Ramadan in August
August is not the kindest month in these parts.
Ramzy Kilic and his wife, Mona Adhal, pray at their Temple Terrace home.
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which begins today, calls for fasting from dawn to dusk.
By MICHELLE BEARDEN | The Tampa Tribune
Ramadan in August
August is not the kindest month in these parts.
Long days with hot, hot and hotter weather. And energy-draining, stifling, melting humidity. Hands stick to steering wheels, bare feet scorch on sidewalks.
Local Muslims have another challenge.
Today is the first full day of the monthlong observance of Ramadan, the holiest time of year in the Islamic calendar. Among the requirements are no eating or drinking daily from sunrise to sunset.
"It's a little more difficult when it comes this time of year," admits Ramzy Kilic of Tampa. "On the other hand, it teaches me a lot about self-discipline and patience. And those are the kinds of lessons we aspire to learn during Ramadan."
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, a cycle that doesn't match the solar calendar. The dates shift slightly every year — the observance begins with the sighting of a new moon.
Besides fasting, Muslims also refrain from sexual relations from dawn to sunset, devote more time to prayer and reading their holy book, the Quran, and emphasize charitable acts. Many break the fast at night in community settings or at home with friends and extended family.
It's a time of spiritual renewal, just like the Easter season is for Christians and the High Holy Days for Jews.
"The beautiful thing about Ramadan is that it puts our faith out front and makes us concentrate more fully on this part of our lives," says Kilic, 27, a public adjuster.
That can change many aspects of daily life, including the drive home during rush hour in Tampa traffic. During Ramadan, Kilic says he tries to refrain from getting angry. If a driver cuts him off, he handles it with a better attitude. The hope is that he can keep that attitude when Ramadan ends.
"Having it come around every year is a good thing," he says. "It's easy to break those good habits we develop. This is an annual reminder for us to work on being a better person."
Cardiologist Adel Eldin of New Tampa says fasting during Ramadan has physical benefits as well. He calls the practice a "free prescription for good health."
"It's a great way to purge your body of dead cells that accumulate in our system. It can also help with high cholesterol," he says. "All Americans should consider this annual cleansing, given the amount of obesity and other health issues we have in this country due to our diets."
Children aren't required to partake in the fast until they reach puberty. But Eldin and his wife, Ghada, a pediatrician, encourage their three daughters, ages 14, 12 and 9, to start with a modified form of fasting. They undergo "fast training" a few weeks before Ramadan begins, such as not eating in the morning hours.
Eldin started fasting at age 6 in Egypt, where he was surrounded by people doing the same thing. He acknowledges it's more of a challenge in this country.
"You need a support system. Once school starts, the older kids usually go into a separate room during the lunch hour to pray together and read the Quran," he says. "And because there's so much curiosity about the fast, they can use this opportunity to educate non-Muslim students about their religion.
"The more we do this, the closer we'll get to understanding and acceptance in this world."
His advice for staying clearheaded and alert while fasting in Florida's summer heat: Get plenty of hydration before the sun rises. Besides water, he suggests yogurt, cucumbers, milk and dates, which help adjust blood levels and potassium. In his case, he adds a few generous cups of coffee.
"I like my caffeine," he admits. "So there's some withdrawal those first few days. But once my body adjusts, it becomes easier and easier."
Eldin calls Ramadan "the fleeting month" because it goes by so quickly. He says he's a little sad when it's over.
"I get kind of a natural high during Ramadan. When you're feeling so close to God, how could you not?" he says. "This is the time of year I've got so much positive hope. It's a beautiful time for Muslims, a time to spiritually recharge our batteries. When it's finished, I'm ready to do it all over again."
By MICHELLE BEARDEN | The Tampa Tribune
Ramadan in August
August is not the kindest month in these parts.
Long days with hot, hot and hotter weather. And energy-draining, stifling, melting humidity. Hands stick to steering wheels, bare feet scorch on sidewalks.
Local Muslims have another challenge.
Today is the first full day of the monthlong observance of Ramadan, the holiest time of year in the Islamic calendar. Among the requirements are no eating or drinking daily from sunrise to sunset.
"It's a little more difficult when it comes this time of year," admits Ramzy Kilic of Tampa. "On the other hand, it teaches me a lot about self-discipline and patience. And those are the kinds of lessons we aspire to learn during Ramadan."
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, a cycle that doesn't match the solar calendar. The dates shift slightly every year — the observance begins with the sighting of a new moon.
Besides fasting, Muslims also refrain from sexual relations from dawn to sunset, devote more time to prayer and reading their holy book, the Quran, and emphasize charitable acts. Many break the fast at night in community settings or at home with friends and extended family.
It's a time of spiritual renewal, just like the Easter season is for Christians and the High Holy Days for Jews.
"The beautiful thing about Ramadan is that it puts our faith out front and makes us concentrate more fully on this part of our lives," says Kilic, 27, a public adjuster.
That can change many aspects of daily life, including the drive home during rush hour in Tampa traffic. During Ramadan, Kilic says he tries to refrain from getting angry. If a driver cuts him off, he handles it with a better attitude. The hope is that he can keep that attitude when Ramadan ends.
"Having it come around every year is a good thing," he says. "It's easy to break those good habits we develop. This is an annual reminder for us to work on being a better person."
Cardiologist Adel Eldin of New Tampa says fasting during Ramadan has physical benefits as well. He calls the practice a "free prescription for good health."
"It's a great way to purge your body of dead cells that accumulate in our system. It can also help with high cholesterol," he says. "All Americans should consider this annual cleansing, given the amount of obesity and other health issues we have in this country due to our diets."
Children aren't required to partake in the fast until they reach puberty. But Eldin and his wife, Ghada, a pediatrician, encourage their three daughters, ages 14, 12 and 9, to start with a modified form of fasting. They undergo "fast training" a few weeks before Ramadan begins, such as not eating in the morning hours.
Eldin started fasting at age 6 in Egypt, where he was surrounded by people doing the same thing. He acknowledges it's more of a challenge in this country.
"You need a support system. Once school starts, the older kids usually go into a separate room during the lunch hour to pray together and read the Quran," he says. "And because there's so much curiosity about the fast, they can use this opportunity to educate non-Muslim students about their religion.
"The more we do this, the closer we'll get to understanding and acceptance in this world."
His advice for staying clearheaded and alert while fasting in Florida's summer heat: Get plenty of hydration before the sun rises. Besides water, he suggests yogurt, cucumbers, milk and dates, which help adjust blood levels and potassium. In his case, he adds a few generous cups of coffee.
"I like my caffeine," he admits. "So there's some withdrawal those first few days. But once my body adjusts, it becomes easier and easier."
Eldin calls Ramadan "the fleeting month" because it goes by so quickly. He says he's a little sad when it's over.
"I get kind of a natural high during Ramadan. When you're feeling so close to God, how could you not?" he says. "This is the time of year I've got so much positive hope. It's a beautiful time for Muslims, a time to spiritually recharge our batteries. When it's finished, I'm ready to do it all over again."
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