 November 2002
American Friends Service Committee Peacework Magazine Patrica Watson, Editor Sara Burke, Assistant Editor Pat Farren, Founding Editor 2161 Massachusetts Ave. Telephone number: Fax number:
pwork@igc.org Peacework has been published monthly since 1972, intended to serve as a source of dependable information to those who strive for peace and justice and are committed to furthering the nonviolent social change necessary to achieve them. Rooted in Quaker values and informed by AFSC experience and initiatives, Peacework offers a forum for organizers, fostering coalition-building and teaching the methods and strategies that work in the global and local community. Peacework seeks to serve as an incubator for social transformation, introducing a younger generation to a deeper analysis of problems and issues, reminding and re-inspiring long-term activists, encouraging the generations to listen to each other, and creating space for the voices of the disenfranchised. Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC. |
Ramadan and the Feast of Eid Yale University Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh maintains an email list which focuses on the Middle East. A recent posting discussed Ramadan, Eid, and the word evolution described here. At the end of his piece, he reminds readers of common ground already in place when he reflects "No wonder that Islam recognizes people who practice Christianity and Judaism as 'people of the book.'" To join Qumsiyeh's email listserv, write to mazin-qumsiyeh@yale.edu. (This digest was prepared by Sandi Reinardy, Peacework intern and graduate student at Boston University.) The new moon this November 6 marks the beginning of Ramadan, a month when Muslims renew their commitment to discipline, self-restraint and generosity by fasting during daylight hours. After abstaining from food, drink and other physical pleasures from dawn to sunset every day for one month, Muslims celebrate the breaking of the fast on a holiday called Eid al-Fitr. Ramadan is an opportunity to emphasize commitment to Islamic faith through willful sacrifice during a time naturally marked by one full cycle of the moon. Chapter two of the Quran suggests that the particular position of Ramadan on the Islamic lunar calender celebrates the month in which the Quran is believed to have been revealed or "sent down ... as a guide to mankind." But like the naturally seasonal aspect of the Ramadan itself, nuances of the holidy provide balance between sacrifice and sustainability, discipline and appreciation for the gifts of Allah. The daily fast allows time for spiritual reflection and self-restraint, but is broken at sunset with the refreshment of water and sweet fruits. Eid al-Fitr, the first day on which the new moon is sighted (expected this year on December 6), is a festive day which Muslims begin with special morning prayers and celebrate spiritual renewal with fine food and drink. While religious difference is too often the context for tense and violent relations, the language of faith often has ties that link one to another. As an Arabic word, "Eid," which means celebration or feast, is used not only by Muslims but also by Arabs who are Christian or Jewish. Christian Arabs celebrate the Birth of Christ on Eid Al Milad and Eid Al-Fish is the term for the Jewish Passover celebration.
Similarly, the word for God can be traced to the roots of each
religion. Over 6000 years ago, some Canaanites began worshipping
a single God, the one High God they called "El."
The same God was worshipped by Abraham, the prophet and leader
to the Hebrews whose story is prominent in the Old Testament,
the biblical text used by both Jews and Christians. "El"
is the root for the word for God that has evolved from the ancient
Aramaic Aalah, to the Hebrew Elohim, to the Arabic Allah. These
words for God, the central focus of their faiths, are the same
for all Muslims, Jews and Christians who speak those languages.
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