I have a prayer on my fridge door that speaks of the "sweetness" of fasting. However, I rarely fast. When I have joined with Muslim brothers and sisters fasting a day or two during Ramadan in the past, I didn't like it one bit. I remember the generosity of Iftekhar Hai, a URI founder, who brought his Ramadan charity offering of money to the URI office so that URI staff could accompany him to a neighborhood program for homeless people where he made his Ramadan donation in the name of URI. (Ramadan offerings are intended to help people directly in need) I was impressed that Ramadan required substantial giving of one's wealth and said to myself, I don't like that much of a sacrifice one bit. And of course in the month of Ramadan there is increased prayer which when I do it can feel like an interruption in the 'business" of my life. In summary, Ramadan practices require lots of honest human effort and sacrifice.
As Ramadan begins this year, I want to say thank you to millions of observing Muslims who undergo fasting, giving, prayer, and good works. I believe the aggregate of these individual efforts makes a huge difference. These actions can be an enrichment to each person, but moreover, the world's evolution towards peace is furthered, and the pain and injustice suffered by millions is relieved somehow in the mystery of sincere individual Ramadan actions.
Thank you, thank you, thank you,
Sally
