I don't know a lot about this holiday or the Muslim religion, but a few of my co-workers and friends began fasting last week and I always like to ask them questions about Ramadan and Islam in general. And with all of the controversy and such swirling in the news about a mosque in the vacinity of ground zero I want to take the time to wish a very Happy Ramadan to our gbb board members in observance...I hope all your dreams come true on this holiest of months!

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset.[1] Fasting is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility, and spirituality. It is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of Allah and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. As compared to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards about eleven days each year depending on the moon. Muslims believe Ramadan to be an auspicious month for the revelations of God to humankind, being the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Even though I'm apparently the local redneck liberal (or disgruntled moderate conservative?), I must admit I don't have the license to spell wisdom about this particular topic.

I'm sure Afs won't mind helping.

I respect religion and the good folks who worship in their own way. On the lighter side, us Italians could never be Muslims...imagine going over to grandma's house for Sunday dinner and saying; "No thanks, I'm fasting." Italians could never fast - especially on a holiday!
Happy Ramadan to all who celebrate!

Good idea for a thread, Ice.

My best wishes to all those who are celebrating.

As I understand it a muslim cannot eat during daylight hours, and must fast from sunrise to sunset. Fasting is a part of many religions, including the Catholic faith which encourages fasting in Lent. Here's wishing peace to all real muslims.

Salam Aleikum

I don't mind, but I'm a bit scared of people and their torches and pitchforks.

All is well. The other day a soccer player was fired because he was eating during the day. Some were being beaten on the streets for doing the same. Happy times.

I seem to become the kid who makes trouble during the sermon. Sacred cows are just not my thing anymore.

Yeah, whatever, happy Ramadan, though not so happy for some of us who don't care anymore.

Best wishes to our Muslim friends!

Afsaneh, I laud you copiously for your efforts to stay true to your beliefs even in the face of such horrid opposition in your own country. You'd rather be hated for what you are than loved for what you're not... and I applaud you!

Happy Ramadan to one and all!

I meant it as I being an ass about religion on this board. Surely I wouldn't eat outside here, as I very much like to continue to live. (That's an exaggeration, but still I don't like to get into trouble over that.)

But I've been an ass about religion here, and it is not just Islam. I wonder if you applaud me the next time I do the same toward Christianity or the rest of the bunch.

Afs you are very brave to speak out the way you do, and I can only hope the people of Iran rise up and throw the crazies out of power.

I don't think I'm, but thanks all the same DT. Let's hope so.

Happy Danaram

I think agnostic and atheists should show the faithful as much respect as they themselves would expect, but in your situation I can see why you'd want to discredit your religious oppressors. However I don't believe that science or logic disproves religion in anyway or that there's any truth to the notion that scientists don't believe in God, soooo.. I wouldn't go there with you necessarily, but yeah. Just don't be too big of an ass.

Yeah, there you go. Hence you could save your applaud. I make fun of all the sacred cows that there are and I'll be an ass about it.

BTW, science and logic? Yours or mine? Just forget it about it, will ya?

What is the structure of the Iranian national government and who or what body has the authority to order military action especially the release of nuclear weapons?

Supreme leader is the commander in chief of the armed forces.

How does the leader acquire his position?

Kind of like Pope.

Here is a pic:



86 of these mullahs select a supreme leader for life, unless he gets impeached by the same body as an unfit ruler, he assumes absolute power. Sine there are filters that only people he approves get elected into these 8 year terms of this chamber, therefore practically he can never be impeached.

So, in contrast with media statements that the President of Iran is in control, it is actually the Supreme Leader with the support of the mullahs?

In theory the supreme leader is in control. However, not if the armed forces are against him. I'm not sure what the case is here. if he is actually in control of them, or secretly is being controlled by them.

So, in either case, Ahmadinejad is relatively neutralized?

I really couldn't say. Many are baffled that who is actually in charge and why he is doing such an awful job, they surely are ruining the foundation of this regime, well thankfully, but at what cost?

Ahmadinejad is a former member of Pasdaran, the section of the armed forces now in charge. It will come down to how many are loyal to him, how many to the supreme leader and how many are loyal to the opposition.