Professor Luis Josu茅 Sal茅s
Associate Professor of Religious Studies Luis Josu茅 Sal茅s spoke with Fox 5 in Washington, DC, about the history and significance of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
He noted that the month commemorates the Prophet Muhammad receiving revelation of the Quran, Islam鈥檚 holy book. Most observers of Ramadan begin each day with a pre-dawn meal (Suhoor), then fast from food and drink throughout the day until partaking in a meal after sundown (Iftar).
鈥淎n important detail to note is that the root of the month鈥檚 name鈥eans to burn or scorch,鈥� Sal茅s shared. 鈥淚t鈥檚 suggestive that the faithful are going to be burning away or incinerating their sins through the observance of the practices prescribed for the month, like prayer, fasting, or alms giving.鈥�
Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, one of Islam鈥檚 most sacred annual celebrations. Sal茅s noted the occasion鈥檚 importance to mark the end of fasting, inaugurate the new month, and strengthen community, as well as Ramadan鈥檚 overall capacity to prompt deeper spirituality.
鈥淸Ramadan] is also supposed to bring you closer to God鈥攖his is one of the main ideas, to get a heightened sense of awareness because you鈥檙e removing some of your distractions. As the Quran says, 鈥楪od is closer to you than your jugular vein,鈥� Sal茅s said. 鈥淭he absence and presence of food are fairly common human experiences. Going through them simultaneously as a community can encourage a greater awareness of the plight of others, a heightened sense of empathy, and prompt us to be more proactive in relieving human suffering.鈥