You, Me and Ramadan

NOTE: Only an excerpt from each profile is presented in this post.

When I decided to do this questioner on Ramadan, I didn’t really envision many knowing exactly what this religious time was about. I do believe that a majority of non-Muslims are aware and educated on “Muslims and Islam”. Although I may believe that, I am still very much convinced that a lot of that education and desire came about after September 11th. I am aware of the fact that my assumption is a stereotype and I may offend some because of it, but I am positive that prior to September 11th, people in the United States knew very little or none of Islam, but I think that 9/11 raised an uncanny awareness for the American people; in terms of learning about Muslims and Islam.

I have to admit that I choose the people who took this

 questionnaire , which goes against the rules and regulations, but fortunately I lucked out with this group. They are as diverse and different as you can get, from White Haitians and Jamaicans to Colombians, Uruguayans, American Jews, Trinidadians to a Catholic Priest and Young Democrats. Their answers were just as diverse, surprising and some, actually funny, but a majority of them knew of the Muslim Holy month and what it entails. I say surprising because most of these individuals are from South Florida, born and raised. If you live in South Florida, Miami-Dade particularly the words “Muslim”, “Islam”, “Ramadan” means nothing to anyone who lives there, they do know however, that “a Muslim man, in the name of God flew a plane into the World Trade Center and killed 3,000 people”, but there is so much more to being Muslim and following Islam than most people think. I don’t resent people for thinking one way that is different from my way, I do however resent those who don’t learn the facts and or respect another’s traditions.

I come from an Islamic family, both my brother and father are practicing Muslims and when I was younger, my mother (a Hindu ) would place a scarf on my head and send me to Mosque on Eid and I would partake in everything that the Muslim women at the Mosque would do. Sadly, I did not know what I was doing. I knew nothing of any motions or head turns or words during the time of prayer on that day, but I did it and I was blessed enough to have the women, who knew my mother was a Hindu and I was the only female Muslim, take me under their wing and help me with everything. Never once did I feel like I was being forced or told what to do. In Trinidad, where I am from, it is common for the children to follow the father’s religion. But in my case, my brother and I had the best of both worlds and now being an adult I have the best of three worlds, being Catholic. I haven’t forgotten where I came from and like my father, who gave my brother and I the freedom to choose whatever religion we wanted, I too, hope to give my children that same freedom. When I tell others of my background, it shocks them that I was allowed to find my relationship with God through another religion that was not Islam and that my Muslim father married a Hindu woman. The brief story of my background was to show that Muslims too, are like every day people. Yes, some are beyond strict, as far as fundamentalist, but a majority of them share common beliefs with non-Muslims. They too accept the world as it is, and understand what their ancestors did before them, like every other person on this planet. So for any person to assume that all Muslims are cut from the same cloth as the late Osama bin Laden is quite perplexing to me.

Participants answered sixteen question concerning the Ramadan, Muslims and Islam. One question was addressed for the post profile.

Marco Giron, 31yrs –Doral, FL

Marco Giron is currently part of the Public Relations team with the City of Miami and also the host of TF7, a webisode for 27/7 Miami.

The broadcaster in Mr. Giron was very intrigued about a Ramadan tweet I sent out and wanted to know what Ramadan was about. So, I preceded to explain the point of fasting and why Muslims take part in this and he thought it was rather interesting. I was a little confused when I read his answers though, because he did state he had been around those of the Islamic faith, but I do understand why he may not of known what Ramadan was or what it entailed until I explained it to him. And I understood that because, like I mentioned before, not many Miamians know what Ramadan or Islam is about. I found his answers to come from a more spiritual side, rather than religious and I say this because, he answered “ I believe we all connect with God in our own different ways and I admire the Muslim tradition and culture” in the question “What do you think of their religion, culture and tradition. He didn’t state we need to find religion to connect with God. I agree with his answer because I believe that our relationship is personal with God, whether a person fines religion or not, that is up to them.

 Sylvanna Perez, 26 yrs-Miami Lakes, FL

 

Sylvanna Perez is currently a Business Advisor at Florida International University and just recently graduated with her MBA, also from Florida International University.

