Suisse: Les musulmans célèbrent la fin du Ramadan

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Les musulmans de Suisse célèbrent jeudi la fin du Ramadan. Des prières et des repas communs se tiennent dans la plupart des grandes villes pour fêter la clôture de ce jeûne long d'un mois

L'affluence dans les mosquées se révèle nettement plus importante que d'habitude lors de l'Aïd el-Fitr, la fête qui rompt le Ramadan, explique Farhad Afshar, président de la Coordination des organisations islamiques de Suisse (COIS). «Ce jour est l'équivalent de Noël chez les chrétiens.» Beaucoup de musulmans prennent donc congé à cette occasion.

La capacité de certaines mosquées est largement dépassée. A Berne par exemple, deux prières consécutives sont célébrées afin de pouvoir satisfaire tout le monde. Et cela s'avère à peine suffisant. «Des gens ne trouvent malgré tout pas de place à l'intérieur. Ils restent alors dehors et prient dans la rue.» » | ats/Newsnet | jeudi 08 août 2013

Viewpoint: This Ramadan We've Shown Islam and Britishness Are Not Incompatible

THE GUARDIAN: Despite the attacks post-Woolwich, with events like the Big Iftar British Muslims have reached out to the wider community

This week British Muslims and Muslims across the world celebrated Eid al-Fitr. After a month of fasting, prayer and reflection there was a time to celebrate and enjoy family meals. Ramadan has been tough this year – not just because of the long, hot summer days, but because of the recent string of attacks on Muslim communities and the shadow of the terrible events of Woolwich in May.

Since the horrific murder of soldier Lee Rigby on the streets of London, we have seen bombs set off at mosques, a school targeted by arsonists, and a Somali community centre razed to the ground. A month earlier we saw the terrible murder of 82-year-old Mohammed Saleem in Birmingham, a horrific crime for which a man has been charged and which police are treating as an act of terrorism.

The reaction to these attacks among the British Muslim community was striking. Their response wasn't to retreat; it was to reach out. This Ramadan, hundreds of community iftars (evening meals, when the fast is broken) have been held across the country. They have united people of all faiths and none, many of whom have never been in a mosque before, breaking bread in order to break down barriers. Many of these were part of the Big Iftar, which culminated with the prime minister's visit to the Jamia Masjid in Manchester on Wednesday. » | Sayeeda Warsi | Sarurday, August 10, 2013

Europe: Ramadan Wrap-Up, 2013

GATESTONE INSTITUTE: The real reason for the withdrawal of the documentary, according to bloggers in Finland, was because the documentary -- which included the forgotten women of the Arab Spring and the public rapes of women in Egypt -- is critical of the low status of women under Islam.

Muslims across Europe are marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month which, in accordance with the lunar calendar, this year fell between July and August.

Ramadan was a major topic for public discussion, and the month-long holiday received heavy press coverage from print and broadcast media in all parts of Europe -- a reflection of the rising influence of Islam across the continent.

Muslim leaders sought to leverage the media attention to showcase Ramadan -- a time when Muslims refrain from taking food or water between sunrise and sunset -- as the peaceful nature of Islam in Europe.

Muslims were supported by European multiculturalists – who, when it comes to Judaism and Christianity, are staunch enforcers of secularism. They made great efforts to draw up guidelines, issue instructions and carve out special privileges to ensure that Muslims were not offended by non-Muslims during the festival.

As in past years, Ramadan-related controversies also fuelled heated debates in many countries.

In Britain, for example, Channel 4 became the first mainstream British television channel to broadcast the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) live each morning during Ramadan (see video here). Channel 4 also broadcast a series of programs about Ramadan called "Ramadan Diaries" which explored how British Muslims "cope with the physical and spiritual effects of fasting."

Channel 4 said the special Ramadan programming was an act of "deliberate provocation" to anyone who associates Islam with extremism. » | Soeren Kern | Thursday, August 08, 2013

Message du pape François aux musulmans pour la fin du Ramadan (Aïd al-Fitr)

SAPHIR NEWS: Voici l'intégralité du message personnel du pape François adressé aux musulmans du monde entier pour l'Aïd al-Fitr qui signe la fin du Ramadan.

