Hello, and greetings my bearded soldiers, it’s me your bearded captain. I am here with an address of a different kind. As you know my beloved’s I like to try and make you laugh and smile with one-line jokes and general banter.
We are of course in unprecedented times, so the need to stay safe and well is of utmost importance. For the bearded Muslims amongst you, I would like to wish you a heartfelt Ramadan Mubarak (Happy Ramadan).
What is Ramadan I here you ask? No, it’s not where they “starve themselves” as some famously said within my earshot. Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, where for 29/30 days (depending on the lunar calendar).
In this month, we Muslims abstain from food, drink and sexual activity in daylight hours. this a month, where we Muslims try to nourish the mind, body and soul. A cliche some might say this is, but if done correctly this will be achieved.
Ramadan, this year has a very different feel to it. This is quite simply due to the coronavirus, but the order of the day is to stay home and save lives. Some of the
Ramadan rituals is to share a meal with your community when you open your fast.
In my case, I am blessed to have a big family, so we get by and have been sharing our meals to open the fast with each other. In life, you deal with the cards you’re dealt with, but it doesn’t mean it was a bad deck.
The other Ramadan ritual would be a congregational night prayer (Taraweeh). Now, again this would be a chance to meet with the community spirit and also help build a spiritual connection, but just like with the opening of the fast, the need to stay home and save lives, is more important above all else.
Just like before Ramadan, where you observed lockdown, inshaaAllah do the same here. In the long run, you will realise it’s the best thing you did my Muslim beard.
It’s over and out from the bearded captain. Ramadan Mubarak!
The Bearded Captain 