Ms. Perez is from Cuban- Uruguayans decent and is the younger of two girls, both born and raised in Miami, FL. The 27 year old answered in a very unique, yet truthful way, “Do I think a Muslim who promotes violence on to others and then fasts for Ramadan is a hypocrite? Absolutely!! But so is the Christian who abuses his wife and then goes to church every Sunday. Just like in every religion, there are good, honest people, and then there are those that use the religion as a cloak for the fact that they are a horrible person.” I felt I needed to ask that question, because I have heard it in many different ways just how hypocritical Muslims may be. However at the end of the day to each its own right?

 

Evan Ross, 21 yrs-Aventura, FL

Evan Ross is a 21 year old Political Consultant with the Miami-Dade Democratic Executive Committee and the currently the Fundraising Director for the Miami-Dade Young Democrats.

One of Miami’s up and coming young Democrats, Mr. Ross was the perfect subject to question, in my opinion. His comprehension of the Islamic religion, culture, tradition is simple -“they are a religion of peace, but has been perceptually hijacked by a bad sect.” He also went on to say, “Unfortunately, Islamic nations worldwide have not taken a strong stance against hate and violence, which has furthered the problem. This Young Democrat is right in his statement, although there are those who distance themselves from the acts of violence and hate, there is a portion of that 1.8 million Muslims worldwide, who breathe hatred, and it runs in their blood. Granted, not all share that characteristic, but the United States as a nation is still very weary of that. Even though they have the support of American Muslims and some influential Muslim leaders, there are still the ones we don’t hear of or see, until BAMB… something catastrophic happens and a nation is in mourning.

Bert Duthiers, 27 yrs- Seattle, WA





Bert Duthiers is currently an engineer with Boeing Seattle and spends his time between Miami and Seattle.

He is often referred to as the “White Haitian”, but this engineer is fluent in three languages and as international as one can get. I must admit, this was the funniest of them all, very light hearted, but to the point. I choose him for this questionnaire because he at one point lived with my brother and although a person may spent time with a person of Islamic faith, it may not necessarily mean you know about Islam or what it means to be a Muslim. The way one worships can be every extreme for some, but to that individual it's nothing of the sort. We all worship God differently, like I said before, one’s relationship with God is personal. Mr. Duthiers feels fasting is above and beyond, the transition people go through when worshiping during the holy month. However, he sees the fine line between spiritual and the physical. He feels that our physical bodies were not meant for the physical challenge presented by fasting for an entire month. I understand his point of view, putting one’s body through such physical demands can be somewhat hazardous, however it is hard to understand why they worship the way they do. I eat veggies and drink water for 40 days during Lent, but that is my way of sacrificing for God, my way of being thankful. In my head, it makes sense and for 1.8 million Muslim around the world, their way makes sense as well.

Cheryl Simone-Miller, 43-Coral Springs, FL

Cheryl Simone-Miller is a mother of one and a long time radio broadcaster, working on both Coast. She is currently the co-creator of Four Paws, an animal rescue magazine.

She is the modern day Joan Cleaver (in the sense she is dedicated to her family and cooks up a storm) who sees no color, race, ethnicity or gender, she sees  only a person to befriend. I knew at least one of her answers would touch on something close to her way of life. CSM states “I think Islam is one of many religions in the world that started with the "golden rule" and got manipulated by those who lost sight of ways to love one another and preferred to look for differences. Some often forget what the golden rule is….LOVE. It is portrayed and touched on very clearly in all three holy books, and when that rule is forgotten, we cannot move forward as people.

Francesca Menes, 26yrs- Miami, FL

Frances Menes is a Coordinator/Policy Analyst for Florida Immigrant Coalition, Inc. she is currently working on her Master in Public Administration at Florida International University.

I have had the funny answers, the straight to the point, and the very neutral ones as well, but in all the answers I read, the only person to talk about the Prophet Mohammed and Jesus was this participant. I appreciated that because not many know that Christianity and Islam both come from Abraham. Ms. Menes referred to the Prophet as “One of the brothers of the holy book” when speaking about what her thoughts were on Islam, she went on the state that in her opinion Islam is a beautiful religion, as is all the others. As a child of three different religious backgrounds, it is always sweet songs, when others refer to all religions as beautiful and does not pass judgement.
 

Jeremy Marks-Peltz, 28yrs- West Palm Beach, FL

Jeremy Marks-Peltz is a Radio Host/Production Director at ESPN 760 and holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Miami.