C’est pour moi un grand plaisir de vous saluer alors que vous célébrez ‘Id al- Fitr’ concluant ainsi le mois de Ramadan, consacré principalement au jeûne, à la prière et à l’aumône.

Il est désormais de tradition qu’en cette occasion le Conseil Pontifical pour le Dialogue Interreligieux vous adresse un Message de vœux, accompagné d’un thème en vue d’une réflexion commune. Cette année, la première de mon Pontificat, j’ai décidé de signer moi-même ce Message traditionnel et de vous l’envoyer, chers amis, comme expression d’estime et d’amitié envers tous les musulmans, spécialement envers leurs chefs religieux.

Comme vous le savez, lorsque les cardinaux m’ont élu Évêque de Rome et Pasteur universel de l’Eglise catholique, j’ai choisi le nom de « François », un saint très célèbre qui a si profondément aimé Dieu et chaque être humain au point d’être appelé le «Frère universel». Il a aimé, aidé et servi les nécessiteux, les malades et les pauvres ; en outre il a eu un grand souci de la sauvegarde de la création.

Je suis conscient que les dimensions de la famille et de la société sont particulièrement importantes pour les musulmans pendant cette période, et il vaut la peine de noter qu’il y a des parallèles avec la foi et la pratique chrétiennes dans chacun de ces domaines. » | Rédigé par Pape François | lundi 05 août 2013

Pope Sends Message of Respect for Muslims

THE NEW YORK TIMES: In a demonstration of what the Vatican spokesman called Pope Francis’ “particular attention to relations with the Muslim world,” the pope on Friday personally signed the Holy See message for Muslims at the end of Ramadan, calling for “mutual respect through education” between Christianity and Islam.

“We are called to respect the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols, its values,” Francis wrote in a statement distributed by the Holy See.

“We have to bring up our young people to think and speak respectfully of other religions and their followers,” said the message, which stressed the enhanced role that education must play in building respect for different religions and the need “to avoid ridiculing or denigrating their convictions and practices.”

“As an expression of esteem and friendship for all Muslims,” Francis decided to personally sign his good wishes to Muslims worldwide on the feast of Id al-Fitr, which celebrates the end of Ramadan, a month of prayer and fasting. Historically, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has delivered the message on behalf of the Holy See. The last pope to send a personal message to Muslims was John Paul II in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf war in 1991. » | Gaia Pianigiani | Friday, August 02, 2013

Rauchen, trinken und essen – während des Ramadan

TAGESANZEIGER: Im Maghreb begehren immer mehr Jugendliche gegen das Fasten auf. Sie stellen Bilder ins Internet, die sie beim Essen, Trinken und Rauchen zeigen. Wie gehen Muslime in der Schweiz mit dem Verzicht um?

Es ist die Zeit des Verzichts. Während des Ramadan, des neunten Monats im islamischen Mondkalender, gelten für gläubige Muslime strenge Regeln: kein Essen, kein Trinken und kein Beischlaf mit dem Ehepartner – dies von der Morgendämmerung bis zum Sonnenuntergang. Die «innere Dimension» des Fastens geht noch weiter. Man soll sich gänzlich von Sünde freihalten. So wird die Seele gereinigt und geläutert und die Beziehung zu Gott gefestigt.

Daran halten muss sich jeder geistig zurechnungsfähige Muslim ab der Pubertät. Doch gerade in jungen Jahren scheint Verzicht schwierig – vor allem wenn dieser Pflicht ist. Immer mehr jugendliche Muslime in Ländern wie Tunesien oder Marokko wehren sich gegen das vorgeschriebene Fasten – und zwar öffentlich. » | Michèle Widmer | Montag, 29. Juli 2013

President Obama Hosts an Iftar Dinner

President Obama hosts an Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan in the State Dining Room. This is the fifth Iftar that President Obama has hosted, continuing the tradition of hosting Iftars that began annually under President Clinton and was continued by President George W. Bush. The invited guests include elected officials, religious and grassroots leaders in the Muslim American community, and leaders of diverse faiths and members of the diplomatic corps.

