Muslims concentrate on faith

As we prepare for Ramadan, American Muslims are faced with two adversities: the devastating memories of the Sept. 11 attack on our country and the recent statements of Osama bin Laden. Our hearts are pained and our minds are hampered by this. The appeals of Osama are contrary to the true tenets of Islam and serves as a callous reminder of extremism.

Ramadan is a special time of the year. Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on concerns of their daily routines and focus on fasting, prayer and charity. While fasting, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and conjugal relations during the daylight hours. During Ramadan, Muslims will frequent Islamic centers to break the fast and take part in extra prayers.

The prophetMuhammad was a charitable person, but he was most generous during the month of Ramadan. In the Quran we are told, "O you who believe, Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint."

During this special month, Muslims take time to pray for their families, friends, those less fortunate, those who are suffering and all of humanity. One of the main benefits of Ramadan is an increased compassion for those in need of the necessities of life, a sense of self-purification and reflection and a renewed focus on spirituality. Muslims also appreciate the feeling of togetherness shared by family and friends throughout the month. Perhaps the greatest practical benefit is the yearly lesson in self-restraint and discipline that can carry forward to other aspects of a Muslim's life, such as work and education.

Some mosques will open their facility to the entire community, offering people of other faiths an introduction to Islamic culture. The free event features display of Islamic art, books and samples of food from around the Muslim world and is designed to help people of all faiths gain a better understanding of the positive role Islam plays in American society. I encourage everyone to join us in this auspicious occasion.

This year, a prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group and two organizations representing American Muslim physicians kick off Ramadan with an anti-smoking initiative by encouraging American Muslims to use the discipline acquired during the upcoming Ramadan fast to quit smoking. I ask my fellow Americans to join this initiative.

As American Muslims, we pray and we ask you to pray for us to overcome the adversities facing us during this blessed month of Ramadan; we would be grateful and indebted to you. Let us stand shoulder to shoulder as Americans to repel the evils in the world and work together for peace, harmony and prosperity. Happy Rosh Hashanah to my Jewish friends.

Altaf Ali is executive director of Council on American-Islamic Relations.