What Ramadan means to Gloucestershire's Muslim community
Speaking to the community firsthand, the holy month is a time of reflection as well as opening up to wider society
This piece starts with a common misconception: Ramadan is only about fasting and all Muslims fast. None of which is true.
The holy month observed by the Muslim community worldwide, Ramadan is a time of prayer, reflection and community, believed to be when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed.
The truth? No it’s not just about fasting. Yes it is a core aspect of Ramadan and did you know that not all Muslims are required to fast. In Islam, fasting is considered obligatory only for those who are medically fit and have reached an age of maturity, which is usually about 15 years. This excludes young children, those who are ill (physically or mentally), frail, travelling, pregnant or breast-feeding.
It is considered one of the holiest periods in Islam and here in Gloucestershire, communities have opened their doors to wider society, including events for non-Muslims to attend at both the Islamic Society of Gloucester on Barton Street and a Ramadan experience has taken place in Stroud.
Ramadan is drawing to a close soon as Eid al-Fitr will mark a joyful celebration, but what does it mean to the community in the county?
Fasting means abstaining from any sinful acts and from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset. It’s a time to increase community engagement and charity, encouragement to pray more during Ramadan and there’s increased reading and reflection on the Quran. Ramadan begins and ends with the sighting of the crescent moon, and because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, it shifts forward by about 10-12 days each year relative to the Gregorian calendar.
Speaking to the community in Gloucestershire, learning about why Ramadan is important to people matters hugely to make sure we live in an educated and respectful society.
Mustafa Davies is the first conversation to this piece. Organising a community Iftar in Stroud to welcome wider society, it is the meal which the community eat at sunset to break their daily fast after evening prayer.
For around 30 years Stroud has welcomed the community and while it is smaller than Gloucester or Cheltenham - Mustafa knows Stroud best for being a decent and welcoming town.
Converting to Islam, Mustafa says Ramadan is important because “we try our best to transform ourselves and it’s a condensed self improvement opportunity. It is a period of peace because as Muslims we will turn to our religion more than we do outside of Ramadan. It’s a period of renewal and inner peace within ourselves.”
On Barton Street, the Islamic Society of Gloucester have done exactly the same to welcome wider society into its mosque.
An education talk is well worth your time, including misconceptions of Islam and learning the five pillars, which are Shahada (Declaration of Faith), Salah (Prayer), Zakat (Almsgiving), Sawm (Fasting) and Hajj (Pilgrimage).
Jahanzeb is one person who speaks on why Ramadan is important. “Being a good Muslim involves strengthening each of the five pillars and that’s where Ramadan is important to me, he says. As Muslims we have a duty to share the knowledge and understanding of our religion with everyone else. We live in a society where we meet so many different nationalities, so it makes sense to highlight the core decent values we as Muslims have. The way we break down barriers is through education so inviting people with open arms is good before people judge.”
Paul married to Tessa both converted to Islam two and a half years ago. Opening up to society during Ramadan is worth the effort because Gloucester is a small community, Paul says. “Opening up events to allow people to even ask critical questions who may have some ignorance, it’s easy in the city to open up because I live in a welcoming and tolerant place.”
Tessa says holding open events to the public about Islam and Ramadan is “very grounding and quashes misinformation. People can come and find out about Islam here and for those that do come to seek education about our religion, you will learn something you may not have known.”
Salman Ahsan as Chair of the Islamic Society of Gloucester says Ramadan is not only refreshing for the community but also “a chance to reflect upon the way we live our lives.”
Many non-Muslims attended the education event to hear what Islam and Ramadan is all about and in Salman’s view, “this is very good to see people in Gloucester coming to see our community. It’s a collective effort to have a good discussion and to share our plate. The doors to our mosque are always open and it will never be closed.”
Attending the Islamic Society of Gloucester’s open Ramadan event, city MP Alex McIntyre said that when elected last year, "I promised to be an MP for everyone in our city, which includes Gloucester’s proud and thriving Muslim community.
This is a really important time of year for our Muslim friends and neighbours and Muslims around the world as they mark the holy month of Ramadan and shortly celebrate Eid. Our Muslim community contribute so much to our city and it's so important that I engage with them on issues that matter to them, not only during Ramadan but the whole year round. I've been proud to attend a number of Iftars and community events during Ramadan this year and am looking forward to joining constituents from across the city at Eid in the Park this coming Sunday or Monday, depending on when Eid falls.”
I have nothing but respect for the quiet diligence, patience and community-mindedness of the many Muslims I have met in Stroud, Nailsworth and Gloucestershire. The Friendship Café is a wonderful example of a place that welcomes everyone, whatever your background or faith.
Really enjoyed this. Thank you Will. :)