Monday, July 30, 2007

Ramadan eeesa comin'

We've heard it mentioned in TV shows and Hollywood movies when people have lost their "Christmas Spirit."

In our country, I feel many have lost the "Ramadan Spirit."

Ramadan, Islam's month of fasting, used to be a gathering of family, of funny and dramatical tv shows, of Gergean (the Arabic trick or treat), of peace and spiritual relief, and it still is to some.

However, I've noticed a shift lately, or perhaps it's the fact that I'm "still growing up."

I was booking a business trip and I unfortunately have had to push it so that I show up a day before Ramadan, and there were no empty seats on the plane back as people are returning to Kuwait last minute.

I also know and heard of many people who leave Kuwait during the Holy Month of Ramadan as to not partake in this ritual.

So my question is, What's happened to the "Ramadan Spirit"? I know it's not a lack of faith, as many Kuwaitis seem to be more religious then when I was a child. Is it such a bother to fast and pray vigorously for one month?

The whole point of Ramadan is to thank God for the good things he has giving us in life, and to remember that there are poor people worse off than us.

Are some people in a state of denial? Do they not want to remember that there are other people suffering in the world, or do they just not believe in God anymore?