Ramadan is the 9th Islamic lunar month, Muslims fast from early dawn to sunset. Ali Amla organised a sponsored fast on Saturday 20th August 2011 and the Madani Institute hosted the Iftar. Ali said, "this was a great opportunity to experience first hand how it feels to give up food and water for a day and open the fast with the Muslim community. Participants raised money for the LEP lifesaver appeal which aims to raise £500,000 for a new scanner needed at the Royal Preston Hospital A&E. All the participants were touched by the hospitality shown by Madani Institute, the community pulled together to provide a feast. It takes a lot of courage to have decided to fast for a day and I would like to thank all the participants."
Cllr Peter Rankin, Preston City Council Leader, who fasted on Saturday said "I now understand more about Ramadan and why many of my friends and Preston citizens take part in it. At a time of famine in Somalia it also showed me in some very, very small way what it's like to be hungry and thirsty. And I know a little more about the Quran and the devotion of believers."
Reverend Helen Higgin-Botham who fasted reflected on her experiences;
Why did I decide to fast? This was something I'd never done before, so I was intrigued and challenged by it. Plus, the chance to raise money for a very worthwhile cause seemed to take the emphasis away from 'me', to what I could do for someone else.
My experience - As this was something I'd enlisted my husband in too - this was a shared experience - but one which really brought home to us the fact that this was something we could choose to do - there are many in the world who do not have that choice. It was also on a day when I would normally be at home putting the last minute touches to my worship services for Sunday, so not a time when I would have to be mentally alert at meetings etc!
It seemed very strange to be eating the 'Suhoor' at a time when I would normally be asleep - so it took me back to childhood 'midnight feasts' when I was in The Guides! And having been up so late, I slept far longer than I would normally do on a Saturday morning, figuring that the longer I was asleep, the less time I would have for thinking about food!
My reflections - When we arrived at the Madani Institute, we were greeted with such welcome. It was good to hear how others had faired during the fast. The presentations were informative and very interesting, and though Christian and Muslim beliefs do differ, we had an opportunity to see just how much we had in common. I felt that there was a lot to learn from the Islamic discipline of prayer and of fasting.
The wonderful smell of the food, which we would enjoy after breaking the fast, was almost too much to bear, but through observing the prayers and practices, our interest was kept focussed solely on our relationship with God and our reason for sharing together.
I can't say that I wasn't pleased that Sunday would be a return to 'normal life' and I could enjoy a large mug of tea when I awoke - but I have to say that I've now become more aware of how fortunate I am to be able to eat whatever and whenever I choose. Fasting does help to focus that mind on the things that are important in life, though I'm not sure if it becomes any easier. I found that I did spend time in just thanking God for the abundance in my life - and for the wonderful hospitality of the community at the Madani Institute.
Ali would like to thank the Madani Institute for their amazing hospitality and Rev Stephen Johnson and Rev Peter Hamborg for their support in organising the Experiencing Ramadan. Ali plans to organise "Experiencing Ramadan" next year. If you would like to make a donation to the LEP lifesaver appeal:
Send a cheque, made payable to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and write on the back of the cheque "Charitable Fund DI05" and send to: LEP Lifesaver Appeal (D105), General Office, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Preston Hospital , Sharoe Green Lane , Fulwood, Preston , PR2 9HT
You can also hand in cheques (with D105 on the back) or cash (with a note saying it's for Charitable Fund DI05) to the general office at both Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble hospitals.
Donations can also be taken at the Lancashire Evening Post reception on Oliver's Place, Eastway, Fulwood, Preston , Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm
Ali is a freelance consultant, who recently delivered the highly successful workshop series "Unveiling Islam". Ali delivers community dialogues, education workshops and assemblies to primary schools, secondary schools and sixth form colleges. He regularly provides training to professionals from different sectors on equality, cohesion, extremism and community engagement. Ali is organising Interfaith Week 2011 as a volunteer, in partnership with Preston Faith Forum, Lancashire Forum of Faith, The Harris Library and Preston City Council. For further information contact Ali by emailing mohammed_ali_79@yahoo.co.uk
Previous coverage of Experiencing Ramadan:
