A time of reflection, prayer begins

Deepa Bharath

Fasting bonds them together. It makes them stronger.

Millions of Muslims all over the world began observing Ramadan

Wednesday morning. For about 30 days, they will refrain from eating

and drinking starting one and a half hours before sunrise and break

their fast at sunset.

It is a time of reflection, prayer and purification, said Imam

Mostafa Qazwini of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County.

“Ramadan is a month of intense devotion,” he said. “It offers us

opportunities to deepen and renew our faith. It’s also a time we

regenerate our spirit and practice self restraint.”

The act of fasting brings Muslims together, Qazwini said. But in

the post-Sept. 11 era, it is very important for Muslims to establish

good relations with their fellow human beings, he said.

“That’s my message to our community,” the Imam said. “We need to

educate others about what Islam really is and remove the negative

stereotypes.”

Local Muslims congregate at the Costa Mesa mosque every night

during the month of Ramadan to pray and read a chapter a day from

their holy book, the Koran.

One of the nights during the month that is significant is Lailat

al Qadr, which falls on Wednesday, Nov. 27, this year.

“We believe that was the day the Koran was revealed to the Prophet

Muhammad,” Qazwini said.

On that night, prayers are offered from sunset to daybreak the

next day.

Most Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan. Exceptions are

pregnant or nursing women, travelers, old people and those who are

sick. Some of them make up for lost time when they are able to do so.

Amina Inooes, a Santa Ana Heights resident, said that for her,

Ramadan is “a time to get closer to God.”

“I try to step away from my routine life and think about my life,”

she said. “It’s a time for me to find guidance and rejuvenate

physically, emotionally and spiritually.”