Happy Ramadan

Author: Ben <benk@tilde.team>

Fri Mar 24 08:58:03 PM +05 2023

Some people don't know this, but I'm a moderately religious Muslim. I say "moderately", but depending on the other person's point of view (preconceived notions), they either find me apparently irreligious or very devout. If that sounds paradoxical, it pretty much is, but people vary widely in their understandings.

To be more accurate, I observe most Islamic norms. I have a beard (I trim it very short), I eat halal, I don't drink alcohol, I don't gamble, I fast every Ramadan, but I don't pray every day, and I don't fast outside of Ramadan. I have what I consider to be above-average knowledge about the religion, to an extent that sometimes makes uneducated laypeople angry if I tell them something they don't agree with.

For example, I was recently banned from an online forum for saying that Muslims have a religious obligation to believe in scientific facts, including evolution. That's not me being progressive or reformist; our faith has a long tradition of reverence towards science and knowledge. It's been baked into the philosophy since the Middle Ages.

The reason why I'm writing all this is because this Ramadan I'm finding peace in enjoying the Ramadan spirit. I was humorously thinking to myself, that maybe I'm an Islamist because I enjoy hearing the call to prayer outside my window coming from the nearby mosque. (I have no plans on going to said mosque, but that's because I don't want to worry the KGB.)

When I lived in Iran, one of my favorite things was that in my city there was a radio station that broadcast Qur'an recitation almost 24/7. I rarely listened to it. When I was sick with COVID-19 in 2020 and feeling at the end of my rope, I'd put on the radio and listen to that. That will probably always bring me comfort in times of despair.

I enjoy fasting during Ramadan, particularly the closeness I feel to my family and my community since we do it together.

Lastly, I hope all people around the world enjoy this time with their family and friends, regardless of what they practice or believe. If you have Muslim friends, neighbors, or acquaintances, they'd probably be very happy if you invited them for dinner.