Mubarak’s Name Is Screwing Up 2011 Ramadan Greetings

How Mubarak’s Name Is Screwing Up 2011 Ramadan Greetings

AP

As Muslims observe the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, there are a lot of “Ramadan Mubarak” (Blessed Ramadan) wishes going around–so much, in fact, that the traditional greeting is aworldwide trending topic on Twitter. But, as several people are pointing out today on the microblogging site, the phrase has a different ring to it in the wake of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation during the Arab Spring–his name and “blessed,” just as the transliteration suggests, are in fact the same word: مبارك. ”Never say “Ramadan #Mubarak” to your #Egyptian friends, they simply hate the name … Use Ramadan Kareem instead,” Turkish Middle East expert Ufuk Ulutas advises, echoing Al Aan TV’s Jenan Moussa, among others. The Gaza Youth Break Out Twitter feed offers similar guidance: ”I hate remembering #Mubarak, say Ramadan Kareem. Thank God none of the arab leaders is called kareem.” Perhaps all this explains why President Obama wished Muslims around the world a “blessed month” in English and a “Ramadan Kareem” in Arabic today.

NPR’s Andy Carvin is surprised by how few people are saying Ramadan Mubarak. “You would think they’d consider Mubarak finally reclaimed as theirs, not his,” he tweets. Still others are cracking jokes. “#Ramadan Mubarak is so 2010. We now say Ramadan Tantawi,” tweets Egyptian activist Hussein Allam, in reference to Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, the head of Egypt’s ruling military council. ”#slapyourself if you think Ramadan Mubarak is the son of Hosni Mubarak,” Kenyan blogger Gidi O. Gidi adds. But not everyone’s amused. “I, seriously, will unfollow anyone who tweets a lame joke about Ramadan ‘Mubarak’ and Eid ‘Mubarak,’” warns Egypt-based Twitter user @sselhelw.

The first day of Ramadan, in fact, is proving quite tense in Egypt. Only a day after a coalition of political parties and pro-democracy activists announced that they’d suspend their protest in Tahrir Square until after Ramadan, tanks and riot police have stormed the square, dismantling tents, chasing away protesters, and detaining some activists, according to the Los Angeles Times. Most of the protesters who were still in the square when the security forces arrived were relatives of Egyptians killed during the revolution in February, according to the paper. You can watch footage of the clashes,highlighted by NPR’s Andy Carvin, here.

The picture above shows a street vendor plugging in Ramadan decorations in Amman, Jordan on Friday. We’ve added an arrow pointing to the word “mubarak”–the first part is “Ramadan.”

Ramadan Mubarak …. Which Means “Blessed Ramadan”

To My readers of the Islamic faith I send you greetings on this Ramadan 2012

 

A Little About Ramadan for People Who Would Like To Know

What is the history of Ramadan?

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. The term Ramadan literally means scorching in Arabic. It was established as a Holy Month for Muslims after the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE on the occasion known as Laylat al-Qadr, frequently translated as “the Night of Power.

Observance of Ramadan is mandated in the Quran, Surah 2, Ayah 185: 

“The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.”

 

What are the dates of Ramadan?

Because the cycle of the lunar calendar does not match the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan shifts by approximately 11 days each year. In 2011, Ramadan began on August 1st. In 2012 Ramadan is likely to begin on July 20th.

The ending of Ramadan is marked by the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, which takes place either 29 or 30 days after the beginning of the month. On Eid ul-Fitr, morning prayers are followed by feasting and celebration among family and friends. This year Eid ul-Fitr will most probably fall on Sunday, August 19th.

What are the daily fasting requirements?

During the month of Ramadan, most Muslims fast from dawn to sunset with no food or water. Before sunrise many Muslims have the Suhur or predawn meal. At sunset families and friends gather for Iftar which is the meal eaten by Muslims to break the fast. Many Muslims begin the meal by eating dates as the Prophet used to do.

This ritual fast known as, Sawm, is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires that individuals abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse.

To find the specific times for Ramadan fasting, click over to this helpful tool provided by IslamiCity that allows you to calculate prayer schedules — including sunup and sundown — by entering your city or zip code.

What are the expectations towards charity?

Charity is an important part of Ramadan. The fast emphasizes self-sacrifice and using the experience of hunger to grow in empathy with the hungry. During Ramadan, Muslim communities work together to raise money for the poor, donate clothes and food, and hold iftar dinners for the less fortunate.

What scriptural study do Muslims take part in?

Many Muslims use Ramadan to read the entire Quran or read the Quran daily. Many communities divide the Quran into daily reading segments that conclude on Eid ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan.

Can non-Muslims participate?

Non-Muslims are free to participate in Ramadam. Many non-Muslims fast and even pray with their Muslim friends or family members. Non-Muslims are often invited to attend prayer and iftar dinners.

Those wishing to be polite to someone who is fasting for Ramadan may greet them with Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem, which mean Have a Blessed or Generous Ramadan.

Should Muslims with diabetes fast?

Fasting during Ramadan is discouraged for patients with diabetes by the American Diabetes Association.

“In keeping with this, a large epidemiological study conducted in 13 Islamic countries on 12,243 individuals with diabetes who fasted during Ramadan showed a high rate of acute complications.”

 

However, the study says this was not conclusive. Many diabetic patients fasted with no complications. Patients with diabetes should work with their doctors to figure out a strategy if they choose to fast.

What is the ‘goal’ of Ramadan?

In general, the practices of Ramadan are meant to purify oneself from thoughts and deeds which are counter to Islam. By removing material desires, one is able to focus fully on devotion and service to God. Many Muslims go beyond the physical ritual of fasting and attempt to purge themselves of impure thoughts and motivations such as anger, cursing, and greed.

Do all Muslims take part in Ramadan fasting?

Most Muslims believe Ramadan fasting is mandatory, but there are some groups that do not. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, people who are seriously sick, travelers, or those at health risk should not fast. Children that have not gone through puberty are also not required to fast during the month Ramadan.