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M.A. Elahi: Obama's Ramadan note shows respect for Islam
Written by Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
President Barack Hussein Obama's message Friday marking the beginning of Ramadan was the best we have ever heard from a Christian president. He expressed respect for the Muslim community's values, contributions and the seriousness of his commitment to a new beginning between America and 1.5 billion Muslims around the world.
The lunar month of Ramadan is the most important month in the Muslim calendar because the holy Quran was revealed during this time.
This book of 6,232 verses was recited to the Prophet Mohammad by the angel Gabriel throughout his 23-year mission. Yet, the collective spirit of this heavenly call was sent to his heart in one of the blessed nights of Ramadan.
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is a time for the fast, a tradition practiced by Moses and Jesus. Islam confirmed this spiritual legacy and called the faithful to complete it by abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk for the whole month. Children, the elderly, travelers, the sick or whoever may suffer seriously by observing these practices are exempted.
Fasting helps us empathize with the 50,000 kids that die of hunger every day in this world and encourages zakat or charity.
Ramadan gives believers an opportunity to focus on their relationships. Through piety, you please the Lord, and through peace, you please the people.
Because poverty is a primary cause of many social problems in Detroit and the world, fasting is mentioned in the Quran only 13 times, but charity and giving appear 148 times. Charity often benefits the givers more than receivers. It purifies our souls, builds our character and stabilizes our society.
That is why we are called to prayer and charity in this season.
Jesus has been quoted in the Quran as saying, "My Lord enjoined on me prayer, charity and kindness to my mother" (19-31). It takes courage, kindness, and commitment to give. Only those who win the internal battle against greed and selfishness can achieve the spiritual victory of a giving spirit.
Ramadan is a perfect time for transformation and bringing more dedication into our relationships with the Creator and His creation.
The plan is perfect, but not the people. The troubles in our world indicate the failure of the faithful to change it for the better.
Those responsible for killing and maiming innocents in Iraq and Pakistan are a shame and disgrace as are their financial and political supporters in the Arab and Western worlds. Such brutality is all the more barbaric and criminal during the season of peace, prayer and charity and has no place in any faith tradition.
In a state of piety and peace, we must all work together to promote good and prevent evil regardless of our personal and emotional attachments.
Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi heads the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights. E-mail letters to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Reposted with permission from Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi