Ramadan

Hi Everyone!

Picture of Dj smiling during his daily postingWell, I am happy to tell you that the flu has left our house. My Mama, sisters and I are over the flu and feeling a lot better. It was a hard few days and I hope that I don’t get the flu anymore.

This weekend, I was watching television and I saw that today there was a special day called Ramadan. I didn’t know what Ramadan was so I ask Mama what it is. Mama said that the best way for me to learn what it is all about was to look it up on the Internet. So Mama and I did some study on the Internet.

Ramadan is a special period of time (one month) that begins each year at a different time. This is because the religion of Islam uses a different calendar than us. This month is a period of time where Muslims do not eat, drink or smoke during daylight hours. They are required by their religion to be extra good to people and do things to help poor people. After the sun goes down is the time that they can eat and drink.

This special time is important to Muslims as it is a time each year to re-learn what it is to sacrifice and to know what it is like for poor people who don’t have food to eat. They believe that it brings them closer to God.

Muslims visit the Mosque every day during Ramadan, to pray together and study the Quran (Islamic Holy Book). As well as the five daily prayers that are said throughout the year, a special prayer called the Taraweeh or ‘Night Prayer’ is said during Ramadan. When the sun goes down at the end of the day the fast is broken with a meal called the iftar. After dinner, its customary to go out visiting friends and family who live nearby.

On the night of the 27th day of Ramadam, Muslims celebrate Laylat-al-Qadr or ‘Night of Power’. It is said that the Quran was revealed to Mohammed on this night , and God determines the world’s course for the coming year. Ramadan ends with a three day festival called Id-al-Fitr. It’s a time for friends and family to gather together in prayer, exchange gifts and indulge in large meals.

Mama said that almost 5% of the population of the Philippines is Muslim. That is almost 4 million people. Mama said that it is important to respect all religions of the world. She said that the common connection is a faith in a higher Being than us. She said Muslim people have a very strong belief in God and she said that is good.

I ask her about all the talk on the television that says Muslims are bad and they kill innocent people all around the world. Mama said that there is a truth to that but it is not all Muslims but only a small percent that believe in a different form of their religion. I hope that those bad people will stop what they are doing so we can all live in peace.

Well, I hope that all my Muslim friends will have a “Happy Ramadan.”

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Hi Everyone!

DJ smiling during his daily postingTomorrow is Sunday and it is our day to take time to spend with God. Mama and Dada says that it doesn’t matter what your religion or faith is; it is important to practice it. Spending time with God in prayer is good because it reminds us who we are and where we come from and who our Father is.

Later in the day, our family will be celebrating my cousin’s birthday. Many family members will be here so there will be a lot of fun and plenty to eat.

I hope that you will have a wonderful Sunday with your family. I am including the cartoon of our Sunday church visit as so many people have said that they like it.

Bye for now!

picture of Dj attending church services with his parents. Later Dj spends some special time with his other parents

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Hi Everyone!

One of the first things that Mama and Dada taught me to do was how to say my bedtime prayers. Praying is a very important part of our family life. It doesn’t matter what religion you follow; prayers are always a big part.

Mama and Dada taught me that it is okay to pray for things for yourself but it must be serious and important. I tried to tell Mama and Dada that a new Play Station 3 is serious and very important to me…but they think differently!

DJ saying his bedtime prayers and asking for a playstation 3

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