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Article: Ramadan: A holy month of fasting for Muslims.(Opinion & Editorial)
- Article from:
- Manila Bulletin
- Article date:
- October 15, 2004
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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FILIPINO Muslims are now observing Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is the annual month of fasting and prayer. Fasting is done from dawn to sunset. The fast is compulsory for every Muslim adult. The Arabic word sawm (plural: siyam) is the term of fasting; it literally means to refrain. Those who are traveling or ill are exempted from this fast, as are the very young and the elderly who cannot keep sawm. Those who cannot keep the fast, because of illness or travel, are expected to make for the missed fasting days if they are able to do so later.
Sawm means refraining from food, drinks, and sexual activity from dawn to sunset. In the Quran, ...