Muslims prepare for end of Ramadan

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, concludes Saturday at sunset. During the month, Muslims have been abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset as a spiritual practice.

Amal Damaj, wife of Imad Damaj, president of the Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs, wrote this essay about fasting and Ramadan meals:

"Fasting, despite its initial difficulty, is a very joyful experience, as attested by the number of children who, each year, beg their parents for the permission to fast along with the adults of the family.

"It makes one feel lucky and grateful to have food on the table at the end of the day. It also instills a different kind of self-esteem when the fasting person realizes that he/she can vanquish his or her most basic needs for food and water, at least for a while.

"It helps people feel much lighter and thus able to focus on the spiritual realm of life rather than the material one. However, most of all, it instills compassion in those who practice it as they realize that for so many people in the world, hunger and thirst are unfortunately experienced not by choice.

"Thus Ramadan becomes an act of devotion to the Creator who gives us unlimited bounties and only asks of us that we share some of them with those who are among the less fortunate."

Damaj said the foods eaten before and after the daily fasts vary widely, depending on the culture and residence of the practitioners, but there are certain traditions.

"Muslims prepare for their fast by getting up early for a pre-dawn meal called suhoor. Many people treat it like breakfast and eat cereal and milk or eggs or any other typical breakfast food. Some prefer a more substantial meal and may heat up the leftovers from the previous night's iftaar [the 'breaking the fast' meal]. However, some are not in the mood for food so early in the morning (nowadays around 4:30 a.m.) so they simply drink water or juice in preparation for the fast.

"The iftaar occurs at sunset and can include a variety of different foods, but different cultures have their preferences. Regardless of the cultural differences, however, most Muslims break their fast by first eating a few dates, following the example of Prophet Muhammad. This practice has the benefit of rapidly replenishing the glucose that has been depleted from the bloodstream by the long hours of fasting. It has an instantaneous perking effect.

"Following the dates, most people drink water or any refreshing cold drink to banish their thirst. Then it is time to perform the evening prayer, which may take up to 10 minutes. Afterwards, Muslims sit down for the iftaar meal, usually the sole big meal of the day.

"Regardless of when and how iftaar happens, it is always a family affair where youngsters and adults unite at the dinner table and the atmosphere is always festive. It is like having a Thanksgiving dinner 30 nights in a row."