The University of British Columbia
UBC - A Place of Mind
The University of British Columbia
UBC News
  • Home
  • News Tips
  • Arts & Humanities
  • Business, Law & Society
  • Science, Health & Technology
  • University News
  • Contacts
  • Services
    • Services for Journalists
    • Services for Faculty
Home / 2013 / July / 03 / Q&A on Islam’s holy month of Ramadan
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Q&A on Islam’s holy month of Ramadan

Jul 3, 2013

Rumee-Ahmed-ramadan-770.JPG

Dr. Rumee Ahmed

Rumee Ahmed, assistant professor of Islamic studies in the Dept. of Classical, Near Eastern and Religious Studies, discusses Ramadan, which begins July 9.

What is the significance of Ramadan?

Ramadan is a month in which devout Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. The Qur’an mentions that fasting was intended to create a heightened state of God-consciousness, but it has taken on diverse meanings over the years. Muslims might see fasting as a way to develop self-discipline, build communal solidarity, or have compassion for the less fortunate.

Ramadan signals a moment for Muslims around the world to collectively engage in pious practice. Though Ramadan is not the most religiously significant event in the Islamic calendar – that honour belongs to the Hajj and its attendant Eid al-Adha celebration – it is certainly the most practically significant in terms of its impact on daily individual and communal life.

How does the Muslim community reach out to non-Muslims during Ramadan? 

Non-Muslims are regularly encouraged to experience some aspects of Ramadan, especially in North America. Most commonly, they are invited to participate in the evening breakfast with local communities, and to raise money for the indigent through fast-a-thons and other fundraising events.

Find other stories about: Dept. of Classical, Faculty of Arts, Islamic Studies, Near Eastern and Religious Studies, ramadan, Rumee Ahmed, ubc experts

News Tips

News Tips

Looking for story ideas?
Check out our latest News Tips!

Find UBC Experts

An information source that gives journalists access to UBC’s expertise.

Explore

  • Arts & Humanities
  • Business, Law & Society
  • Science, Health & Technology
  • University News
  • Q&As
  • Media Advisories
  • Latest News

Tweets by @ubcnews

My Tweets
Subscribe & receive news by e-mail View UBC's Okanagan News Room
    
Public Affairs
310 - 6251 Cecil Green Park Road
Vancouver, BC Canada V6T 1Z1
Tel 604 822 6397
Fax 604 822 2684
Website news.ubc.ca
Email public.affairs@ubc.ca
Find us on
    
Back to top
The University of British Columbia
  • Emergency Procedures |
  • Terms of Use |
  • Copyright |
  • Accessibility