GIVING UP YOUR ISHMAEL
GIVING UP YOUR ISHMAEL
Dineo Nomayeza Khambule
The month of Ramadhan is always highly anticipated by Muslims worldwide and those who revere the spirit of discipline.
Every year, Muslims across the world stand united in the opportunity for a deeper level of consciousness, intensified
commitment, mindfulness, prayer and cleansing. For the Muslim, Ramadhan allows us to slow down with all the worldly
desires, starve our distractions and focus on the intention behind why we were created. It brings about a sense of
gratitude in us when we realize how privileged we are to have access to our physical comforts in the palm of our hands
and how easily accessible these comforts are for most.
It causes us to unfurl our clenched hands from receiving and consuming, to giving to those who may not have the
necessities to sustain themselves during the holy month. While fasting may entail a refraining from food, giving up our
luxuries and the things that we love (even temporarily), it brings about a sense of relief from the burden each sacrifice
may bring.
Fasting is a practice participated by people of many different religious denominations, health circles and sub cultures.
One that was a particular point of interest during this period was a practice called Lent fasting during Lenten season,
the commemoration and celebration of Christ’s final weeks on earth. For Catholics, Lent fasting is an act of worship,
abstaining from certain foods and things that we love. It comprises of an estrangement from worldly distractions and
exercising self-control from that which we do, speak and act upon. Lent fasting is observed for 40 days in preparation
before Easter as a refocus and recalibration on closeness to God and devoting their spare time to prayer and a deeper
spiritual consciousness.
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