Jesus.

Blessings Omni ...

If we were to do without more things; would we learn about what we take for granted quickly? That's fast eh!

Then there's break fast; how did that get into the Christian English? Oh, well nothings perfect eh and some people learn the nature of the whole thing slower ... sloth?

It takes a long time for some people to admire the night sky eh ... relative to the Light ... so much we don't know in the dark ... words on a page buoy writ in dark thinkin' ... that a great deal of people never even slow to think about. Water boid ... dunkin the shadows of a whole bunch of misunderstood words ... and they say there is no secret fantastical society in a world where anti socialism is rampant as rhode rage ...

People don't like you to get into there mind even though much of it is common space ... a mêmè (same, space in archaic Gael) in the mystery of Dawkins! One simply must know their tongues or they flap and confuse the unknown ... unknowing? Does God as pure Love know anything, or in that emotional state ... require a sibling? It is a hidden covenant like the shadow in a bayer Ka, a naked spirit in the realm of soul (Ba).

There is so much you can do with words that people do not understand ... sort of indeterminate ... like God as a metaphor!

Quick wit' ID now ... helps you forget your hungers ... God also includes the light and dark Eumerus ... not choosy in their infinite desires to learn everything they made in a moment of inert Çha ... a stirring shadow in anchaic tongues! There we are derailed onto that string again like the weakest linque in the chain mael! Pauline let Eires go on and on eh ... without a break.

The some words say that a change is good as a break ... is this evolutionary speech as beyond fixation (Idée) a Mary myth? Only words that you can create anything from if you've run the gamut ... still there's moor ... black Poe-L ... o'Nicks, or Onyx ,  sa'phyre in the dark?

Omni?Hope you don't mind my questions, i recognize this is a holy time, and do not wish to seem rude....so..if they are offensive ...let me know...I will ask in a couple of months if I remember.

k, here's the question.

If a woman bleeding breaks her fast, and Ramadan lasts for 30 days,  what is the probability that any woman of child bearing age will be able to meet a full fast. Also, can one become clean again..so..say you were menstruating on day 1...are you out for all of ramadan?  Do all traditions follow this same ruling, or do some muslim ?sects/? denominations?  follow different interpretations.  I ask, as this seems to push women outside of the majority of ramadan..and would be like being refused the ability to approach the communion table to me....ie, offensive.

You are only deemed to be breaking the fast so long as the action persists.  And the Fast is measured in days.  So if you bleed one day, then that day is forfeit (just as if you had eaten on that day).  Then you would just have to make up the day at the end of Ramadan.  So either during Eid ul-Fitr, or more likely directly after it.

I'm not sure about other groups but this is my interpretation (and the interpretation of mainstream Islam from what i've gleaned). 

One is only deemed "unclean" when the action in question happens.  Once one is unclean, one can easily clean themselves again.  So a women would not pray during the actual bleeding, but would cleanse themselves directly afterwards and then pray for example.

The same would be said for a man who had a nosebleed.  Wait till it stops, wash, pray.

In Islam physical cleanliness is likened to spiritual cleanliness.  It's the thought that counts (cleaning yourself before suplicating before God).  You honour the Lord when you honour your body.

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

Ok, that is much better.  I must admit that I am struggling with the unclean / not pure. 

A natural part of a woman's body, created by God, causes her to be unworthy/unclean/not-pure ....well....doesn't seem right.

Then again, Catholics don't allow women to be priests, either....and come to think of it,....so...often women are considered unworthy just by being women..

It's not much different that the Levitical cleanliness laws that pertain to women.

Agreed, witch..

Though, I am not sure how many denominations in Christianity still follow those...though, it may be part of the logic around priests.

curious....if all islamic people treat it the same...or if there are various interpretations

Blessed Ramadan, Omni. very interesting thread everyone. When i was struggling with the sermon on the Lord's prayer, Omni sent me a prayer that Muslims use that added so much to what i was writing. It is by learning from one another will we rid ourselves of bigotry and hatred. Good job omni and everyone.