Ramadan Message from Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister

Ramadan message from Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Democrats in Britain. Clegg praises Muslims in Britain as a "voice for peace" following the horrific Woolwich beheading of British soldier, Lee Rigby, by one of their fellow Muslim jihadists.

Ramadan 2013: Message from David Cameron

Prime Minister David Cameron offers his best wishes to Muslims around the world during Ramadan.

Ramadan: Gebetsruf im TV provoziert die Briten

SCHWEIZER RADIO UND FERNSEHEN: Grossbritanniens öffentlich-rechtlicher TV-Sender Channel 4 strahlt den Ruf des Muezzins aus. Täglich, während des ganzen Fastenmonats Ramadan, der heute angefangen hat. Das sorgt für Kritik, obwohl Nachts um drei kaum einer zuschaut.

«Channel 4 versucht tatsächlich, die islamische Praxis in den Alltag zu integrieren», so die Einschätzung des SRF-Grossbritannien-Korrespondenten Martin Alioth. Dass die erklärte Provokation des Senders so gut wirke, weise auf einen Zustand hin, der bekannt sei: Der Islam werde nicht als etwas Alltägliches wahrgenommen im Land. (+ Audio) » | dpa / rkuon | Dienstag, 09. Juli 2013

Muslime feiern Ende des Ramadan
1,3 Milliarden Muslime auf der ganzen Welt feiern das Ende des Ramadan. Das dreitägige «Eid al-Fitr» gilt nach dem Opferfest als wichtigstes muslimisches Fest. Auch in der Schweiz zelebrieren tausende Muslime das Ereignis.

Obama Celebrates Ramadan, Honors Muslims
ON ISLAM: CAIRO – Hosting an iftar to mark the holy fasting month of Ramadan, US President Barack Obama has used the occasion to honor American Muslims and their contributions to their country.

“Like so many faiths, Islam has always been part of our American family, and Muslim Americans have long contributed to the strength and character of our country, in all walks of life,” Obama told members of the diplomatic corps and prominent Muslim figures at a Ramadan iftar the White House on Wednesday, August 10, The Time reported.

“This has been especially true over the past 10 years.”

Obama said many Muslims lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks by Al-Qaeda movement.
"They were taken from us much too soon,” Obama said.

“And today, they live on in the love of their families and a nation that will never forget.”
Obama said many Muslims raced to offer help to those injured in the attacks.

“Muslim Americans were first responders…the EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) who evacuated so many to safety; the nurse who tended to so many victims; the naval officer at the Pentagon who rushed into the flames and pulled the injured to safety.

“On this 10th anniversary, we honor these men and women for what they are — American heroes.”
Obama has hosted an Iftar each year since he assumed office in 2009. » | Thursday, August 11, 2011

Ramadan Kicks Off Amid Rise in Islamophobia

RUSSIA TODAY: Ramadan kicks off amid rise in Islamophobia: It is just another day of the week for most us, but for Muslims worldwide, it’s the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. >>> | Published Thursday, August 12, 2010; Edited Friday, August 13, 2010

Observing Ramadan from Inside a Food Cart
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Muslim Street Food Vendors Observe Ramadan Fast As the Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins, the daily fast will be a special challenge to street food vendors, who spend their days selling lamb and chicken.

Obama Speaks Before Ramadan Celebration Dinner (2009)


HT: Always On Watch >>>

Statement by the President on the Occasion of Ramadan
THE WHITE HOUSE: On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I want to extend our best wishes to Muslims in America and around the world. Ramadan Kareem.

Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world reflect upon the wisdom and guidance that comes with faith, and the responsibility that human beings have to one another, and to God. This is a time when families gather, friends host iftars, and meals are shared. But Ramadan is also a time of intense devotion and reflection – a time when Muslims fast during the day and pray during the night; when Muslims provide support to others to advance opportunity and prosperity for people everywhere. For all of us must remember that the world we want to build – and the changes that we want to make – must begin in our own hearts, and our own communities.

