To the Editor:

Muslims unite globally to uphold 30 days of fasting from sunrise to sunset in sacred Ramadan, alighting April 13th this year again amid COVID restrictions.

It was in the “night of decree…better than a thousand months” during the last ten days of this 9th lunar month in 7th century Arabia that God’s powerful law-bearing words began descending through the Holy Spirit, Angel Gabriel, on the immaculate heart of the unlettered orphaned Prophet Muhammad who was fasting alone in cave Hira atop Mount Nur.

Ramadan is also when decisive prophetic signs supporting the Messiah Mirza Ghulam Ahmad materialized in 1894 and 1895 when the moon and sun eclipsed precisely on their first and third possible days.

Ramadan commemorates the majestic genesis and 23-year incremental revelation of the most read and influential book still guiding humanity out of darkness into enlightenment; the Holy Quran. Muslims collectively illustrate an Islamic pillar by “not living on bread alone” but by the spiritual nourishment of reforming Divine commandments. This expiates our sins and strengthens our relationship with the Source of justice and peace bringing us closer to Allah and humanity, particularly the poor.

Fasting is a healthy, soul-saving Divine prescription that echoes across Faiths. This prophetic discipline was emulated by Jesus, Buddha, Confucius, Moses, Zoroaster, and Krishna as a shield against spiritual pandemics and to transcend transitory attachments towards lasting Divine nearness. The healing training of self-restraint and sacrifice induce compassion and solidarity with the underprivileged while sharpening metaphysical abilities. Spiritual, moral, and physical cleanliness, elevated recitation and embodying of Quran, worship, charity, promoting peace, and eschewing vice promise social justice, service, and righteousness. Renouncing carnal attachments purifies and enriches the soul to behold the hidden Lord of all the worlds.

You too can taste the sweet transformative fruit of this outwardly bitter struggle.

With God’s peace and blessings,

Zahir Muhammad Mannan

humbly serving as Outreach Secretary

Chaplain for CT State Police and Meriden PD

Baitul Aman “House of Peace” Mosque

410 Main Street, Meriden