As
in every Islamic country, in every Islamic community, and every Islamic
family, Ramadan is something very special in Munich, too. The best place
in the capital of Bavaria to grasp the spirit and the beauty of Allah's
blessed month might be the Islamic Center in Freimann, which is about 20
car minutes away from the center.
The
brothers and sisters in the mosque create a special Ramadan program
every year that includes iftar (meals to break the fast) that are
sponsored by single brothers or sisters, Qur'an recitation competitions
for children and adults, and last but not least the beloved and famous
Ramadan quiz during the small break in the Tarawih Prayer after the
imam's speech.
Who
lies besides our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in
Madinah? Who were the first Muslims? When did the Battle of Badr take
place?
The
winner of the quiz gets either a pack of fresh dates or a copy of the
Qur'an, depending on the level of the question and the sheikh's mood.
Ramadan quiz is a good idea to distribute in other mosques worldwide!
During
the 30 days of Ramadan, the Tarawih Prayers play an important role in
the center. Every year the mosque's headquarter brings a new imam from
the Muslim world, most often from Egypt, to recite the Qur’an by heart
in Prayer.
Due
to the long and difficult time at work it is, I must confess, not always
easy for a Muslim living in a Western country such as Germany to fast
and attend the Prayers and Qur'an recitations as well.
Even
during Ramadan, the clock doesn't stand still, and everyone around you
expects the same performance and power of you—be it in the job, be it
in school, or be it in the family.
The
schools in Germany, nevertheless, are nothing but Muslim-friendly. The
kids in the elementary schools and the students in the high schools get
an exemption from the sport lessons and are free to attend the `Eid
Prayer.
Some
friendly teachers help the students, as well, by not questioning them
during the 30 strenuous days of fasting.
The
iftar might not be similar to the iftar in an Islamic
country. Here in Munich, there are a lot of Germans who embraced Islam
but are still living in a family with non-Muslims.
My
mother, for instance, is a non-Muslim but is (al-hamdu lillah)
always there for iftar, cooking and baking, sweating and working
to feed three hungry Muslim men—my father, my brother, and me.
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The
`Eid bears in Munich |
Friends
and brothers in the mosque told me similar stories and that they are
facing the same situation at home.
The
day of `Eid, we all meet in the Islamic Center again to celebrate a big
and wonderful “party” every year.
After
the imam delivers the little khutbah, everybody cheers and loses
himself in endless hugging and greeting. Brothers hugging brothers,
sisters hugging sisters, children hugging the bear. Hugging what? The
bear?
Yes,
the bear! This is something very special to our center on the day of
`Eid. Only for the kids, the center's headquarters organize a bear suit
and a poor brother that has to delight the children—all `Eid morning.
You
see, Ramadan is very special in Munich and all that we can do now is to
greet you heartily and wish you all a wonderful and blessed month.
From Kareem
Benjamin
