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I actually find the whole ritual of fasting for Ramadan to be quite beautiful. Baraka made a nice post about fasting. In my opinion, the whole idea of fasting is in line with "total submission to God" which I find to be both intense and transcendent. Deprivation of the body is good for the soul. The discipline and sacrifice required is admirable and respectable. I love the sacrifice and devotion required to complete a month of fasting. To go without food and water from sunrise to sunset is no easy task. The act of faith is very beautiful in my eyes. The first week is the most difficult. As your body adjusts and your mind is tested your spirit then takes over. The amount of mental focus and spiritual reckoning evolves over the next few weeks creating quite the experience.
Hakeem Olajuwon observed Ramadan during his time in the NBA which caused his coaches and trainers a bit of anxiety and concern (understandably). I'm with you Will, not so sure I can do it. Though every year I am tempted to try. Last year I would waft my lunch aroma towards my Muslim buddy every now and then in jest. In my circle of friends, I have to pull kosher and halal duty all the time, especially in this day and age of fusion cuisines and the status of certain dishes or foods is not obvious. Will, what people like us can do is join our friends for a day or two or even a week of fasting to share the experience.
Some strict "orthodox" Muslims may observe some sort of limited sex restrictions but so do Christians, Buddhists, and Jews too for that matter. I have Muslim friends who drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes too. I'm sure Muslims have no trouble in the sex department.
Happy Ramadan may seem a bit odd to say, but I meant it sincerely and wholeheartedly which I'm sure Dlish and others understood it to be.
So...
Happy Ramadan everyone!!
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to the one that endures to the end."
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