This up and coming Radio Personality is of the Jewish faith, and although I have three participants of the Jewish faith, I don’t think you can ever have enough when wanting to learn about the Middle East and its culture. Mr. Peltz, who admitted he knew very little about Ramadan, felt that religious extremes are the extremes. However, his respect for the Muslim religion is like that of any other religion. This ESPN personality, whose main focus at this point is sports, shares the same feelings of most of the world –“those who believe their leaders tell them to use violence for religion is scary” and it is very scary. The late Osama bin Laden brain washed his followers, injected hate and anger into them, some as young at 8 years old. The thought of a young child, who can’t do long division, instead holding an AK-47, chanting “death to America” is beyond scary.

Jessica Klahr- Sanchez, 27yrs-Plantation, FL

Jessica Klahr-Sanchez is a kindergarten teacher in Aventura. She holds a BA and Master in Elementary Education from the University of Florida.

This young mother of one, is the final participant of the Jewish faith and like myself, we share the same sentiments about the state of Islam at this point in time. Mrs. Klahr-Sanchez, along with a good portion of non-Muslims around the world, feel for them. Most Muslims have paid for what one man and his minions did to the world. His acts have put Muslims around the world under suspicion and Mrs. Klahr-Sanchez touched on that point. She stated “Islam is in a bad state; the extremist floating around has put this religion in a bad state.” To some extent, I concur, but I feel and I hope that citizens of the world see beyond that one man and his horrific actions.

 

Laura Rambarose, 29yrs-Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Laura Rambarose is a professor of psychology at Broward College.

This 29 year old Trinidadian, preparing for her wedding was the only person who touched on both women rights and family in her questionnaire. Ms. Rambarose, like most women of non-Islamic descent and some of Islamic decent can’t comprehend the oppressiveness of women because they are not allowed to do things as freely as men are. For example, a woman cannot go out in public if she wanted to without being escorted by family members or her husband's family. And if she even looks at another man or worse yet speaks to one, she is punished for it. It is very hard for anyone to understand the reasoning behind such a mentality. It is a way of life for those who are devout and trying to understand such a way of life, will never make sense to us.

Michael Greci, 23 yrs-Miramar, FL

Michael Greci Radio Producer/Board Op at Clear Channel Communications and he is currently working on his BA in Communications at Barry University.

This Radio Producer is of Jamaican and Italian decent and the younger of two boys. Growing up in South Florida, Mr. Greci feels that Islam is a based strongly on tradition and like most of my participants, his heart goes out to them, summing up that they are “getting a bad wrap” for acts committed by extremist. He went on the say that this religion maybe greatly misunderstood by outsiders in today’s world and as a daughter of a Muslim, I can a test for that. A lot of outsiders do feel hatred for Muslims, but like I have mentioned before, there is more to these peaceful souls that 9/11.

 

Nathalie Rodriguez, Miami Lakes, FL

Nathalie Rodriguez is a long time Bilingual News Anchor/ Voice-Over Talent at Clear Channel Communications. She holds a B.A in Broadcast Communication from Barry University.

This mother of three has lived everywhere from Japan to New York and has a long history in media. Ms. Rodriguez, like most people believe that a noted Holiday is not required for spirituality or closeness to God, I agree and disagree with her, I can see both sides of it. I agree that there shouldn’t be a special day to feel close to God, it should be a way of life and every day kind of thing. I do disagree though about a Holiday, because its tradition and every religion has it and to deny anyone who sacrificed, whether they be Muslim, Catholic, Hindu, Jew or Buddhist to have that day, would be sort of insensitive. 
 

Father Tim Lozier, 58yrs Jacksonville, FL

Father Tim Lozier, is the Catholic Pastor at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida.

“I think it’s awesome” those were his exact words when asked “What do you think of Ramadan?” I am sure you are all thinking, it’s easy for another person who doesn’t have to fast day to think this way, but in actually, this holy month is a beautiful time. It is a time to reflect on one’s life and thoughts, a time to grow closer to God and form a deeper relationship. Father Tim knows what it’s like for others to pass judgment on him- after all he is a Catholic Priest, so he knows what a Muslim in America, or a Muslim who may not side with violence and anger, goes through. It is very easy for any person to judge another, very easy, but Father Tim’s very last answer to this questionnaire, was in my opinion one very priceless question “Who can judge another's heart?”

(All photos were use with permission from participants)