Yesterday a lot of Muslims started fasting for thirty days. Today (April 3rd) a lot of others are starting too.
Now everyone is fasting together.
By 2030, the world’s total Muslim population is expected to increase by 35 percent over its 2010 level, to 2.2 billion people. In total, Muslims will make up about 26 percent of the world’s population, an increase of about 3 percent from today’s level. (source, pbr.org).
And as of 2021:
Most Muslims are either of two denominations: Sunni (87–90%, roughly 1.7 billion people) or Shia (10–13%, roughly 180–230 million people). (source, wikipedia)
The former, started fasting yesterday, and the latter, for the most part started fasting today.
If 60% of 1.7 billion people will be trying to fast in one way or another, then roughly 1 billion people will be living a shared intention of fasting and abstaining from sin for 30 days.
Everyone will fast differently, and will have a various degree of leniency, though for the most part, it means no water or food during sunset, and being intentional in extending our patience.
the sun sets in Toronto at 7:47pm.
in Baghdad time the sun sets at 6:24pm.
We’re from the old Iraq. The back home Iraq. And so, what is life like for today. What is my intention?
A remembrance. Either an awareness of time to look in the mirror and self-reflect with honesty to life and our intentions, and to remember God s.w.t. is here and present in every hour lest we forget.
For blessings, Ramadan is an opportunity to be Frodo, and sam. And everyone else in the fellowship who were tried along the way by the temptation of the ring. A reminder that the Devil is present in every hour, lest we forget.
This global awareness of Ramadan’s purpose amongst muslims is real, and today exists against a backdrop of a world gone downhill.
While overall, and over-time, the world becomes a better place, there’s some bad stuff continuously happening along the way, and I don’t see a lot to look up to out there.
I do see a lot to look up to in those close to me. And some distant. And in community.
Living your change is hard and Ramadan gives us an accountability that we can hopefully carry past the 30 days.
Salams.
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This newsletter will be published daily throughout the coming 30 days. Either in brief sentences, or whole newsletters.