As Omni's explaining it, a man who bleeds due to an injury, even cutting himself shaving, would be similarly affected so it's as much a blood taboo as a menstrual one.  The main problem is that it is a taboo that is going to more radically affect one sex than the other. In the end, it protects the bleeding person to some extent since fasting while losing blood would be a bad idea medically, I believe. So, there may be some good intentions behind its origins as opposed to a "let's get women" mentality.

Ramadan mubarak, Omni! And thanks for being a voice for your faith here on WC. If one religion needs moderate, rational voices speaking its truth in the world right now, it's Islam. With Christianity as a very close second, I might add.

Mendalla

That is the general Idea Mendella.  When one is injured/pregnant fasting is not a good idea.  So contrary to some other religion's beliefs that fasting can solve physical ailments (which usually it only makes them worse) Islam takes a more realistic approach.

Yes it does effect women more than men because of their nature, but men and women are different.  Equal as people, but different in nature.  Women don't have to go to congressional prayer on fridays if they don't want to.  It's semi-obligatory on men (depending on your view). 

@pinga

There might be some more leanient views on the whole bleeding issue re:uncleanliness, but most are as I have stated.  In a specifically non-fasting example, ejacluation renders one unclean....and we all know men do that more then women bleed ;P

As-salaamu alaikum, Ramadan Mubarak

-Omni

What religions teach that fasting can solve physical ailments?

I can't off the top of my head remember but it I believe there hav ebeen several cases in the states where certain christian groups have come under fire form the media and investigation from the police when children have died of ailments because their parents made them fast to cure it.

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

May His Blessings Shine upon You!

I have never heard the belief that  "fasting can solve physical ailments" taught in any Christian church. Do you have a link to an article available?

Again not offhand, I will try and search for one.  But when I wake up lol.

4:16, time to pray and go to bed.

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

And thank you sigh :)  Upon  you as well!

As-salaamu alaikum

-Omni

Omni ...

Sometimes you're "aL" it takes to get some people thinking ... then how many people are perfect, pure, uncomplicated love without a thought of otherwise ... or the corollary uncomplicated  thought without a care. Where would creation have stored such irregularities in the recesses of the space of their mind ... common space when you come to think of it (the mêmè in Dawkin's sojourn). Then he doesn't know it yet so don't tell eM ... they have to learn all by theirs elves? That's complex eh, neuroscientists study such things for structure of the mind thou's ole thing in a word. But do people believe that God is an all-encompassing word ... habeas corpus? That's the Black MonoLith eh ... onyx, devilish thing to fathom as a dark pool ... laid-E of the loche ... cosmological entanglement thesis ... then there's the antithesis the other side of the story ...

If we would only probe the whole thing as stated by past wisdom (de'the in Hebrew, leading to alteration of form) ... perhaps we'd learn some interesting things from the alien mind ... that which surrounds us as intellect. Then the book says to question all things and many authorities say you're not to question God (the 'ole thing)!

Then there is "thou"! That's an interesting word to probe in the lexicon ... a reflexive status ... a Paen to learn? Aberration of the dae mon into dark ... and de-sha-dow Gnoes! Then we have to work with it and generally men are not that energetic ... they'd like othere's to do it for them. They haven't realized the implications of someone else doing all your work ... they controll it and you have nothing to say ... because perhaps ... you didn't want to know the crap of life ... that gravid Çhi-ite eh ... the bottom tier absorbs more of the falling experience missed by those on top ... they don't even know the Ba'aLem being played ... sole h'art thing heh ... all inna stir! Archtypical press in a word Christ's close ET ... dark eh ... like hammadryads, pas sin shadows under a tree ... Tamyir Gheists? 

Hi Omni

I'm late. I just read your profile. Wow....its great!

* Blessed Ramadan*

--from Neil Gaiman's Ramadan

Whenever I've fasted, it has always been unintentional.  And it always followed a similar pattern.  I would first go through a period of light-headedness, of giddyness.  Then would come the hunger pangs; this is when other body sensations might occur, like feeling hot.  These eventually would go away and my mind would become quite clearer and be able to make associations between topics that I had never considered before.  I have never gone beyond this stage, as the earthly temptations are quite worth it, for me.