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Ramadan
Funeral  and  Burial  Requirements

Religious Program Specialist 3 & 2, Module 01-Personnel Support
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for  fasting.  The  purposes  for  fasting  were  self-discipline  and  commiseration with  the  hungry  of  the  earth.  The  idea  of  a  fast  was  not  new—Jews  and Christians  had  fasted  before  then.  Unlike  the  sunset-to-sunset  fasts  of  the Jews,  Mohammed’s  fast  was  to  last  for  an  entire  month,  but  only  during daylight  hours— “Eat  and  drink  until  so  much  of  the  dawn  appears  that  a white  thread  may  be  distinguished  from  a  black,  then  keep  the  fast  com- pletely until night.” Each day of Ramadan is regarded as a fresh trial, which, if  carried  successfully  to  sunset,  is  ended  with  food  and  joy. For  many  Moslems,  the  fast  of  Ramadan  is  the  most  scrupulously observed of all religious duties. Everyone must fast except children, the sick and aged, pregnant women, and those undergoing the heavy burden of desert travel.  The  days  are  supposed  to  be  spent  in  prayer  and  meditation.  Trade and  public  affairs  slow  markedly  during  the  day,  but  the  sunset  cannon signals the awakening. During  the  month  of  fasting,  the  meal  schedule  has  to  be  adjusted providing a pre-dawn light meal and a post-sunset breakfast meal. Muslims prefer  to  begin  the  breakfast  meal  with  dates.  At  the  end  of  the  month,  a small  charity  may  be  given  away  to  the  poor  (as  alms)  on  behalf  of  each Muslim  soul.  (In  addition,  an  adult  Muslim  needs  the  means  to  make  a pilgrimage  to  Mecca  at  least  once  in  his  life.) Celebrations  of  many  kinds  take  place  throughout  the  Moslem  world. Public  holidays  include  Mohammed’s  birthday,  which  is  widely  celebrated. The  Shiites  (pronounced  SHE-ites),  a  major  sect  of  Islam,  have  some  addi- tional festivals and ceremonies. A very important day observes mourning for the  death  of  Husain,  a  grandson  of  Mohammed,  in  A.D.  661.  They  also celebrate  the  birthday  of  Fatima,  Mohammed’s  daughter. Private   ceremonies   in   a   Moslem’s   life   include   celebrations   at   birth, circumcision, and weddings. But the event that Moslems take the most pride in is a child’s memorization of the entire Koran. After a child has done this, his family holds a party to honor both the student and his teacher, and both receive gifts. LIFE CYCLE RITES Marriage in Islam is not a sacrament. It is a pledge or contract by which the partners regulate their mutual relations. Marriage is usually prearranged by  an  intermediary  who  establishes  a  proper  contract  and  makes  arrange- ments  for  a  proper  dowry  from  the  prospective  husband.  The  couple  does not meet in private until after marriage. Men may marry Jewish or Christian women;  women,  however,  are  not  allowed  to  marry  outside  Islamic  faith. Divorce  is  possible  for  the  male  by  repudiation—such  repudiation  must be made three times. A wife may divorce her husband by court decision only. OTHER PRACTICES OR RESTRICTIONS Dietary Laws or Restrictions Pork  and  its  derivatives,  intoxicating  beverages  or  liquors,  and  harmful drugs, (such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, or any drug that is taken without 2-74







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