Muslims show renewed interest in their beliefs

Stronger commitment seen during Ramadan

February 22, 1996
Web posted at: 4:00 p.m. EST

From Bureau Chief Gayle Young

CAIRO, Egypt (CNN) -- In Cairo, a cannon fired at dusk signaled the beginning of the festival of Eid al-Fitr and the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. During that time, most of the world's 1.2 billion Muslims abstain from food, drink, cigarettes and sexual activity during daylight hours. The fast is broken with a meal called Iftar.

The rich and famous share the same hardships during Ramadan as the poor and forgotten. Each suffers deprivation and the acute realization of what it is to be a Muslim. At the end of the fasting month, the wealthy traditionally prepare elaborate feasts for the needy.

It is this bonding of the Islamic community that the prophet Mohammed said he was seeking when he declared Ramadan as one of the five pillars of Islam. It's a time to improve your shortcomings and remember the less fortunate, said a Kuwaiti Muslim. (204K AIFF sound or 204K WAV sound)

"A Muslim Christmas"

Like many aspects of Islam, Ramadan seems to have become increasingly important to Muslims in recent years. Scholars say there is a resurgence of the faith, the second largest and fastest growing religion in the world.

Ramadan is also being celebrated in more countries and with more vigor than in previous decades.

"It is becoming like a Muslim Christmas," said Saad Eddin Ibrahim, a social researcher in Egypt who believes Muslims are taking their religion more seriously.

For example, Sarajevo Muslims, many of whom had only a smattering of religious identity before the Bosnian war, observed the holiday in increasing numbers.

In Indonesia -- with the largest Muslim population in the world -- restaurants covered their windows during the holy month to prevent any temptation to break the fast.

There is also change in Egypt. Only a few years ago restaurants served alcohol during Ramadan. Now the government bans the sale of liquor to Egyptians throughout the month.

And in Israel, young Palestinians wake their neighbors before dawn so they have an opportunity to eat and drink before sunrise. The wake-up call, usually the job of older men, is taken on willingly by the young as they increasingly embrace old traditions.

Western converts

Muslims say renewed interest in their religion is perhaps a reaction to an increasingly westernized, materialistic world.

Most Islamic countries have been inundated with consumer goods and information from cultures very different from their own. While most innovations are welcome, many Muslims fear a loss of their identity, said Ibrahim. "People dig back in their heritage ... to assert what makes them unique."

At the same time, Muslim immigrants are moving to traditionally Christian countries, including the United States. Carrying their beliefs with them, the new arrivals encourage converts, especially among African Americans, many of whom are attracted to the link between Islam and Africa.

People are not identified by their skin color, said a black Muslim interviewed at a mosque in the United States. "In Islam there is no race."

Increasingly, the religion is becoming an important political and social factor throughout the world, a trend that may be alarming to some westerners who equate the Islamic religion with the violent acts of extremists groups.

Many Muslims are trying to combat such negative images, hoping non-Muslims will view their religion as they do: Strict, but with compassion; Strong, but with peaceful intent.

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