“Be careful, Muslims are so grumpy; you don’t want to mess with them during Ramadan.” “Oh, you can’t eat or be seen in public during this time.” “Start storing up your food because you are going to starve during this month.”

I regarded these warnings as little more than baseless stereotypes. I remember living in the same dorm and working with a Muslim girl whom I regard as an awesome friend back at the University of Kentucky and for the life of me, don’t ever recall her being grumpy and mean during her holy month. I do remember her having to wake up before the crack of dawn to eat her oatmeal before classes started. She was surprised when I told her what was said. People should be more at peace during the holy month. Later, those who made their all encompassing statements made the caveat by explaining those fasting from their nicotine addictions could be grumpy during Ramadan. OK, that makes a little more sense.

 Lent is six weeks (or forty days) leading up to Easter, marking the death and resurrection of Jesus. Ramadan is four weeks during the time that the Quran was reveal to the people. Ramadan and Easter are both based off the lunar calendar. Ramadan is always the 9th month. And since the lunar calendar moves with the phases of the moon the 9th month moves backwards on the Julian calendar. For example, I always remembered my girl pal celebrating Ramadan during the fall semester all during college. But last summer when I went to visit a friend living in Norway with a Muslim roommate, that roommate was fasting in August.   I had to facebook my college pal and ask what’s up with that the change in time. She called me “astute” for my observation and for inquiring. I felt pretty cool. And she explained the differences in calenders. This year, Ramadan started in July. Eventually, a few years from now, it’ll make its way into the winter months and then beginning again in the fall semester. It takes something like eleven years to complete the cycle around the Julian calendar.I can’t help but to liken the Holy Muslim month of Ramadan to the Holy Month of Catholic Lent.Even so, I wondered why the same stereotypes weren’t said of Catholics during their holy month of Lent or anyone else who fasts?

Clearly, fasting requires self-control and discipline as one denies the natural desires of the flesh. During spiritual fasting, the believer’s focus is removed from the physical pleasures of this world and draw closer to God. Fasting  is a time to study God’s Word, meditate and pray. To hear God’s word most clearly, you eliminate distractions like food and media.  Be still and focus on God. Look for verses you want to memorize and meditate upon.  Fasters spend time talking to God and allowing Him to reveal Himself to you in His Word. It is amazing how little Christians know about fasting or consider it to be a bizarre practice.

In Qatar and I’m sure other religion-focused countries, the entire day gets shifted in order to help citizens more effectively participate in their faith. So work hours are shortened and restaurants are closed but then shops and restaurants have extended evening hours.

At the end of Ramadan is a big celebration called Eid filled with food and family. I doubt I’ll get to be in on this celebration but I hear its fabulous if you make friends who invite you. Christians have a pre-fast celebration —Mardi gras, Carnival, Fasching —depending on what country you’re in  to get all their sinning in before they have to give it all up for 40 days.And there’s the Easter feast during our Holy period.

Sure,  there may be some doctrinal difference between the two fasts but on the surface, they appear very much alike and probably more alike than they are different.  These are my observations and understanding. If I’m off, please share with me!