Ramadan and Eid, 2005 ~ Sister Jamilah Kolocotronis
Assalaamu alaikum.
I worried about Ramadan this year. For the last two years, Ramadan has been rough.
Two years ago, my oldest son came back from his studies in Europe and announced that he planned to get married. Soon. She was back in Spain, living with her parents. They talked on the phone almost every day. In the middle of Ramadan, he announced that he couldn't wait. He booked a flight, and they were married before the end of Ramadan. We talked with her parents over the phone, and they were stunned as we were about the rush of events. "At least wait until the end of Ramadan," we all said. But they couldn't wait. That Ramadan was so hectic, I could barely concentrate on my five daily prayers, much less anything else.
Last Ramadan, our family was homeless. Not in the traditional sense, but we lacked a base. Three months earlier we had moved to a different state, where my husband had been offered a job. Three months before we left, he found a rental house for us. Two days before we left, we were informed that the house would not be ready when we arrived. The details are too complicated to go into, but it took three months before we could move in. The house finally became available in the middle of Ramadan. Fasting, packing and unpacking. That was not how I wanted to spend my Ramadan.
This year I returned to teaching. Even though it is an Islamic school, the principal decided to have full days during Ramadan this year. I argued with him--the principal is also my husband--but he stood his ground. In the afternoons I taught some very unruly sixth graders who, unfortunately, did not improve their behavior during Ramadan. But. . .this Ramadan was peaceful. We have a house. My son and his wife are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child. And I felt at peace. Even in the midst of teaching middle school.
Eid is another story. I'll say only that I hope, one day, to be able to hear the khutbah without straining. One day, I hope for an Eid prayer that is truly an act of worship, not a party. I had Eids like that years ago, when I first became a Muslim. But I doubt they will ever return.
Jamilah Kolocotronis
I worried about Ramadan this year. For the last two years, Ramadan has been rough.
Two years ago, my oldest son came back from his studies in Europe and announced that he planned to get married. Soon. She was back in Spain, living with her parents. They talked on the phone almost every day. In the middle of Ramadan, he announced that he couldn't wait. He booked a flight, and they were married before the end of Ramadan. We talked with her parents over the phone, and they were stunned as we were about the rush of events. "At least wait until the end of Ramadan," we all said. But they couldn't wait. That Ramadan was so hectic, I could barely concentrate on my five daily prayers, much less anything else.
Last Ramadan, our family was homeless. Not in the traditional sense, but we lacked a base. Three months earlier we had moved to a different state, where my husband had been offered a job. Three months before we left, he found a rental house for us. Two days before we left, we were informed that the house would not be ready when we arrived. The details are too complicated to go into, but it took three months before we could move in. The house finally became available in the middle of Ramadan. Fasting, packing and unpacking. That was not how I wanted to spend my Ramadan.
This year I returned to teaching. Even though it is an Islamic school, the principal decided to have full days during Ramadan this year. I argued with him--the principal is also my husband--but he stood his ground. In the afternoons I taught some very unruly sixth graders who, unfortunately, did not improve their behavior during Ramadan. But. . .this Ramadan was peaceful. We have a house. My son and his wife are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child. And I felt at peace. Even in the midst of teaching middle school.
Eid is another story. I'll say only that I hope, one day, to be able to hear the khutbah without straining. One day, I hope for an Eid prayer that is truly an act of worship, not a party. I had Eids like that years ago, when I first became a Muslim. But I doubt they will ever return.
Jamilah Kolocotronis
posted by Shaz at 6:56 AM
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