Ramzan Mubarak 2013

Importance of Ramzan Mubaraik 

Author: Prof. Dr. Ramazan Gözen of Çankaya University, Ankara
Referred to as the "Sultan of 11 Months", Ramadan is the period during which believers fast from daybreak to sunset, abstaining from such needs as eating, drinking and sexual activities. According to Islam, there are many reasons for Ramadan to be a holy month. It is usually the religious and individual aspects of the month that emphasis is placed on. However, fasting during this month has very serious social and universal connotations.
As in the case with all other religious activities, the religious dimension of Ramadan and fasting come to the fore. The most important point in this context is that the holy book of Islam, the Koran, started to be revealed in this month and was completed in 22 years. This year marks the 1400th anniversary of the start of the Koran's revelation. The Koran shows Muslims how they can be good, righteous, useful and successful. Although there are differing assessments and theories about the Koran's message to mankind, Islamic scholars converge on the view that the Koran and the Prophet Mohammed had the aim of delivering the patterns of proper and ethical conduct to which a true Muslim must subscribe. One of the stipulations by the Koran to the Muslims is to fast during Ramadan. Therefore, those willing Muslims having the appropriate conditions both read the Koran more closely in order to understand the layers of meaning it has and step up their efforts to be humans of proper conduct while fasting.
Here we have the individual dimension of Ramadan and fasting in the fore, which dimension stands out as one to enhance an individual's humane characteristics. Showing abstinence from daybreak to sunset from basic needs makes numerous contributions in terms of self-development. While fasting, an individual, besides surrendering to God, scores some gains where health is concerned. Abstinence from basic needs and doing so voluntarily enhances the ability of self-control and self-discipline. It teaches to be patient and stand on one's feet in the face of difficulties, helping develop sentiments of empathy and benevolence for mankind and the whole universe.
It also gives strength to the individual to protect against the monster of consumption, one of mankind's deplorable weaknesses. So, we can say Ramadan and fasting consolidate socialization. It is a period of strengthened intra-family and inter-family interaction, which encompasses the entire society. Those fasting and doing the required prayers during Ramadan get together more often than usual on such occasions as the fast-breaking dinner called iftar, the special prayers at night exclusive to Ramadan known as teravih and the meal before daybreak called sahur. Almsgiving is also another tool of increased mutual assistance in this sacred month. Support is given to the poor, the infirm, the orphaned and those wrestling with the many hardships of life, which is conducive to a sense of socialization and culture of solidarity.
Social solidarity necessitates a look at fasting from the angle of mankind as a whole. Ramadan is not limited to the people of a single country, but a period covering all Muslims, hence man in general. Therefore, such dimensions of Ramadan as individual ethics, social solidarity and mutual assistance can or should be considered at the scale of all human kind. When viewed from this perspective, we have to take into account the circumstances not only in Turkey or any other country but the circumstances prevailing in the world over so that Ramadan and fasting can be appraised within this frame.
Ramadan, as it always did previously, has recalled this year as well the weak and vulnerable aspects of mankind and our human nature. There are incredible differences and inequalities between the East-West, North-South countries. The gap between the wealthy and the poor is staggeringly huge. While part of mankind live in unimaginable grandeur, excessiveness , extravagance and razzmatazz, another part try to survive fighting abhorrent conditions, primitive standards, filth, squalor and all kinds of hardships. The bulk of this inequality stems from the differences in developed and underdeveloped countries. For example, the differences between the United States and the European countries and African, Asian and Latin American countries are something which pertains to the different levels of development in economy, science, politics and humanitarian matters.
Some of the inequalities have to do with natural conditions, faulty state policies and human weaknesses. For example, Pakistan and China suffered the worst-ever floods in many years and the people are experiencing the devastation and misery the floods have left in their trail.
It should never be forgotten that the wrong policies pursued by governments and states have kind of become instrumental in the perseverance of these problems. Have the US and Israel not made any contributions to the suffering of the peoples in Iraq, Afghanistan, Gaza and the other Palestinian territories?
But most importantly, can we ignore the people all over the world from East to West , including the ordinary man on the street , remaining a mere spectator and giving at times support to all these problems and inequalities? As a result, Ramadan is also a period when we have to think of these grave problems and inequalities and try to find ways to resolve them. All these problems we have talked about also have a lot of historical, social, political and other reasons, and there are in fact many theories and views in this respect. The thing is that none of them have served as a panacea. You cannot help but ask yourself this question: Is it possible to have a completely different perspective in approaching all these problems by adopting the philosophy and spirit of Ramadan and fasting? In other words, can we sort things out by bringing to the fore such values as self-denial and empathy, social solidarity, equality, and justice among people?