Ramadan Is Beginning

I remember reading King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry and being fascinated by the stable boy who worried about the well being of his favorite mare, who was about to foal, during Ramadan. The boy was afraid she would suffer because the Sultan ruled that she and all the other horses were required to fast along with the people.

Photo: SXC

The real Ramadan is about to begin this week. Depending on where people live, it starts either today or tomorrow. According to the Houston Chronicle, the month long fast is meant as a time for people to examine themselves and to be honest and kind to others.

I know what you’re thinking. A month? There is no way people can not eat for a month and be healthy! Actually, they do get to eat, but there is a really long time between meals. They fast from sunrise to sunset.

While Henry’s character and his beloved horses had to fast along with everyone else, the article in the Chronicle mentions that most people who participate in Ramadan today don’t expect young children or pets to fast.