Ramadan Celebrations 1

Ramadan is a month of prayer and festival too. The mode of celebration in the Islamic states and those with Muslim majority areas are well known to us. Now let's check how Muslims of two countries celebrate Ramadan where Islam and Muslims are in minority.
Ramadan in Germany
Together with believers in Muslim countries throughout the world, Muslims living in Germany have entered the month of Ramadan. Ramadan in Germany takes place in a totally different atmosphere than in countries with a Muslim majority. Public and social life continues with the same speed and the running of the day does not know any interruptions, like for the Iftar. A difference also lies in the length of the day in Germany, which is a challenge in the summer, but is quite short in the winter period. This year the sun rises roughly at 8 am and sets at 4 pm.
Only those of the estimated 3.5 Million Muslims living in Germany, who live in one of the Islamic quarters of Berlin or the Ruhr area with a high percentage of Muslims living there might be reminded of the empty streets of Cairo or Istanbul during Iftar. Ali Ozkan, a Muslim from Berlin, was quoted by the Islamic Newspaper saying that it was a sign of this blessed month that the social life of Muslims becomes more noticeable than during the rest of the year. That food is offered everywhere and people eating and drinking can be seen during the day also changes the atmosphere but is not a major obstacle. Non-practicing Muslims prefer Ramadan in Western countries arguing that as Muslims there live in a minority the decision whether or not to fast becomes personal without any social pressure from others.
Shift-working Muslims have to use their pauses to break the fasting. Arrangements probably can be made especially as large companies who employ large numbers of Muslims handle these issues with pragmatism. But they preferred to spend the Iftar at home with their families and friends in a nicer atmosphere.
Those who are settled abroad without their families gather in their national communities to celebrate. Open-minded Germans participate in these gatherings and seek to understand the beliefs of Muslims. Some also join the fasting for a couple of days to get to know the feeling of it. In fact, Hasan Ozdogan, the head of the Islamic council in Germany said in a message that many communities would also invite their non-Muslim neighbors for the Iftar.
Ramadan in China
Ramadan is traditionally a period of fraternity, solidarity and Islamic charity.
Li Xan is a Chinese student who studies engineering at the Universidad Del Desarrollo in Chile. He has been living with his father in Chile for 3 years now. However, he remembers how his family used to celebrate Ramadan in China. "During Ramadan, my father would get up at 4 o'clock in the morning, and an hour later he'd arrive at the Mosque of Niujie, in the center of Beijing, just in time for the dawn prayer."
For Muslims in China, Ramadan is traditionally a period of fraternity, solidarity and Islamic charity.
"Every day in Ramadan, we attended all the five prayers at the mosque. My father's friends understood our commitment, and when he was occupied with a lot of work they would help him to do it so that he could be punctual for prayers," Li explained.
Li is among more than 20 million Chinese Muslims that live by Ramadan's obligations, continuing strictly the Islamic doctrines, praying five times a day in mosques and abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk.
According to the Islamic Association of China, Chinese Muslims have convenient access to prayer services as there are more than 34,000 mosques throughout the country.
"Since the foundation of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949, the rights and religious liberty of the Muslims have been protected by the constitution and the law," he states.
The Niujie Mosque, built in 996, and that of Dongsi, 500 years old, are the two most famous mosques in the capital. The Niujie Mosque is an important center for Islamic Studies and operates a Qur'an school. During the last five decades years, the government has assigned special funds for the repair of these buildings because of their historical importance.
Beijing has over 900 Muslim restaurants and food stores. Some supermarkets sell food especially for followers of Islam. "Thanks to the social stability and the fast economic growth of the country, Chinese Muslims enjoy a peaceful Ramadan. Many Muslims share traditional food with their neighbors, and distribute gifts to poorer Muslims," noted Hang Xian a 61-year-old Chinese Muslim trader.
Ramadan in Spain
In Spain an Agreement of Cooperation between the Spanish State and the Islamic Commission of Spain was established in 1992 and approved as Law 26/1992. The law affirms in article 12.1 that: "Members of the Islamic Communities belonging to the Islamic Commission of Spain who desire, will be able to request the interruption of their work on Friday of each week, from 1 P.M. to 4.20 P.M., as well as finishing work one hour before sunset, during the month of Ramadan".
The celebration of Ramadan acquires a special importance in all Spanish cities — like Madrid, Barcelona and Catalonia — where numerous Muslim communities reside. Muslims get together to break their fast and they organize social meetings in the mosques. Amin Villoch, a Spanish Muslim, illustrates this: "The first day of Ramadan more than 9,000 Muslims gather at the mosques in Madrid to celebrate the breaking of the fast. Ramadan is an important factor in reuniting the community. The Islamic Center of Madrid always prepares many activities during this month for them."
After the Maghrib prayers, the mosque becomes a place of festivity. Everyone eats harrisa (an oriental sweet) and dates; Ramadan treats which no Muslim house lacks. "Women spend all day preparing typical food to offer to their relatives and friends whom they meet at the mosque," explains Amira Masaad. "The first day of Ramadan is a special day. Although, it's difficult being far away from my family, the mosque organizes events and activities to bring the Muslim community in Spain together."
Other activities that Spanish mosques organize during Ramadan include Arabic classes, Islamic culture classes and Qur'an and Hadith discussions.