Celebrating Ramadan In USA - Perspectives

Saher Iqbal who is an International student from Pakistan studying at the Oglethorpe University said that the Ramdan fasting is important for Muslims to cleanse themselves from worldly things. She said that fasting during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan is also an important pillar of Islam. The main function of fasting is to make the Muslim pure from "within" as other aspects of Islamic law to make him/herself pure from "without." By such purity he responds to what is true and good and shuns what is false and evil.

She also quoted the Qur'anic verse:

"You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may gain piety. "

Elaborating further, she said fasting awakens one's conscience and gives it scope for exercise in a joint experience for all society at the same time. She said that fasting offers a compulsory rest to the over-exhausted human machine.

She also said that fasting reminds an individual of those who are deprived of life's necessities throughout the year or throughout life. Thus the practice cultivate sensitivity with in our selves to develop kindness and sympathy towards those who are less fortunate.

When asked on how she perform Ramdan fasting, she said that she usually get up early in the morning and eats food and start the fasting. Saher however said that she only take very less food before starting the fasting. She said that she would not eat or drink until the sun sets at about 7 PM.

Saher says that she miss her family and whole atmosphere at home of everyone doing the fast. She says the atmosphere at home makes her feel spiritual and holy. However she said that Ramdan is practiced in most Muslims just as same as Muslims do in Pakistan.

Commenting on the cultural values of Muslim younger generation, Saher said the values depends on the family. She claims the younger generations are always shaped up by the family environment than many other external factors. However, she said most Muslims in Georgia actively take part in Ramdan practice,She also said that the major challenge Muslim families' confront is to teach their children the mother tongue and to make them read Quoran and teaching them to pray 5 times a day. Saher speaking on the activities of the Mosque's during the Ramdan period said that everybody have to go to Mosque after breaking the fast(Iftar) and pray Taraveez ( prayer for the roza next day). She said that last 10 fasts are very important for Muslims and therefore people at tmes ends up all night praying.

Saher commenting on the latest earthquake disaster in Pakistan which claimed more than thirty thousands life said that she feel the pain of the victims She also said that Muslims in Atlanta area had taken huge efforts to provide relief support for the earthquake victims.

"Most of the people are trying to help others by providing them food and tents, medicines and all the necessary things. Most of the patients are brought down from Kashmir to Lahore where they will be admitted in the hospital. " she said.

She stated that she is confidence of efforts of Muslims in Georgia areas to make a difference in the lives of the victims. Georgia consists of one of the diverse Muslim populations in the USA. The Muslim population in Georgia basically consists of Syrians, Egyptians, Indians , Pakistanis and African-Americans.

She also expressed her positive hopes on India and Pakistan working collaborated to provide relief for victims will ultimately lead to India Pakistan peace process

"Pakistan and India were coming close to peace and now even more. No one can stop the natural disaster and everyone is willing to help each other. It will definitely assist India and Pakistan to come closer towards peace." she added.

Tehmina Mirza, another Muslim student from Oglethorpe speaking to Asian Georgian times highlighted the ignorance prevailing among the majority of Americans on Islam and Muslims.

"People sometimes give me funny looks due to the way I dress (Tahmina wears a head cover accordingly to the Islamic traditions)

Other than that, people have come to know me like me and they treat me nicely" she said with her usual pretty smile. However, she was critical of certain elements American media practices of religious bias against Islam.

"Whenever a terrorist who was a Muslim does an attack, media give a prominence. "she said

She also pointed out that non Islamic terrorist groups such as Liberation Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka had always been overlooked by the media since the groups are non- Islamic.

Tahmina strongly condemned Muslims doing terrorist activities claming such activities are totally un-Islamic. She argued that the groups who commit such atrocities are not Muslims but simply cold blooded murderers.

"It is like people claiming the kkk's actions are Christian" she pointed out.

However, she praise America as a "great country with many opportunities" and goes on to say that she would not live in anywhere else than the USA.

"I have been able too retain my Islamic beliefs but I could not retain my Pakistani heritage since I was born here and exposed very less to Pakistan." She confessed.