Ramadan is a Muslim religious practice observing a holy time in which one may apply themselves to furthering their knowledge on the teachings of Islam without distraction, reflect on their worship and spiritual path, become closer to Allah, take part in charity, and spend precious time with their family.
Ramadan takes place annually on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This year, it is observed from May 15 through June 14. During this time, Muslims take part in a fast, also known as Sawm. Ramadan derived the practice of Sawm from the Five Pillars of Islam: Shahadah (professing the Muslim faith), Salat (engaging in a prayer ritual five times daily), Zakat (giving to the needy), Sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan), and Hajj (journey to Mecca, the Holy City). This fast lasts from sunrise to sunset allowing time for the observance of the other four pillars with the intent to experience vast personal and religious growth.
When I was an undergrad, I had the privilege of befriending a colleague who continues to remain one of my closest friends to date. Unfortunately, this was during the peak of the U.S./ISIS tension and I could tell she was uncomfortable revealing her faith to me in fear of what prejudice I may hold. As we gradually became closer, she told me that she is Turkish but she was born in Russia and her family migrated to America on visas before securing citizenship. She came from a Muslim family who were believers of Islam and contrary to how she thought I might accept this knowledge, I was nothing short of amazed. One might call this amazement, cultural enlightenment.
As one who does not take part in the Islamic faith but has the utmost respect for those that do, exposure to this religion has caused me to reflect on what it would mean if Americans adopted the practice of something similar to Ramadan in terms of political and governmental fasting. To be clear, I am not suggesting a purge. Rather, I question what we would give up annually for a month in order to improve our system of government. Could party prejudice be set aside for one month both in our personal lives and the media? What would happen if we collectively abandoned intolerance to racial and sexual orientation? Could we cease relentlessly impressing our religious views on others in favor of cultural acceptance? What would this mean for America?
Differences are to be accepted for they will always live on no matter how adamant we are in attempting to stomp them out. Take Hitler's rule for example. The Nazis aimed to essentially wipe Jews from all existence, yet Judaism thrives as one of the most popular religions in the world with approximately 6.8 million followers in the U.S. alone.
One is not in any position to judge what they do not know. Perhaps we would see a brilliant change if we devoted this month alongside the very people we judge. After all, it is one thing to hold a blind opinion and an entirely different one to know what it is like to live in another's shoes.
