Fasting in a frenzied world

Muslims around the world welcome the arrival of the holy month of Ramadhan during which they practice ritual fasting. In some places people start to fast after the sighting of the new moon. Others who live under the cloudy skies have to resort to a scientific calculation to decide the arrival of the new month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

Although Ramadhan is a month of ordeals, Muslims welcome it with serenity and solemnity. A deep sense of happiness is clearly visible on their faces despite the fact they have to refrain from drinking, eating and sex from dawn to dusk because at the same time they are able to sublimate their emotions and increase their sense of social solidarity by trying to feel the sufferings of the poor and destitute. In short, during the month-long period Muslims try to purify their soul and develop the ability to master oneself.

Ramadhan is a busy month, especially at night. There is the breaking of the fast after sunset, a special prayer at the mosque later in the evening where activities focus on the glorification of the name of God. After a few hours sleep they wake up again to have their last meal right before dawn breaks. This is followed by subuh (early morning) prayers.

This special holy character of Ramadhan, however, has not been fully respected by many Muslims themselves. In a large city like Jakarta more and more people have become increasingly narrow- minded. Some claim they are the true defenders of Islam and in remote rural areas like East Java many took the law into their own hands to defend the position of their political leader in the name of Islam.

In several other places many Muslims have also been involved in confusing battles. In Aceh, where the most staunchest Muslims live, many have become targets of separatist warfare. At least 10 important people have been mysteriously gunned down in Aceh, which is locally dubbed the "Verandah of Mecca", since last year.

Elsewhere on this planet, many non-Muslims seem to have understood the sanctity of Ramadhan and the nature of its nocturnal activities. This was clearly the reason why some non- Muslim nations united with Muslim leaders in urging leaders in Washington last week to stop its bombing campaign in Afghanistan where innocent people have also become targets. Afghans may be able to exercise the virtue of patience amid the outrageous attacks but bombing innocent people while they are praying or having ritual meals is inhuman.

Now, although the Taliban have left Kabul and other urban bases to flee to the countryside the fanatic Taliban troops will surely wage a prolonged guerrilla war. This means many more innocent people will become victims. In this case the United States needs to think hard about its military campaign so that it does not turn into a bloody human rights sham.

Furthermore, Washington still has to convince the world's nations that Osama bin Laden is the real culprit behind the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.