Inconsistencies in article need fixing

Firstly, I would like to congratulate the Exponent on writing a very enlightening and educational article about the Muslim observance of fasting during the month of Ramadhan ("Muslims face difficulties in Ramadhan," Jon Gilman). It was certainly an eye-opener for many, I'm sure. Even so, there were some inconsistencies that a Muslim might consider embarrassing:

"November was the month that Mohammed, the final prophet of Islam, received the first of the Koran's revelations from Allah." Actually, the month that the article alluded to is the month of Ramadhan, the Ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. Unlike the Gregorian solar calendar, dates on lunar calendars go back 11 days every solar year (it just so happens that Ramadhan occurs in November this year). For those who do not yet know, many other cultures (like the Jews and the Chinese) also use lunar calendars.

"The end of Ramadhan, called Eid, is a time for Muslims to come together and break their fasting." Muslims fast during the days of Ramadhan and break their fasts at sunset on each day. The start of the next month in the Muslim calendar, called Syawal, is actually the Eid (literally feast or festival) mentioned in the article. This is a festive occasion because it marks the return to normalcy in terms of the practicing Muslim's eating of regular meals.

All in all, it is certainly a welcome sight to come across such an article as this one.

Fahmi Fadzil

Junior, Schools of Engineering

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