L a LAS, to Muslims fast and pray for moral and spiritual strength Layne Christensen News Reporter layne@nsnews.com MUSLIMS across the North Shore and around the world are observing the sacred month of Ramadhan. On I 31, the Islamic faith began the 30- day fase that tor more than a millennium has been an annual observance oof practising Muslims the world ove Fasting is ordained by Allah the Creator in the Qur'an, the book of Islam. Muslinis believe it to be the intailible word « af as dictated to the prophet Mohammed through the medium of the Angel Gabriel 1400 vears azo. For the Ramadhan, = Muslims are required! to fast d n order to gain) moral and. spiritual strength. For those who are fit (preg- nant women, the elderly and the sick are excepted), the fast is not a choice. [tis compulso- ry, said Sayvedmohsen Fatemi, an author, teacher of philoso- phy and psychological counsel - lor. Fatemi is also a Shie, or Shiite, } two main branches of ortho- dov Islam. Sunni is the other. No tood or drink is to be consumed from stinrise to sun- set during the Ramadhan. But the spiritual cleansing does not stop there. Muslims must avoid “back- biting ... dealing with carnal doing anything that or frivolous or pas- sionate,” said Fatemi. Muslims must also observe prayer, or Namaz, five times daily. Guishan Ismail finds strength ja Ramadhan. Raised an Ismaili in Ugand the North Vaneou k converted to the Islamic faith ‘ago. Ismail isa Sunni m. “Spirituality comes by vator’s| com: “Ramadhan fa Creator. Othe untary fasting — is for cur It is sunset, approximatel 4:36 pam. on Thursday, Jan. 8, followers of duration oof Muslim. Shiah is ong of 300 dave of and Ixmadbisia the burs, roan , modest apartment, taped recitation of the Quran plays on the hit. Ismiaul wears the unitorm of a Musiim woman — the fijal, or head seart, and jaladiblibin, a Jong dress thar covers the wearer from neck to ankle. She says a special prayer in Arabic betore breaking the day's fast with a sip of water and a couple of dricd dates. Fresh fruit and milk with honey tollows. “Bismillah iit Ralonani Raheem (in the name of God},” she murmurs, betore moving to the praver matin the ee ton of Kaaba, the first house of wor- ship, in| Mecca, Saudi Arabia, birthplace oof | Mohammed. Sunding, bowing, kneeling, then prostrating, she pravs to Afterward she will enjov a light supper of th foods” — potatoes, salad, rice — and chicken. After rising carly the next morning she will have a light Ktast before dawn then begin the fast again. Instead of feeling fatigued, she is energized, she said. “Spiritualiy, vou are lifted as well as mentally and physically. T can work like Tam 25." she said. Faremi says Ramadhan teaches people how to manage one’s fife exercise of self management. ft is a month of exercise of self? purification,” he said. For Golnay Ali, Ramedhan isa time to practice “au the things that vou are supposed to do as a good human.” That is how the USorth Vancouver woman explained it to her 14-vear-old son, who has yer to choose his faith, when asked one day last week why she would not he joining him tor breakfast. In addition to the mst, there are other commandments to observe, she told him. Front dawn to dusk. “vou can’t have sex, veau can’t lie, vou can’t say bad things about anvbod After the Ramadhan : » at. which to. celebrate and “offer felicitations that they have gone through one “Hos a month of = NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge GULSHAN Ismail and other Muslims observing Ramadhan say prayer, or Namaz, five times daily and fast from dawn to dusk to gain moral and spiritual strength. month of perfection and puriti- cation,” said Fatemi. At the end of Ramadhan, “people forget about their bad habit” said fsmail “All the good things become vour habit. You are satistied (because) vou know vou've ccomplished something so And that is to the benefit of the community, said Afi. “(Ramadhan) is about how helpful vou can be to your peo- ple, how vou can be a good persc mite your SOE We need to. mot: e mout! . INVENTOR . CLEAROUT SALE See Stay South Park Royal “925-9693 .. As a retailer of quality merchancise, it is our policy to ensure that everything we sell meets our high standards. However, we have been alerted inis VOTIVE CANDLE offered as our bonus during Christmas '97 could pose a potential fire hazard, if used incorrectly. The following instructicns show what's correct. TOP is smooth & rounded. Fosition votive candle so that wax & wick are level with the top of the plastic hoider. h Candle BASE of cotouredt plastic holder 1s easily identitied by the distinct immed edge. Please erisure the If you are still unsure of how to safely use this votive candle, we ask that you We feel it is our obligation to alert our customers of any potential hazards as soon as we ai apotogize for any problems you may have experienced. EATON’S Entrance in rear lane FACTORY FUTON Mon.- Sat. 1]-6om Sunday 12- som_Jl ~- Nerth Shore News - & Teen robbed NORTH heuer ROMP me ung the reportota robbery ar Katte pomit alleged te bave avsurred Des 27 at Park AotY year off sant he Was amps ata bus stop at 12315 pam. on the aerth sie at Mount Seymour Parkway when he was approached by aman with a knite who demanded mon The teen says he hand- ed over $500. The thiet is deserthec as being Caucasian, in his carly 205, slim, with dark eves and a pocked face. He wore a black cap. a leather jacket, jeans and white runners. FIREPLACES. BY RECENCY » HUNTER + ENVIROGAS “Taking care of you inside and out™ For assistance in choosing your fireplace or barbecue call ra omg 9 7 compan shoo ae Sele poe Safa bed frame ' Frapte foams care futue. scutch-qerced futoa cover. pidours 386 pidow cvers Nhe geanhihes fast 267 E Ist. ia 964-4504 HTRAPIDLUBE =: DRIVE-THRU Ol. CHANGE PROFESSIONALS tig No appointment necessary ] Most cars & pick ups, plus taxes & enviro levy § js includes 21 point safety inspection rove Save $8 on radiator flush & fill fagine antifreeze « Windshield washes fiuid « Power Steering tHluid © Transmission fluid ¢ Brake tluid 00pm Mon.-Sat. expres January 25°98 j ONSDALE & 13TH LOS Se ae oe oe ee ae ee ee 7AYLORMOT VE COLLISION SPECIALISTS B.C.A.A. - A.R.A. APPROVED CENTRE «shop Our, 39th Year ALL MAKE COLLISION REPAIRS “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” Alternative transportation arranged TALKING » Estimates * YELLOW PAGES 99-9000 Consultation | ° DON 7i4 1515 ..'98557455...’. pane vedanta et on Voges 4 74 Pemberton, », Vah'(5' biks's'