Main content
04/06/2016
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Rania Hafez, a senior lecturer in education at the University of Greenwich.
Last on
Sat 4 Jun 2016
05:43
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Script:
Good Morning
When I was at convent school in Lebanon the summer holidays started at the end of June, so the anticipation would start building up from the early days of the month...I remember that tingling feeling with every passing day...it would soon be here, the summer holiday! Time to break the monotony of routine and enjoy the promise of summer just around the corner with long sunny days stretching into bright evenings.Today many will be experiencing a similar anticipation. Not exactly a summer holiday, but for Muslims in Britain and around the world, something as exciting and as longed for: the month of Ramadan.
The month of fasting and prayer is only a few days away….it’s the time when we take a spiritual break from the routine of daily life ...it’s a time to slow down, a time to contemplate, to appreciate loved ones, savour afresh the sweetness of prayer and of course endure the physical and spiritual test that is fasting. We abstaining not only from food and drink during the day, but more importantly from all negative behaviours and emotions for a whole month. It may not sound like a holiday, especially in the long days of June, but like taking a long hike on a beautiful mountain, it’s arduous yet rewarding, not only with the promise of a cold glass of water and sweet juicy dates at sunset, but with the spiritual renewal that comes from time taken to pause, to reflect, and to reconnect with others, with ourselves, and with God.Loving merciful God, we thank you for the brightness, warmth and beauty of the long days of summer, and for giving us the opportunity to pause, to take stock, and to start afresh every day. Amen.
When I was at convent school in Lebanon the summer holidays started at the end of June, so the anticipation would start building up from the early days of the month...I remember that tingling feeling with every passing day...it would soon be here, the summer holiday! Time to break the monotony of routine and enjoy the promise of summer just around the corner with long sunny days stretching into bright evenings.Today many will be experiencing a similar anticipation. Not exactly a summer holiday, but for Muslims in Britain and around the world, something as exciting and as longed for: the month of Ramadan.
The month of fasting and prayer is only a few days away….it’s the time when we take a spiritual break from the routine of daily life ...it’s a time to slow down, a time to contemplate, to appreciate loved ones, savour afresh the sweetness of prayer and of course endure the physical and spiritual test that is fasting. We abstaining not only from food and drink during the day, but more importantly from all negative behaviours and emotions for a whole month. It may not sound like a holiday, especially in the long days of June, but like taking a long hike on a beautiful mountain, it’s arduous yet rewarding, not only with the promise of a cold glass of water and sweet juicy dates at sunset, but with the spiritual renewal that comes from time taken to pause, to reflect, and to reconnect with others, with ourselves, and with God.Loving merciful God, we thank you for the brightness, warmth and beauty of the long days of summer, and for giving us the opportunity to pause, to take stock, and to start afresh every day. Amen.
Broadcast
- Sat 4 Jun 2016 05:43Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
"Time is passing strangely these days..."
Uplifting thoughts and hopes for the coronavirus era from Salma El-Wardany.