Ramadan begins today, the holy month of Islam, a period of great significance for Muslims all over the world which represents an extraordinary opportunity to remember, through fasting, the moment in which God revealed the Holy Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. The first reason for fasting is commemorative and festive at the same time, and the last days of Ramadan are marked by the fervor of zakat al-fitr, the ritual almsgiving before the conclusion of the fast with Id-al-Fitr, the community celebration of the breaking of the fast. At the Islamic Cultural Center of Mangialupi, the community is preparing to experience this special time under the guidance of President Mohamed Refaat and Imam Mohamed Sadeq. The profound meaning of Ramadan is told by the daughter of Imam Iman Sadeq, who is particularly active in the social sphere. Ramadan is often reduced, in public debate, to just abstinence from food and water from dawn to dusk, but for the Mangialupi community, fasting is only the visible part of a much broader journey. “It’s not just not eating, explains Iman, it’s presence, discipline of the heart and control of the tongue. We try to abstain from anger, judgement, violence, useless words and selfishness. It’s a month of spiritual intimacy, made up of awakenings before dawn, prayers in silence, supplications and work on oneself, which aims to make the person more human. At sunset, the tables are filled with families who get together, and those who have more possibilities also cook for those who have less. Mandatory donations for the poor and the zakat al-fitr collected in the last days serve to ensure that no one is left out of the final celebration.” The Messina Islamic center organizes moments of sharing and assistance, involving volunteers and the local community. Sadeq underlined that fasting is not an imposed suffering: children, the sick, the elderly and pregnant women are not required to respect it and those who cannot do so can make up for the days at a later time or make a gesture of charity. “Ramadan is a conscious choice, not a punishment,” he reiterates. At the same time, the faithful continue to study, work, love and carry out their daily responsibilities: fasting thus becomes an exercise in resilience, not a weakening factor. The center also works to dispel false narratives about Islam: “Islam is not terrorism, Ramadan is not fanaticism, faith is not violence, says the young woman; fear arises from ignorance; learning about religion and dialogue creates bridges and promotes coexistence and mutual respect. Ramadan is first and foremost a time of returning to God and of interior work. Public fasting, abstinence from food and drink between dawn and dusk, serves to cultivate patience, self-control, empathy towards those who suffer and attention to language. True fasting concerns the heart and the tongue: learning not to respond with anger, not to judge, to extinguish vanity and selfishness.” With the start of Ramadan, the Messina Islamic Cultural Center invites citizens to respectfully participate in public events and mutual dialogue. In a month built on presence, discipline of the heart and sharing, the Muslim community of Mangialupi offers an example of how faith and solidarity can strengthen the local social fabric.
John
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