21 August 2009

An Islamic Month of Compassion

A shopkeeper hangs up decorations ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Jerusalem's old city on 18 August 2009.

Muslims around the world begins Ramadan on the 22 August 2009, during which they fast from dawn to dusk for a whole month in compassion for those who are stricken with hunger throughout the world; as well as give alms to those suffering because of poverty.

While Ramadan (fast) is the fourth pillar in Islam, a Muslim also during this month long time period is reminded to avoid the iniquities and unacceptable indulgences that too often time's befalls unbelievers in Allah [(Hashem), Monotheism].

In the evening with the breaking of the fast, family and friends most often get together to enjoy a delicious meal and appreciate the time spent together on this auspicious occasion. Usually, at the beginning of the meal the finest dates are severed and what would the evening be, without the variety of wonderful sweets.

Also, with an illuminated gratitude that Allah (Hashem) is a
friend, indeed.

We are also reminded this year of the continued sweeping injustices being perpetrated towards not just Muslims, but Jews throughout the world by a foreign government that has harmed all of us for far too long; with such elements as Islamophobia, Anti-Semitism, ethnic cleansing, torture, murder, lying, theft, terrorism, foreign occupation, war and concentration camps; just to name a few of these horrendous injustices towards people of faith (Monotheism). -HRM Deborah

Below is a Photo Journal of just some of the preparations and sights of this very important Islamic holy month in Israel.

A baker prepares the dough of 'Qatayef,' a traditional Arab pancake popular during Ramadan, on the first day of the holy fasting month in the city of Jenin on 22 August 2009.
A baker prepares 'Qatayef,' traditional pancakes popular during Ramadan in the city Hebron on 22 August 2009.

A baker prepares 'Qatayef,' traditional pancakes popular during Ramadan, in Rafah on the first day of Ramadan on 22 August 2009.

The collection of four photographs of Muslim men reading the Quran, in Al-Omari mosque in Gaza City on the first day of Ramadan on 22 August 2009.

A man reads the Quran at a Masjid (Mosque) in the city of Bethlehem on the second day of Ramadan on 23 August 2009.



A man leaves Al-Omari mosque in Gaza City after praying on the first day of Ramadan on 22 August 2009.
The collection of four photographs are of Muslim men resting in Al-Omari mosque in Gaza City on the first day of Ramadan on 22 August 2009.



The above and below photograph of a vegetable and fruit vendor arranges his fresh dates for sale on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in the city of Jenin on 22 August 2009.
Shoppers at a popular market in Rafah on the first day of Ramadan on 22 August 2009.
Some people walking towards a shop as a vendor waits for customers at a popular market in Rafah on the first day of Ramadan on 22 August 2009.
A vendor pushes his cart at a popular market in Rafah on the first day of Ramadan on 22 August 2009.
A shopkeeper hangs up decorations ahead of Ramadan in Jerusalem's old city on 18 August 2009.
A boy sells light decorations ahead of Ramadan in Jerusalem's old city on 18 August 2009.
A youth decorates a street in the city of Jenin just ahead of the start Ramadan on 21 August 2009.
Elderly Muslim women walk past the Lion's Gate in Jerusalem's old city where traditional festive lights are displayed ahead of the start of Ramadan on 20 August 2009.
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man walks past Ramadan decorations in Jerusalem's old city on 18 August 2009.

A resident of Jerusalem decorates a street with traditional festive lights just ahead of the start of Ramadan on 20 August 2009.
An older Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man walks past Jerusalem's old city walls where traditional festive lights are displayed for Ramadan on 20 August 2009.
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man walks at Jerusalem's old city Damascus Gate early on 20 August 2009, just ahead of Ramadan.
Men stand talking at the entrance of the Al-Aqsa Masjid (Mosque) compound as decorative lights hang at a near by shop for Ramadan in the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City on 20 August 2009.
The silhouette of a Muslim boy is seen as he walks past decorative lights in the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem's Old City on 20 August 2009.
An elderly Muslim woman walks near the Lion's Gate in Jerusalem's old city on 20 August 2009.
A sweets vendor serves a customer at a popular market in Gaza City on 21 August 2009.
A bit of busy market shopping in Ramallah ahead of the coming Ramadan on 20 August 2009.
A vendor serves a customer at a popular market in Gaza City on 20 August 2009.
A vendor serves a customer at a popular market in Gaza City on 20 August 2009.
A vendor serves a customer at a popular market in Gaza City on 20 August 2009.
A young man inspects a lantern at a popular market in Gaza City on 20 August 2009.
A vendor decorates his stall with a lantern at a popular market in Gaza City on 20 August 2009.
A shopkeeper displays a variety of pickles outside his store in the city of Hebron on 19 August 2009.
The above and below photograph, of a potter puts the final touches to a clay Ramadan lantern at his workshop in Gaza City on 17 August 2009.

A potter engraves the expression in Arabic 'Ramadan Karim' as he puts the final touches to a clay Ramadan lantern at his workshop in Gaza City on 17 August 2009.
Women stop on 17 August 2009 in front of a shop in the central market of Gaza City where lanterns and other items are put on display, ahead of the start of Ramadan.

A boy plays with a sparkler on the eve of Ramadan in Gaza City on 21 August 2009.

From the Noble Quran

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed in the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between good and wrong). So whomever of you sights (the crescent moon on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan, is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month and whomever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days) and that you must magnify Allah [to say Takbir (Allahu Akbar : Allah is the most great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.

Al-Baqarah 2:185

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Ramadan Mubarak (2009)



Night of Power

Shortly before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reached forty years-old, he had began to immense himself more frequently in solitary meditation (prayer) retiring to the cave of Hira; sometimes for days; which during this time he received many visions from Allah (Hashem).


Never the less, one particular night towards the last ten days of Ramadan in 609 B.C.E. the angel Gabriel (Arabic: Jibreel) appeared and after a bit of discussion on literacy (96:1-5), the right path ( the beginning of the Quran) was revealed unto Muhammad (PBUH).

For it should be understood that Muhammad (PBUH) rejected or condemned the idolatries that was occurring around him during this period; especially, the influx of the Roman sun cult worship; even during this time calling themselves ‘Christians.’

But what is often unrealized is Allah’s (Hashem’s) true writings all came from Him, as bread cast upon water, which quenches the thirst of true faith in Him and the bread gives life to not just the embodiment of the believer (Monotheism), but the loving compassion for the whole of mankind. -
HRM Deborah

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