The Islamic holy month of Ramadan has fallen in the middle of summer for 2012, and weeks of record and near-record high temperatures in Madison is affecting local Muslims taking part in the religious tradition.
The most well-known practice during the month is the fasting from sun-up to sun-down, which means no food or water for over 16 hours, from 4 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. during these long days.
"It's a complete change in the daily routine, in summer or winter, but in the summer it's a serious change," says Ibrahim Saeed, president of the board at the Islamic Center of Madison.
UW-Madison Muslim Students Association (MSA) President Siddique Akram, who works at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, says he often takes a nap during his lunch break to avoid watching others eat. He has also given up playing on his intramural soccer team for the month, due to the heat.
Saeed says many Muslims delay outdoor activities until after the month. But according to Akram, it's worth it.
"It's one month out of the year where I have to compromise on what I want to do, and I don't think it's asking too much," he says. "I can play soccer 11 months out of the year."
Ramadan is the "most blessed month" of the year in Islam, according to Saeed, and is a time for Muslims to practice patience and self-control. It is believed to be the month when the Quran, Islam's holy book, was revealed. MSA Vice President Youhi Ghouse also says it is a month when the devil is "locked away," allowing people to achieve a higher level of happiness in their lives.
Because the Islamic calendar runs 355 days, the timing of the holy month changes in regard to the seasons over the years. This year, it began on July 20 and will end August 19.
Some other, lesser-known traditions of the month include increased charity-giving, being respectful to friends, neighbors and relatives, increasing the number of prayers throughout the day, reading the Quran more often, and controlling behaviors and words.
But fasting is the most significant because, Saeed says, it is "between you and the Lord"
"The other worships, people can see them. But the fasting, you can't tell, and that's the beauty and why the reward is multiplied," he says.
During the month, turnout at the Islamic Center of Madison increases, according to Saeed, as people "come back" to the religion and rediscover their commitment.
Akram and Ghouse say they appreciate the month for the community building that takes place, both inside and outside the Muslim faith, as people pray and eat together.
On July 28, the Islamic Center held an outreach and education gathering, where people watched videos about the religion and joined in the breaking of the fast at night, called the "iftar," and the MSA holds a "fast-a-thon" every year to educate other students about their faith.
