October 31, 2003

Ramadan: Celebrating and educating

The Patient Care Services Diversity Steering Committee organized an information table in the Main Corridor Oct. 23 to help educate the MGH community about the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Firdosh Pathan, RPh, of the MGH Pharmacy, June McMorrow of MGH Patient Care Sevices and Khalil El-Rayah of MGH Interpreter Services offered information about Ramadan and the Muslim religion.

During this celebration, which began at sundown Oct. 27, healthy Muslim adults and many children observe fasting from dawn until sunset for 29 or 30 days. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called iftar. Also during Ramadan, Muslims perform good deeds such as offering more prayers, giving to more charities, improving family relations and helping the poor and the sick. The purpose of the fasting tradition is for Muslims to acquire self-control, discipline, generosity and God-consciousness by eliminating impurities from the body.

During Ramadan, group prayers will take place in the MGH Muslim prayer room on Founders 109. For more information, send e-mail to fpathan@partners.org or salbezreh@partners.org