Meaning of Ramadan: To the Islamic Faith

The link for my final paper is here.

Peer Outlines

The three students I talked with discussing their outlines are as follows:

Joseph R.
Justine B.
Janvier B.

Bibliography

About Eid. The Eid, 2008. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <http://theeid.com/abouteid/>.

Importance of Ramadan. The Eid, 2008.  Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <http://theeid.com/

ramadan/importance-of-ramadan.html>.

Information About Ramadan in Dubai. Club Air Travel, 2012.  Web. 14 Apr. 2012. < http://www.clubairtravel.co.uk/holidays/dubai/ramadan.aspx>.

Islam/Muslim: History and Beliefs of Islamic Relgion. On Truth and Reality, 2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <http://www.spaceandmotion.com/religion-islam-muslim-islamic-quran.htm>.

Kamara, Meme. Personal Interview. 26 Mar. 2012.

Murray, Julie. Ramadan. Edina: ABDO, 2012. Print.

Reem. “Pillars of Islam.” Inside Islam 22 Dec. 2011: n. page. Web. 14 Apr. 2012.

Robinson. Islam: The Second Largest Religion… And Growing. Religious Tolerance, 21 Mar. 2012. Web. 14. Apr. 2012. <http://www.religioustolerance.org/islam.

htm>.

The History of Ramadan. The Holiday Spot. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <http://www.the

holidayspot.com/ramadan/history_of_ramadan.htm>.

The Islamic Calendar. Calendars Through the Ages, 2008. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. < http://www.webexhibits.org/calendars/calendar-islamic.html>.

Thiaw, Bucca. Personal Interview. 31 Mar. 2012.

Toure, Mohamed. Personal Interview. 14 Mar. 2012.

Why Sacrifice?. Young Muslims. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. <http://web.youngmuslims.ca/

online_library/books/sacrifice_the_making_of_a_muslim/why_sacrifice.htm>.

Final Paper Outline

Topic/Title: 

Islamic Ramadan Traditions

Outline:

Introduction

       According to the Religious Tolerance Group, 23% of people on Earth are Islamic. It is the second most followed religion, and growing at a substantial rate. After interviewing three West Africans, the Islamic religion has been a growing interest of mine, especially the practice of Ramadan. In this paper I’ll attempt to detail the philosophy and beliefs of Islam, search the history and name the importance of Ramadan, and conclude with current traditions of Ramadan in today’s society with an emphasis in West Africa.

Body

                   1.     Islamic Religion

a.     History of Islam

                                                  i.     Islamic Calendar

b.     Philosophy of Religion (Description)

                                                  i.     Islamic Law

                                                 ii.     Muslim Beliefs

                                               iii.     The Five Pillars of Islam

c.      Saum Ramadan: The third Pillar

                   2.     Ramadan

a.     History of Raman

                                                 i.     Origin of Ramadan

                                                ii.     Muhammad

                                              iii.     Qur’an

b.     Importance of Ramadan

                                               i.     Reasons for the fast/Sacrifice

                                              ii.     Beliefs of the Muslims regarding Ramadan

c.      Ramadan Celebrations

                                               i.     Eid ul-Fitr

                                              ii.     Eid al-Adha

                   3.     Ramadan Celebrations Today

a.     Date of Ramadan 2012

b.     Traditions of Ramadan

                                               i.     Prayer

                                              ii.     Feasts with Families

c.      Ramadan Celebrations in West Africa

Conclusion 

     
       After careful examination of Islam in Muslim culture, it becomes pretty eminent just how important the annual celebration of Ramadan is and why.  In Arabic Islam refers to the serenity that is created by submission. Therefore, in order to become a good Muslim, one must be involved in the struggle that requires sacrifice during submission. Ramadan is celebrated around the world by millions of people, each culture only slightly varying. I found it very enlightening that fasting during Ramadan is meant to cultivate a higher sense of spirituality in the believer that is supposed to help them lead upright lives throughout the rest of the year. As a Christian I celebrate Lent, which has a fasting quality; but not to the same extent by far! What do you think; is this something that you could use to uplift you yearlong? 

Final Paper

Topic: Muslim sacrifice during Ramadan in West Africa.
Title: Muslim Sacrifice During Ramadan

My final paper will be about the traditional sacrifice of an animal during the religious Muslim holiday of Ramadan as it pertains to Western Africa. I plan to start the paper off by explaining a little of what it means to be Muslim. From there I will go into the meaning of Ramadan, and what the sacrifice means during the holiday. Next I plan on researching the history of Ramadan and the sacrifice, and see how different traditions first started. Finally, I will talk about current sacrificial traditions during Ramadan in Western Africa.

Outline:

1. Introduction

2. Brief Explanation of Muslim Religion

3. Meaning of Ramadan and the Sacrifice

4. History of Ramadan and the Sacrifice

5. Current Sacrificial Traditions

6. Conclusion

Interview 3 Rankings

I could not get the table from google docs to copy and so excuse this long post!

1.   3  2  2  3  5  15
2.   3  2  2  4  5  16
3.   3  2  2  4  5  17
4.   3  1  2  3  6  15
5.   3  2  2  4  5  16
6.   3  1  3  4  6  17
7.   3  1  1  5  6  16
8.   3  2  3  5  6  19
9.   2  2  1  5  5  15
10. 2  2  1  4  5  14
11. 3  2  2  5  5  17
12. 3  2  4  4  5  18
13. 3  2  1  4  6  16
14. 3  2  1  3  5  14
15. 3  2  2  5  5  17
16. 0  0  0  0  0  0
17. 3  2  2  5  5  17
18. 0  0  0  0  0  0
19. -  -  -  -  -  -  -
20. 3  2  4  5  6  20
21. 3  2  2  5  6  18
22. 3  2  2  4  5  16
23. 3  2  3  4  5  17
24. 3  2  2  3  5  15
25. 2  2  1  4  5  14
27. 0  0  0  0  0  0

Top 3:
Nicholas S.
Tiffany S.
Wenting C.

Using Quotes Correctly

Senegal is a french speaking country located in West Africa [1]. The country borders the North Atlantic ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauitania [2]. The country is slightly smaller than the state of South Dakota [3]. Typically they have two climate seasons throughout the year. "A tropical; hot, humid; rainy season lasting from May to November. Also a dry season lasting from December through April dominated by hot, dry, harmattan winds" [4]. The country is made of mostly of low, rolling plains that rise to foothills in the southeast region of the country [5]. Their biggest natural resources are fish, phosphates, and iron ore [6]. 

Sources

[1] http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2862.htm Visited 4/9/12 at 3:27 P.M. 
[2] https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sg.html Visted 4/9/12 at 3:29 P.M. 
[3] ibid [2] https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sg.html
[4] ibid [2] https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sg.html
[5] http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107951.html Visited 4/9/12 at 3:31 P.M. 
[6] ibid [2] https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sg.html