Ramadan 2021

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, or the central tenets of their faith. Tomorrow, the world’s 1.9 billion Muslims celebrate the holiday from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next, with daytime fasting and nighttime merry-making that culminates in Eid al-Fitr. Merry-making I guess would be minimal or somber still, just like last year in 2020.

Last year I fasted. I am no Muslim - but I joined my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters around the world who fast from dusk till dawn during their holiest month. This will be my second.

I was guided and helped through by a wonderful Muslim couple (at the height of the pandemic) who shared Iftar meals with me - everyday – and would wake me up for Suhoor for the whole month last year. Thank you Kubra Iram and Faizan.

It might be difficult this year as I would be alone and temptations to not fast or not drink a drop would be playing in the corners of my mind. But I did manage last year, so I will manage this year too. I pray.

Every year when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan rolls around, I stand in awe of my Muslim sisters and brothers. The fast that Muslims observe during Ramadan is so much more stringent than anything we Catholics do for Lent, or even ever required to do. It boggles my mind — not to mention my digestive tract.

Fasting for Catholics is not even remotely close to what fasting means for Muslims during Ramadan. Eating one full meal, meatless or not, is far different from not eating at all. And being able to consume liquids is far different from going thirsty as Muslims are required to do.

The Muslim approach, where nothing passes one's lips — solid or liquid — all day long, makes the Catholic approach downright tepid.

But I am a devout Catholic so pass no judgement on me, ok?

Still, both practices exist as a reminder that there is something more important than the material in life — something, indeed, Someone is more significant than food, Someone is larger than life, and indeed, beyond human life.

And so, I wish a blessed Ramadan to our Muslim sisters and brothers. We Catholics prays with you. Ramadan Mubarak!

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