Archive for the ‘Spirituality’ Category

Ramadan at the Islamic Center of Southern California was indeed a unique experience. We were able to serve Iftar every night to an average of 400 people.  We hosted hundreds for taraweeh prayers and spiritual nights. And we engaged young community members who recited impressive Quranic excerpts in for the community

The ICSC iftars were made possible thanks to the generous contribution of our gracious donors whose response was overwhelming.  Exotic meals were provided by various restaurants and served by a group of volunteers, who went beyond the call of duty to host the community and make the breaking of fast a truly spiritual experience.  Everyone was trying to gain the pleasure of Allah (swt) by maximizing their good deeds, providing Iftar, serving Iftar, or simply cleaning up afterward.  Read the rest of this entry »

As we walk out of Ramadan, we share significant feelings and thoughts, and hopefully will make important resolutions.

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• We share the feeling of being light, less clinging to the Earth and aspiring for the highest realms of spirituality.  This is the result of feeding the soul, not just attending to the body.
• We feel clean and pure as we rejoice in the promise of the prophet (pbuh) that whoever fasted with faith and dedication will have all his past errors and sins blotted out and forgiven.  Read the rest of this entry »

When Adam Burpee’s high school football teammates rush to nearby water coolers in the afternoon heat, he watches and waits.

On a normal day, in a normal month of his senior season, the 17-year-old would take the opportunity to hydrate, but with the Muslim holy month of fasting underway, he won’t have any food or drink until after sundown — at least two hours after the end of his practices.

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It’s not easy, he said, especially with August and September temperatures that have often crept up to triple-digit levels.  Read the rest of this entry »

In today’s Los Angeles Times ( Sept. 8 ) one of the lead stories is about a Sudanese woman who has been sentenced to one month in prison for wearing pants in public.  She was originally going to receive 40 lashes for the crime as well, but her sentence was commuted, most likely to avoid further public outcry.  Earlier this year, news about the sanctioning of marital rape in Afghan legal code made its way to the outside world, sparking outrage, especially since things are supposed to be getting better, not worse, for the women in Afghanistan ever since the US-led invasion in 2001.

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At the same time, Muslim women around the world see some improvements in their lives but, more often than not, the difficulties they face can often be linked to unjust interpretations of Islamic and other laws that place women at an extreme disadvantage.  Read the rest of this entry »

When we look at Ramadan in essence, not just as a ritual, we will discover the great relevance of this essence to our lives, here and now.

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The main essence of fasting is the ability to self restrain, to postpone gratification, to be liberated from the compelling demands of our need and greed, and to do that for a higher consideration.

This is unique to human species, distinguishing us above the animal kingdom.  Read the rest of this entry »