Eyes on sky as Ramadan ends
Imran Zafar calls 2017 ‘‘bonus Ramadan’’, because for Kiwi Muslims it has fallen in the middle of winter, over the shortest days of the year.
But that still means 11 hours of the day refraining from all food and drink from sunrise to sundown for almost a month.
For the Zafar family, from Wellington, it has been a month of careful study of Islam and an opportunity to bond with each other and their community.
The first sighting of a new moon from anywhere in New Zealand or Fiji from tomorrow onwards will bring an end to the fast, after it is verified by the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ).
Studying the Koran, prayers, fasting and feasting have dominated the time of husband and wife Imran and Saba Zafar and their four children, Salman, 15, twins Fiza and Alina, 13, and youngest Suniya, 9, over the past month.
The month is all about deepening individual spirituality, building community relationships, and thinking of those with less, Imran said.
‘‘Generally it is about giving, give by food, give by body and soul,’’ he said.
‘‘Building affection for people who live like this for the rest of their lives and think about those people.’’
Throughout Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to hold community gatherings and break the fast with friends and families.
For the Zafars’ teenage twins Fiza and Alina, Ramadan has been a challenging time, avoiding school bake sales and team sports for the month, but it has also provided plenty of rewards.
‘‘What I get out of this is the teachings we learn, more about what our ancestors did, make friends at the mosque’’ Fiza said. ‘‘The best part of Ramadan is after Ramadan, the Eid, the celebrations, we get to dress up, we get to do Henna.’’
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, FIANZ president Hazim Arafeh said.
‘‘It is a kind of worship, but what is behind the worship, it is an annual training session for self control and self discipline,’’ Arafeh said.
Eid al-Fitr is the celebration held the day after Ramadan to mark the month’s achievements and it is a day of joy, celebration and community.
The Zafar family won’t just visit the local mosque, but also their favourite family restaurant, Nando’s.
‘‘It is a family tradition,’’ Fiza said.