Ramadhan is a time, more than ever, for intensification of the doing of good deeds and the abhorrence of evil. One’s fast would be unacceptable to Allah (swt) if the person willfully wrongs himself/herself and his/her fellow. It is a period for greater consciousness of our own actions which must, every single time, be for the glory of Allah (swt). It is the best time to commit ourselves to our religious practices like the reading of the Qur’an, performing salah, being exemplars of a good Muslim (as much as we can) as it is during this time when Allah (swt) is believed to be most generous in his bestowing of blessings to His abiding creations. Most especially, it is the perfect season for sharing the blessings we have received from Him for the year that has passed.

   For these reasons, the celebrations of Ramadhan and the Eid have always been among the much awaited events by the communities served by the Center for Moderate Muslims in the past five years. Qur’an Reading Competitions and ‘Qur’an Reading Exhibitions by Champions’ were much anticipated highlights in the Quiapo Grand Mosque, in Marawi City and in the Greenhills Mosque in Virra Mall. Religious activities in the evening injected with sports-related activities very apt for the young ones in Marawi City, Davao City, Zamboanga City and Metro Manila made the youth invigorated and ready to face the next day’s fast. These were capped by the awarding of winners on the Eid’l Fitr celebrations.

   The lectures given by the CMM Ulama just before iftar for the entire month of Ramadhan in every designated mosque are indeed beneficial for those who eagerly wait for the azan (call to prayer that signifies breaking of the fast). CMM lecturers never fail to bring with them sumptuous iftar for the jama’a (congregation) to complete the simple feast they are tasked to deliver. This was true not only for the mosques in Metro Manila, but also for those in the provinces where CMM has its offices – thus bringing with them spiritual and physical nourishment for everyone!

   This year, despite Comm. Basman’s passing, we try to continue some activities on the occasion of Ramadhan with the help of generous family and friends. After a lull of almost three months, we continued the CMM programs on Computer Literacy, Day Care, Madrasah-Montessori, Youth Islamic Lectures, and Sunday Women’s Group. Initially, we were apprehensive of the possibility of a bland response from our beneficiaries in our base in Maharlika Village. Unbeknownst to us, the community was still fervently waiting for the resumption of such projects as seen from the turn-out of the participants. It warmed our hearts when they told us that they felt like a temporary vacuum was created by the absence of our usual programs, especially those involving da’wah. Hence, its participants more than doubled in number for the past month, Alhamdulillah!

   Generous people were also eager to share their blessings for the less fortunate beneficiaries of our programs. Family and friends started to chip-in knowing the good cause of the CMM activities. The trust we established for the past years is now working for our and our communities’ benefit. Our Jakarta-based columnist, Ms. Roslaini Iljas-Rasuman, was a big help in bringing in some donations coming from different parts of the world. With the help of all these, we try to re-institute our past programs especially for this month of Ramadhan. Though slow, we have been successful in re-implementing programs which we deem should be given priority like the giving of groceries and sponsorship of iftar in selected mosques.

   More and more Muslims have been exhibiting, through the intercession of CMM, the true spirit of Ramadhan – giving and selflessness. As they say, the hunger makes us more sympathetic to those around us who may not have been given the same opportunities as we enjoy. Fortunately, this sympathy has productively translated, for some of us, to the sharing of our blessings with others. Inshaallah, these help and other well-meaning activities will not cease come the end of this festive season.

   EID MUBARAK and may Allah (swt) bless us all!!!