Having "Me" Time

Happy Hari Raya Day!! :) Today is a special day in the islam world and I have only recently learnt what it means.  Every year on my calendar, I would see that all the islam countries would have this day off a national holiday but I never understood its significance until my previous trip to Malaysia.  Today is the end of Ramadan and it is a big celebration. From my understanding, it is a bit like Christmas.  Family members gather together for the Friday prayer.  There is a special prayer for the end of Ramadan and all those who attend, dress up in their best traditional clothes.  It's a time for celebration. Shops are filled with shoppers buying gifts and special delicacies are cooked up for the celebration.  Family members from around the country unite together.  Prisoners are released from jail as acts of good faith.  It is a day of celebration and good deeds. On my visit there, my friend bought me these wonderfully delicious traditional c...

We know muslims fast, but do we know why?  Something new I learnt about "Ramadan," when muslims around the world fast for a month each year, is that it is actually a "festive" season for muslims!   Eventhough I have muslim friends and have witnessed them fasting through school, I just always recognized it as a month when they would be not be eating during the day.  It didn't sound very festive to me.   I knew it was according to the lunar calendar, but that was about the extent of my knowledge.   Little did I know it was "festive" until I found myself in the minority and surrounded by a different world. Ramadan, my friend taught me was a time of purification.  Fasting is a time when they ask for forgiveness for past sins, and in turn do good deeds and restrain themselves from dawn till dusk.   It's a time of self-contemplation when one is to forgo worldy activities and get intouch with God.   Ramadan is al...