Fasting Around the World

[:en]

As semester 2 is coming to an end , the Islamic calendar has led us to be approaching Ramadan at almost the same time. Our Muslim students may be taking their final tests while fasting so they will have to be motivated and wise in using their time to study and rest.

It is interesting that fasting is often associated with the season of Lent for Christians or the season of Ramadan for Muslims; however, many other cultures and religions around the world fast throughout the year.  While the duration, practice, and specific reasons differ, all fasts have the similar goals of showing sacrifice and cleansing oneself.

Religions and philosophies that practice fasting include: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, Jainism, and Hinduism.  Fasting can last for just a few hours or even a few weeks, usually with practitioners eating at night.  Interestingly, even within a religion, different denominations or sects may fast differently or at different times.  For example, within Christianity there are several different denominations that fast at different times.  Catholics do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent, while Coptic Christians, the main form of Christianity in Egypt, fast for different durations for a total of 210 days throughout the year.  They have eight main fasts and each lasts for a different duration and restricts the diet in a unique way.

Some cultures even fast for non-religious reasons.  The town of Geneva, Switzerland, holds the “Jeune genevois” or “Fast of Geneva”, which is a public holiday and day of fasting in the canton of Geneva occurring in September.  The holiday originated in the Middle Ages, when some days were officially decided to be fasting days as penitence after calamities such as wars, epidemics, or the plague.

Fasting has been around for centuries and will continue to be a regular practice for many cultures in the future.  Remember to be culturally sensitive to those that are fasting in order to prevent your actions from making their practice more difficult.  Try and refrain from eating or drinking in front of someone who is partaking in a fast.

We wish all of our primary students the very best for their final exams , and for the time to be spent with family during our end of year break. We also extend our warm wishes to our Muslim students , teachers and staff for the month of Ramadan and Idul Fitri . Safe travelling for all of us on holiday , and / or to join family . We look forward to seeing you all back for the next academic year safe and sound with a new spirit.[:zh]

As semester 2 is coming to an end , the Islamic calendar has led us to be approaching Ramadan at almost the same time. Our Muslim students may be taking their final tests while fasting so they will have to be motivated and wise in using their time to study and rest.

It is interesting that fasting is often associated with the season of Lent for Christians or the season of Ramadan for Muslims; however, many other cultures and religions around the world fast throughout the year. While the duration, practice, and specific reasons differ, all fasts have the similar goals of showing sacrifice and cleansing oneself.

Religions and philosophies that practice fasting include: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Fasting can last for just a few hours or even a few weeks, usually with practitioners eating at night. Interestingly, even within a religion, different denominations or sects may fast differently or at different times. For example, within Christianity there are several different denominations that fast at different times. Catholics do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent, while Coptic Christians, the main form of Christianity in Egypt, fast for different durations for a total of 210 days throughout the year. They have eight main fasts and each lasts for a different duration and restricts the diet in a unique way.

Some cultures even fast for non-religious reasons. The town of Geneva, Switzerland, holds the “Jeune genevois” or “Fast of Geneva”, which is a public holiday and day of fasting in the canton of Geneva occurring in September. The holiday originated in the Middle Ages, when some days were officially decided to be fasting days as penitence after calamities such as wars, epidemics, or the plague.

Fasting has been around for centuries and will continue to be a regular practice for many cultures in the future. Remember to be culturally sensitive to those that are fasting in order to prevent your actions from making their practice more difficult. Try and refrain from eating or drinking in front of someone who is partaking in a fast.

We wish all of our primary students the very best for their final exams , and for the time to be spent with family during our end of year break. We also extend our warm wishes to our Muslim students , teachers and staff for the month of Ramadan and Idul Fitri . Safe travelling for all of us on holiday , and / or to join family . We look forward to seeing you all back for the next academic year safe and sound with a new spirit.[:id]

As semester 2 is coming to an end , the Islamic calendar has led us to be approaching Ramadan at almost the same time. Our Muslim students may be taking their final tests while fasting so they will have to be motivated and wise in using their time to study and rest.

It is interesting that fasting is often associated with the season of Lent for Christians or the season of Ramadan for Muslims; however, many other cultures and religions around the world fast throughout the year. While the duration, practice, and specific reasons differ, all fasts have the similar goals of showing sacrifice and cleansing oneself.

Religions and philosophies that practice fasting include: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, Jainism, and Hinduism. Fasting can last for just a few hours or even a few weeks, usually with practitioners eating at night. Interestingly, even within a religion, different denominations or sects may fast differently or at different times. For example, within Christianity there are several different denominations that fast at different times. Catholics do not eat meat on Fridays during Lent, while Coptic Christians, the main form of Christianity in Egypt, fast for different durations for a total of 210 days throughout the year. They have eight main fasts and each lasts for a different duration and restricts the diet in a unique way.

Some cultures even fast for non-religious reasons. The town of Geneva, Switzerland, holds the “Jeune genevois” or “Fast of Geneva”, which is a public holiday and day of fasting in the canton of Geneva occurring in September. The holiday originated in the Middle Ages, when some days were officially decided to be fasting days as penitence after calamities such as wars, epidemics, or the plague.

Fasting has been around for centuries and will continue to be a regular practice for many cultures in the future. Remember to be culturally sensitive to those that are fasting in order to prevent your actions from making their practice more difficult. Try and refrain from eating or drinking in front of someone who is partaking in a fast.

We wish all of our primary students the very best for their final exams , and for the time to be spent with family during our end of year break. We also extend our warm wishes to our Muslim students , teachers and staff for the month of Ramadan and Idul Fitri . Safe travelling for all of us on holiday , and / or to join family . We look forward to seeing you all back for the next academic year safe and sound with a new spirit.[:]