Well, the Islamic Association in Stockholm has determined that Ramadan starts here on 22nd August. So tomorrow (21st) is a day of preparation... I'm rather happy, because I've the Swedish Veteran Athletics Championships tomorrow, competing in two events (shotput and discus); it will be nice to drink water - I'll cherish every drop!
I found an online timetable of Stockholm times for Fajr & Maghrib (dawn & dusk) at:
http://aysha.se/Salattider_ramadan-2009-22%20augusti.pdf
Another website is at:
http://www.ifstockholm.se
Once the format for Peace Month is clear, there perhaps may be little need to consider Islam & Ramadan... but for every day I fast, one billion others also are fasting. I reckon I'll feel some solidarity, especially as the rest of the world will be largely oblivious to our efforts at sacrifice, self-learning, and peace.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
When Does Fasting Start?
It's easy to say "Peace Month overlaps with Ramadan" - but when does Ramadan start? If you are Muslim, it's easy to know from your mosque and community when Ramadan begins locally. Even then, there is variation between parts of the world. But for non-Muslims, it is tricky to know. Ramadan officially begins the evening of the first day of the lunar month. So publicity that "Ramadan begins on the 21st" may mean that the first day of fasting is the 22nd. Tonight I will go to sleep expecting to start the Peace Month fast tomorrow. Here in Stockholm, going without food & drink the first day runs from 1:30AM to 8:30PM; it promises to be a long day...
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