Objectives:

In this lesson, students will be able to:

• Recognize the terms and vocabulary connected to the holy month.

• Reflect on the meaning of fasting

• list advices to be followed during Ramadan

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, preceded by the month of Sha’aban and succeeded by the month of Shawwal. Ramadan is the Holy Month for Muslims, when those twelve years old and above observe a dawn to dusk complete fast. They do not take any liquids (not even any water), no food, abstain from smoking, marital relations, and gossiping or saying anything malicious against another person.

When is Ramadan?

The Muslim calendar is a Lunar Calendar, which means that the month follows the cycles of the moon. This also means that by comparison to the western calendar, the month of Ramadan will be approximately 11 days earlier in the year compared to the previous year. Ramadan will start on the 11th of August 2010, Wednesday and will continue until the 9th of September. In North America, Ramadan will start one day later, that is the 12th of August.

While the above dates are almost certainly going to be accurate, Islam traditionally requires that the new moon be sighted by a person appointed by the Islamic authorities in the country where you’re located.

سيتم توزيع ورقة العمل في الصفحة التالية. كل طالب يحصل على عجل يظهر اوجه القمر المختلفة.

Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?

The first reason of course, is that fasting is a requirement of one of the Five Pillars of Islam. What is important, however, is to appreciate the reasons behind the fasting, what those reasons signify and what this means to fasting Muslims.

It is most important to a Muslim to show intent in the fast. It is required that they recite short prayer of intent either before they sleep or just before Suhoor, the pre-fast meal.

The Arabic word for fasting means to ‘refrain’, to discipline yourself to avoid doing certain things which would be quite normal during the other twelve months of the year. It is also meant to teach Muslims to appreciate how much better off they are than millions of other fellow Muslims. So by refraining from drinking (even water) and food, for the long daylight hours, they should be reminded of those much less fortunate, for whom severe shortage of water and food is a way of life, not something merely done one month of the year. By reminding themselves of this fact, it is hoped that not only will they be more sensitive to those less fortunate, but to try to do something practical to help them.

What happens every day when Muslims break their fast?

As daylight begins to fade, Muslims wait the Muezzin’s call to perform the Maghrib prayers. Once the call is heard, they may break fast (called Iftaar in Arabic). (You can see here too the origin of the word “breakfast”, which literally meant to break the fast during the night, after having eaten the last meal the day before).

It is common for most families to have their evening meal at home straight after breaking fast, and while the meal should be in keeping with the meanings of Ramadan (in other words not a feast).

How is the end of Ramadan celebrated around the world?

Muslims will start their end of Ramadan celebrations by going to the mosque for special congregational prayers which give thanks to God for His blessings during the Holy month of Ramadan, now ended. Both men and women may go to the mosque at this time, but the men will say their prayers separately from the women.

Later, they return home (or go to the homes of family and friends) to continue their celebration, which in Arabic is called Eid Al Fitr.

Dear pupils,

While watching the video please do the following task:

Number the following words in the order they appear in the song.

رقموا التعابير والكلمات الاتية وفقا لظهورها في الاغنية

a. Ramadan is the month of the Quran. _____

b. Ramadan is the month of Mercy. ______

c. Ramadan is the month of giving and helping those in need. _____

d. Ramadan is the month of fasting. ____

e. Ramadan is the month of patience. ____

f. Ramadan is the month of sacrifice. ____

g. The month in which it (Quran) first came down. ____

h. Ramadan is the month of praying. ___

Watch the video again. Zaki gives 12 advices for behaving during Ramadan. Choose 3 advices that you have not been following up to now and you will start following from now and on.

شاهد الفديو مجددا, زاكي يعطي 12 نصيحة للعمل بها خلال رمضان. اختر ثلاث نصائح يعطيها زاكي وانت لم تتبعها وتعمل وفقا لها حتى الان,ولكن بعد مشاهدة هذا الفيديو

ستحاول ان تتبعها خلال شهر رمضان القادم بأذن الله تعالى