Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Thousands begin Ramadan fasting
THOUSANDS of Dundee Muslims have started celebrating the holy month of Ramadan – and locals are being invited to take part to find out more about the festival.
Ramadan takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and commemorates the first revelation of the Koran to Muhammad.
Bashir Chohan, head of Dundee Islamic Society, said that as of yesterday, Muslims from 13 nationalities across the city were observing the event.
Mr Chohan said: “It is an important event i n the Muslim calendar and involves a period of fasting for the next 30 days.
“We fast from dawn until dusk when we are allowed to begin eating again.
“I have my first meal of the day at 9.30pm when we usually begin eating with a selection of snacks.
“We eat all sorts of food at this time from east and west and often begin with a cold drink or a milk shake.”
Mr Chohan explained that fasting was for adults with children beginning to take part from the age of about 10-12.
He said: “It is up to children and their families to decide when the children can cope with fasting.”
Mr Choham said that at night, following the breaking of the fast, Muslims would be going along to the five mosques in the city to pray.
“We listen to the Imam reciting from the Koran for an hour and we say special prayers,” he said.
“And while at the mosque we serve around 300 to 400 meals a night to visitors.”
During Ramadam, Mr Chohan said that Muslims were also expected to be on their best behaviour at all times.
“Of course we should always be on our best behaviour but it is particularly important during Ramadan,” he said.
“Ramadan is a very spiritual time for us. It is a peaceful time and an opportunity to repair body and soul.
“We eat for the rest of the year and it is an order from God to obey his rules and take part in fasting and prayer during Ramadan.”
Mr Chohan said that, as always, he would welcome Dundee residents to visit the mosques during Ramadan.
He said: “Anyone is welcome to visit our mosques and take part in what is happening during the month.
“We would be delighted for people to come along and see what we do and take part if they so wish.
“Women as well as men are very welcome to attend. We are happy to share our religious beliefs and traditions with everyone in Dundee.”
Ramadan began this year on May 15 and will end on Thursday June 14.