Ramadan

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is a Muslim religious observance that takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, believed to be the month in which the Qur'an was revealed to Angel Gabriel which later was revealed to Prophet Muhammad. It is the Islamic month of fasting (sawm), in which participating Muslims do not eat or drink anything from dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the person patience and humility. Ramadan is a time to fast for the sake of God, and to offer even more prayer than usual. Also involved in Ramadan are asking forgiveness for the sins of the past, asking for guidance in the future, and asking for help with refraining from every day evils and trying to purify oneself through self-restraint and good deeds.

Fasting

During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual activities during fasting hours are also forbidden.Qur'an Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to God Almighty. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of peace and calm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, and sympathy for those who are less fortunate, intended to make Muslims more generous and charitable. Muslims can eat after the sun has set.

Pregnant women, the elderly, the ill, and travellers are all exempt from fasting as lack of food and liquid in these situations could be detrimental to health. The fast is also not considered compulsory in childhood (typically considered to end at puberty), although many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible, as practice for later life.

What Have We Gained From Ramadan?

Ramadan is a school of iman and a 'stop to recharge one's spiritual batteries' - to acquire one's provision for the rest of the year...

For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah 'azza wa jall. “Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves

If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against you soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.

Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it... Have you seen one who sewed a shirt or thawb, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?! Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people say about such a person?!

Feast of the end of Ramadan Month or Korite Festival in Senegal

Korite oer Eid is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Koriteis an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Eid means "to break the fast" (and can also mean "nature", from the word "fitrah") and so symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period.

Eid ul-Fitr starts the day after Ramadan ends, and is verified by the sighting of the new moon. Muslims give money to the poor and wear their best clothes. Eid ul-Fitr lasts three days and is called "The Smaller Eid" compared with the Eid ul-Adha that lasts four days and is called "The Greater Eid"

On the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family awakes very early, does the first everyday prayer, and is required to eat a little, symbolizing the end of Ramadan. They then attend special congregational prayers held in mosques, large open areas, stadiums and arenas. The prayer is generally short and is followed by a sermon .Worshippers greet and embrace each other with hugs in a spirit of peace and love after the congregational prayer. After the special prayers, festivities and merriment are commonly observed with visits to the homes of relatives and friends to thank God for all blessings.

Mame Cheikh

Senegal Dakar

Magal de Touba Thousands of Muslim Pilgrims Flock to Touba

"Work on earth as if you will never die and obey the divine rules as if you were going to die immediately", taught 19th century Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké of Senegal who established the Islamic Mouride Brotherhood. Today hundreds of thousands of Muslims converge on Touba, the city of Islam founded by Sheikh Mbacké, to mark the 106th anniversary of his exile by the French colonial government.Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from Senegal and abroad have converged on the holy city of Touba, 200 km from Dakar, for the 106th commemoration of the departure of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké into exile.

The founder of the Mouride brotherhood was forced to go in exile in Gabon by colonial rulers on 20 September 1895.

Commonly known as "magal" (pay tribute, celebrate, magnify in the local African Wolof language), the annual religious gathering in Touba, which took place early Saturday, is considered as an occasion for thanksgiving to Allah the Almighty.

"Mouridism" may be defined as an aspiration to Allah the Almighty (Mouridoulahi) in accordance with the prophet's message.

In one of his numerous writings, 'Matlabul Fawzeyni' (the quest for happiness in both worlds), Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba describes the purpose of the city which he founded in 1887. In his concept, Touba should reconcile the spiritual and the temporal.

Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba intended to have the spiritual capital of his brotherhood showing all the characteristics of a Muslim city. The search for knowledge and economic prosperity, in accordance with Mouridism doctrine, are of utmost importance.

In his lifetime, the Sheikh recommended to his disciples "to work on earth as if they will never die and obey the divine rules as if they were going to die immediately".

Touba, which under normal circumstances has a population of one million, is now hosting close to three million pilgrims from all corners of Senegal and neighbouring countries, as well as immigrant workers based in Europe and America.

In the early years of independence, the holy city was a small town in the middle of a dense forest. Today it has all the facilities found in major cities -- banks, telecommunications, water, electricity and, of course, commercial activities.

A special power line was recently installed by the national electricity company to step up supply. Special arrangements were also made to ensure adequate water is available from the city taps.

Africa

So this is pic had been taken when we got back to Goree island which is probably the area's favorite and most famous tourist attraction. One of the most frequently visited sites is the Maison des Esclaves (Slave House), a poignant reminder of Goreé's role as the center of West African slave trade. Built by the Dutch in 1776, the slave house has been preserved in its original state.

Cheikh Ibra

Africa's people ---Mame


((Mame(ur far left) is one of the beautiful people in the world. He will be representing New Lifee 101 in Senegal Africa. Mame uploaded the one picture above, but will constantly upload photos, and sooner or later write full length blogs about his countries music, arts, and Lifee.

Glad to have you on board.
Love you!

Keep creating!

---Liz