Professor Luis Josué Salés
Associate Professor of Religious Studies Luis Josué Salés spoke with Fox 5 in Washington, DC, about the history and significance of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
He noted that the month commemorates the Prophet Muhammad receiving revelation of the Quran, Islam’s holy book. Most observers of Ramadan begin each day with a pre-dawn meal (Suhoor), then fast from food and drink throughout the day until partaking in a meal after sundown (Iftar).
“An important detail to note is that the root of the month’s name…means to burn or scorch,” Salés shared. “It’s suggestive that the faithful are going to be burning away or incinerating their sins through the observance of the practices prescribed for the month, like prayer, fasting, or alms giving.”
Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, one of Islam’s most sacred annual celebrations. Salés noted the occasion’s importance to mark the end of fasting, inaugurate the new month, and strengthen community, as well as Ramadan’s overall capacity to prompt deeper spirituality.
“[Ramadan] is also supposed to bring you closer to God—this is one of the main ideas, to get a heightened sense of awareness because you’re removing some of your distractions. As the Quran says, ‘God is closer to you than your jugular vein,’ Salés said. “The absence and presence of food are fairly common human experiences. Going through them simultaneously as a community can encourage a greater awareness of the plight of others, a heightened sense of empathy, and prompt us to be more proactive in relieving human suffering.”