To the Editor:

It’s that time of year again! The blessed month of Ramadan has finally arrived. I’m sure many of my peers still aren’t certain as to why Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan.

Fasting is another form of worship found universally in the world religions. However, I will shed light on the Muslim aspects with the hope that some questions are answered. During the day, apart from restraining from food and water, all Muslims are particularly exhorted to refrain from vain talk, quarrels and fights, or any such behavior that is hurtful and impious.

The institution of fasting is extremely important because it cultivates the believer in almost every area of his spiritual life. Among other things, he or she learns through personal experience about what hunger, poverty, loneliness and discomforts mean to the less fortunate sectors of society. Abstention from even such practices during the month of Ramadan plays a constructive role in refining the human character.

Aneela Wadan

Fairfax