Friday, September 4, 2009

Ramazan and Difficult Times


Ramazan has arrived bringing a spiritual revival along. Ramazan is a window of opportunity to change monotonous attitudes, lifestyles and behaviours. Eating , drinking, sleeping and lifestyle changes during the fasting period serve to lighten up and freshen the spirit. It is perceived as an action that can revive the soul that has lost its vitality. Ramazan is an exercise for ethical behaviour, it sets a harness on the strong powers of lust, ambition and selfishness. This does not infer that those powers would be destroyed or ultimately weakened but that they would fall into the humane and sublime direction defined by the Creator.It reminds us of the aggressive and oppressive policies ruling today's world.
Fasting gives us a moment of solitude and contemplation. The hunger we experience reminds us of the widening gap between the poor and the rich and the fact that millions die of hunger in the unjust world we have created today. Ramazan reminds us of the soul that is also hungry for love and worship. I remember I met Archbishop Capucci on an occasion during the Revolution in 1979, he described how terrible the food and treatment of the Israelis were in their prisons and how he had lost weight. " But that is good for the flight of the spirit the lighter you are the higher you can fly" he added. We have many innocent Muslim political activists, journalists, students and ordinary people still imprisoned in Iran and many other parts of the world. Ramazan is the time to pray for them and for the ultimate Justice that we all yearn for.
Although we have a miraculous Book at hand to guide us through the storms and blizzards of our times, yet we do not take appropriate refuge in the Quran. Ramazan is the month of reciting and contemplating the Quran.There is so much to learn and gain, so much that could transform our lives and enable us to proceed and persevere in the path of justice and truth.
We are facing serious challenges in the Islamic Republic, we hope that Ramazan will create an atmosphere for forgiveness and truthfullness in these difficult times.

4 comments:

Shahab Mahdavi said...

I believe Ramadan is a month which is much more different with other parts of the year.
I am really proud of visiting your site as I know you as a really intelligent woman.
I would be my greatest pleasure if you visit my blog and help me with your comments.
To speak frank, I do know you as the symbol of perseverance among Iranian women.

Unknown said...

despite your hope they could'nt take ramazan as a great opportunity to solve the problems!
unfortunately,instead of solving problems they added fuel to the flames!
but,we still hope for the best.

Black Chador said...

Hi Dr Ebtekar,

I am just wondering how your Democracy doing today?
I have heard that they (Prince Mojtaba and Taghalobi Nejah) have banned Persian Blog site. Is this the Democracy you were singing about last year?
Don't you think that is time for the BIG Reformist such as yourself and Mr. Khatami stop worrying about your political position and join Iranian in taking their country back.

Black Chador said...

As usual I know you won't post my comments on either of your sites but , someone has to read it before that someone can reject it. As Samad Behrangi use to say in his stories: Even a lonely Fire Fly can shed lights on truth.