Sunday, August 31, 2008 Ramadan preparations proceed amid anxiety
MUSLIM communities in Cebu prepared to celebrate Ramadan with a call for the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to declare a ceasefire and resume negotiations for peace in Mindanao.
At least 400,000 Muslims in the Visayas, including 75,000 in Metro Cebu, will not let the tension in Mindanao interfere with their celebration of Islam’s holiest month, said Director Sakiran Hajan of the Office of Muslim Affairs Visayas.
He said that Muslim communities in Metro Cebu have started moon-sightings in recent days, in preparation for the month-long Ramadan. The observance begins once the new moon is sighted, and this year, the Ramadan is scheduled to start on Sept. 1.
Hajan lamented the lack of information that, in his view, triggered recent atrocities in Lanao del Norte. A breakaway faction of the MILF has been blamed for sacking villages shortly after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of an agreement that would have expanded the autonomous region for Muslims in Mindanao.
Understanding
“I think the solution is for both parties to declare a ceasefire, and inform the people what are needed to achieve lasting peace,” Hajan said.
Hajan said that critics of the agreement were not made to understand that even if it was signed, it would still require ratification by the people in the affected areas.
Although anxious about the conflict in the south, Muslims in Cebu are ready for the Ramadan, he said.
Starting tomorrow, all Muslims shall not take food and drinks, not even water, from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day until Sept. 30. They can only eat after 6 p.m. and before 4 a.m.
At night, well-to-do Muslims must share their food and drinks with the poor people, especially after breaking the fast, so they can also receive more blessings, Hajan said.
“Observing Ramadan is not only about fasting, but all forms of vice are also forbidden,” Hajan said.
On ordinary days, Muslims are supposed to pray five times a day between 5 a.m. and midnight. These are the dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening prayers.
During Ramadan, the Tarawi—a congregation prayer to be performed with eight to 20 Rakaat—is added. Rakaat is the “submission of one’s self as if he were talking to God, eight to 20 times.” (EOB)
