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Ramadan in Japan
(The Land of the Shining Sun)
A dialogue with the head of the
Islamic center in Japan
Muslims
of Japan share their brothers all over the Muslim world the
happiness of receiving Ramadan. We have conducted a dialogue with
the head of the Islamic center in Japan who spent about 25 years in
the field of Islamic Da`wah (Call to Allah) concerning receiving
Ramadan in Japan and how Muslims of Japan lead their life during
this honorable month.
He
stated that Muslims in Japan prepare themselves for receiving
Ramadan long time before its coming. A permanent committee called
“the Committee of Ramadan and the two Feasts” has been formed
in the Islamic center for discussing preparation for Ramadan. The
committee starts its work with sighting the new moon. Mostly, it is
too overcast to be seen. In such case, we follow Malaysia, the
nearest Islamic country to us. Then, when it’s confirmed that the
new moon has been sighted, the center declares that to the public.
The center takes on its shoulder answering questions of Japanese
Muslims concerning the new moon, times of Prayers, Fasting, etc.
On
this occasion, we always publish a calendar showing times of
prayers and the approximate times for refraining from eating and
drinking at dawn and breaking fast at sunset during Ramadan. The
center distributes this calendar to mosques, and various Islamic
gatherings and meetings all over Japan. Another calendars are
distributed to restaurants that sell Halal (lawful) food.
Obviously, the center as well as all the other Islamic gatherings
makes the necessary preparations for receiving this blessed month
properly. Working for Islam is activated during this month which is
the best of months and one of the distinctive features of the
Muslim Ummah.
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