These rituals remind us of the principles that we hold in common, and Islam’s role in advancing justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings. Ramadan is a celebration of a faith known for great diversity and racial equality. And here in the United States, Ramadan is a reminder that Islam has always been part of America and that American Muslims have made extraordinary contributions to our country. And today, I want to extend my best wishes to the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world – and your families and friends – as you welcome the beginning of Ramadan.

I look forward to hosting an Iftar dinner celebrating Ramadan here at the White House later this week, and wish you a blessed month.

May God’s peace be upon you. [Source: The White House] Wednesday, August 11, 2010

This Ramadan message from Barack Hussein Obama is enough to make any decent Westerner want to vomit! The sooner that Americans decide to rid themselves of this president, the better it will be for America and for the free world. This man is a danger to its very existence. – © Mark

Obama's Ramadan Message 2009


We shall await Obama’s message for 2010. I dread to think of the nonsense, the snivelling drivel, he will come out with! – © Mark

Ramadan Around the World in Pictures
Photograph: Google Images
THE TELEGRAPH: Over a billion Muslims around the world began observing the holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday. The start of Ramadan changes every year, based on the sighting of the new moon at the start of the lunar month. The calculation can be a show of regional clout, with senior clerics across the conflicted Mideast and the two main sects of Islam often disagreeing. This year, most Sunni Muslims began fasting on Wednesday, while Shiite Muslims in Iran, Iraq and Oman are to begin observances on Thursday

To the gallery >>>

Ramadan Starts for Sunni Muslims
THE TELEGRAPH: Muslims began the fasting month of Ramadan on Wednesday during an especially gruelling time of the year, with sweltering heat and extremely long daylight hours across the Middle East.

Muslims and Muslimatoon at prayer. Photographs: The Telegraph
Religious authorities in Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, announced the siting of the crescent moon on Tuesday evening, fixing the start of the ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar on the following day.

Officials in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Syria, Libya, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Algeria and Tunisia also announced a Wednesday start to the month.

The same was true for Sunni Muslims in Iraq, but the larger Shia community will not begin Ramadan until Thursday, as is the case with Oman.

Muslims observe Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn until sunset.

Pregnant and menstruating women, the sick, travellers and prepubescent children are exempt from the fast, which is one of the five pillars of Islam. >>> | Wednesday, August 13, 2010

America’s First Muslim President: “Islam As We Know Is Part Of America” – B. Hussein Obama At Ramadan Dinner (2009)


Does anyone else find B. Hussein Obama’s way of speaking irritating? I certainly do. The sharp ‘s’s’, the lecturing tone, the pointed finger, the staccato voice, the dogmatism, the self-satisfaction. It’s all a turn off! I have the desire to switch off each and every time he starts lecturing us. – © Mark

Bloody Dhimmitude! The Stupid, Weak, Fawning Brits!
MAIL ON SUNDAY: Schools are being urged to rearrange tests, cancel swimming lessons and stop sex education to avoid offending Muslims during Ramadan.

Head teachers in Stoke-on-Trent have been issued with the guidance for treatment of Muslim pupils who may still be fasting when the new term starts in September.

But critics dismissed the advice as ‘over-zealous’ bureaucracy and said all pupils would be forced to miss out on activities as a result.

During Ramadan, all Muslims who have reached puberty avoid eating or drinking between sunrise and sunset to encourage discipline and self-restraint.

To help them with this, Stoke council advises schools not to schedule exams or hold parents’ meetings and social events after school.

They should also avoid swimming lessons because some parents and pupils consider the risk of swallowing water too great.

It even advises schools to cancel sex education because Muslims are expected to avoid sexual thoughts while fasting.

Although the guidance was specifically drawn up to help Muslims, it will affect every pupil in the 89 schools in the Potteries. Council forces schools to rearrange exams and cancel lessons to avoid offending Muslims during Ramadan >>> Claire Ellicott | Sunday, July 11, 2010