Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; Muslims worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts for 29 or 30 days based on the sighting of the crescent moon, according to numerous accounts compiled in hadith- the narrations of the teachings of the holy prophet Muhammed PBUH.The word Ramadan coms from Abrabic word ramida or ar-ramad which means scorching best or dryness. Fasting is fard "obligatory" for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, traveling, pregnant, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding. Ramadan is a month that is recognised as a blessed month characterised by love, generosity, as well as sharing and caring especially in the Muslim's community. To remind everyone, the month of Ramadan is preceded by Shaban the eighth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. In the Gambia, some Muslims usually start preparations for the Holy Month during this (Shaban) month and like other Muslims throughout the world they look for the crescent of the new moon in the 29th day of Shaban. If it is sighted, that means the month of Ramadan has begun with the sunset and fasting begins in the next dawn. But if the crescent of the new moon is not sighted on this 29th day of Shaban, all Muslims will complete 30 days of Shaban while Ramadan begins the following day.
Alhamdoulillahi (all praises be to Allah), we are alive to witness yet another holy Month of Ramadan. it's hence important to remember the Quranic verse that says "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may attain God's consciousness." Qur'an 2:183.
In this Holy Month, the Qur'an is the book of every Muslim while the mosque becomes the rest house for many especially the youths to frequently recite the Holy book, and listen to the interpretations of the islamic scholars during their tafsir sessions (breakdown the meaning of Qur'an).
The holy Month of Ramadan enables people to develop self control/restrain over things like eating/hunger; anger (though some might be temperamental or behave irritatingly in the beginning of the month); sexual urges; thirst/drinking; even develop some permanent habits of regular praying; sincerity towards people and their Creator; and indulge in doing only good things and what pleases Allah.
I have walked round the streets of the capital city; provincial towns and villages and realised a marked difference in people's way of life before and during the month of Ramadan. It is quite interesting to note that in every nook and crane that you can find loudspeakers hanged before the month of Ramadan with heavy sound of mbalax, hip-pop, latest reggae music or sonorous voice of makossa singers blaring out of them has been taken over by the velvet tone of Qur'anic Scholars reciting the holy Quran.
As I walked through the streets i can see people in mosques, shops even at the market places, either reading to holy Quran or listening to the sermon of an Ustaz (Islamic scholar) as he preaches the teachings and revelations of Almighty Allah to his congregation. The Muslim ummah respect and regard the month of Ramadan as a period of deep spiritual reflection and worship . Everyone would always like to get closer to Allah in Ramadan especially after knowing that great rewards await the pious, generous and obedient Muslims as enshrined in the Holy Qur'an. As Ramadan is widely observed, Africa especially the north and some other countries in the west including the Gambia; Senegal; Mali; Nigeria; and other predominantly Muslim countries in the region, one special thing is that shops that sell liquor are temporarily not having good business. In Ramadan, it is business as usual but the sales are always crippling especially in the morning but gradually pick up as from mid-day or before iftar (break of fast) period. But in North Africa, shops and stores will start witnessing the boom of customers after iftar till the period of sahoor (pre-dawn meal). Most of the offices both private and public will have a temporary change of time with regards to the opening and closing of work.
In The Gambia, you get no fear of travelling from one community to another when it is Ramadan. Just like other Islamic countries, you will find it easy to meet the obligation of your fasting without stress. This is because the month is punctuated with sharing and caring and it is common to see different people inviting you to come and break fast with their friends and families.
Throughout the month, fasting ends at sunset. People mormally take fruits including dates and other dairy products to break their fast, some will even take ordinary bread and tea.
Immediately after the sunset prayer known as Maghrib prayer, individuals will settle down to consume the meal that has been readily prapared by the women in the house. After brief rest, every one will match to the mosques' for the Taraweeh- a special night prayer locally called nafila. Taraweeh is a non-obligatory prayer performed after the night prayer - salatul Isha. It is usually longer and in some mosques Hafiz Al-Qur'an (one that memorized the entire Qur'an) will lead the prayer. He will recite the Qur'an in sequence during the nafila taraweeh and have the Qur'an completed on or before the last day of the Month. Ramadan is a month that everyone is kind to each other especially the less privileged in society. Companies, philanthropists, government, public and private sectors are always generous to their staff and the general public. As you pass by the streets, markets, in front of offices you can see people giving alms to the poor and the needy, as well share amongst themselves and keep for the dry period.
It is usually a period of business boom for the tailors and fashion designers as there are lots of clothes for them to sew. It is a bonus period since their charges are not moderate but what they will charge as workmanship is always above the price of the material.
As from the twentieth day of Ramadan in the Gambia, there are always sales called 'wanterr' - auction sales. Everyone both old and young does participate in this 'wanterr' sale either as a buyer or a seller. 'Wanterr' market is always booming in the cities as people from the provinces will travel to the Greater Banjul Area to do shopping for their friends and families back in the village.
However, parents and guardians especially mothers take it as obligatory upon themselves to do Ramadan shopping for their children and wards. They will buy them new clothes, shoes, bags even toys to celebrate eid-il-fitr (Koriteh- marking the end of Ramadan) which is always the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Laylat al-Qadr Sometimes referred to as "the night of power" or 'the night of decree", Laylat al-Qadr is considered the most holy night of the year. This is the night in which the first revelation of the Qur'an was sent down to Muhammad (PBUH) stating that this night was "better than one thousand months [of proper worship], as stated in Chapter 97:3 of the Qu'ran.
Also, generally, Laylat al-Qadr is believed to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramadan, i.e., the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. In the sub-region, it is believed that the 27th night is laylat al Qadr. And giving out zakat to the poor and the needy is almost at the end of the fasting period. Eid-il-fitr In a joyous and happy mood, Muslims celebrate eid-il-fitr in a memorable way. Celebration starts as early as they pray fajr - the Morning Prayer. Children will not go back to sleep but will instead start preparing for the traditional eid prayer. They are always happy because it is time for them to wear their new cloths and shoes. After the eid prayer, poeple exchange greetings and pleasantries by saying 'eid-mubarak.' In the evening, children will visit families' and friends' moving from house to house to greet and collect 'salibou' - eid gift. Salibou for the children is normally in form of money, starting from small denomination (coins) to any amount. Every year among the children folk, eid celebration goes for a period of three days. Ramadan mubarak.
BY YUNUS S SALIU
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