“The night of fate, You night of fate, In you came the guidance of the people, In you, in the fasting month of Ramadan!” These words were resounded shortly before the end of the holy month of Ramadan through the SEKEM Schools. The teachers sang these words written by SEKEM founder Ibrahim Abouleish during a celebration of the so called “Night of Destiny”.
In Egypt, the family values are deeply enrooted in the community, and is manifested during the holy month of Ramadan. Also the feast at the end of this month, the Eid al-Fitr, is dedicated to spend time with the families and loved ones, while at the same time not forgetting about the poor by sharing and charity work.
Time of reflection and charity
People spend the holy month of Ramadan, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, in daily prayer while, during day time, depriving their bodies of their pleasures, sharing love and kindness with other people and seeking to please god. For a whole month, people get to experience what it’s like to have nothing; an exercise that should manifest in their behavior and consciousness all year long.
Ramadan time is characterized by peacefulness and serenity. Streets are empty during the day and the festivities and feasts when breaking the fasting together start to take place in the evening and go up till the late hours of the night. Then, at sunset you will find people handing water and dates to hungry strangers, a true heartwarming scene that remind us how to care for one another.
SEKEM shares these specials times with its community through songs, feasts and celebrations, decorations with colorful Ramadan lantern, never neglecting the spiritual aspect and purpose. “Ramadan is the best time to nourish the soul and mind,” says Helmy Abouleish, CEO of SEKEM during the Sunday meeting with the employees, encouraging them to use that special time of the year to reflect on their role and responsibilities on earth and towards one another. Since Ramadan is also a time of growing consumption, for SEKEM it is particularly important to see through all the beautiful lights, presents and celebrations, to not forget the fact that the holy month of Ramadan, above all, is a time of reflection, prayer and compassion.
Nadine Greiss
A Sweet Treat For a Special Time