It gets particularly difficult during the longer, warmer summer days. The Islamic Calendar as it is based on lunar movements is 10 days shorter than the Western Calendar we are all accustomed to, hence Ramadan and the other 12 Islamic months move back 10 days every year. So for example, since Ramadan began on September 2nd this year, next year it would be starting around August 22nd based on the sighting of the moon. That particular clause, that the moon needs to be sighted, to officially announce the start of the month actually causes quite some disorganization. For example, Ramadan began on three different days in different parts of Pakistan. The NWFP government apparently saw it earlier than the Punjab government, and hence they began Ramadan on different days. Pretty bizarre and disorganized if you ask me. Not the way Islam teaches us to be united.
The main message of the month is to begin to understand all the different things we are blessed with. We begin to understand what it means to be hungry and not be able to do anything about it. Something many people the world over have to live with during thier lives. Since it is a mandatory requirement for all healthy muslims (which means that children, old people, pregnant women etc are exempt) to fast the whole month which is to raise awareness among the rich of the problem of hunger faced by people who are not so well off. Ramadan also teaches you self restraint and control. You learn to withhold food, water and sex which also teaches you the value of these things, as they say you only value what you have, when you lose it.
So thats a bit about Ramadan, on this first day of Ramadan where im feeling the fast, i.e. im quite hungry but i have to control myself, but there is only half an hour left for sunset so not much of a wait left. So one down, 28 odd to go. :D
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