The photos are of random thoughts. We have about 80 days until we board a plane destined to the United States. In between our preparations and work we reflect on people and places in Azerbaijan or on our life when we return.
The first photo is of our neighbor girls when they brought to me a birthday cake. We will certainly miss the fine neighbors and will never forget them. As we reflect on the many people who have had us in their homes as in the second photo.
No matter what country, the children are always lovely, but I don’t know why the child is so scared in the fourth picture.
Finally, there is a repeat picture of the bus that goes from Shirvan to Salyan. How far we have come in these 23 months. That bus was so significant because it was our first journey outside our site community all by ourselves. We were really traveling in Azerbaijan. Now, we have been from one end to the other, north to south, east to west, and 2 other countries, Georgia and Turkey. I will say again, do not be deceived the bus is not nearly as nice on the inside as it is on the outside!
This week my counterpart, Alma, posted a video on Youtube. IREX (Information and Research Exchange) funded by USAID has training concerning using Youtube, Facebook, and other such sites as potential means of publishing the news and events of a local area. It is a great use more than just funny videos. Alma has scheduled several presentations in the library on Citizenship Journalism. So, this week she said what Linda does in the courtyard is news for our community. Visit below and comment!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJAQTdFHkl4
We are in the midst of Ramadan (Ramazan) and below is information provided by our Language and Culture Coordinator concerning Ramazan.
Ramadan, (Ramazan), the Holy holiday (this year it will begin on the 10th or 11th of August)
Millions of Muslims across the world begin fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. In Azerbaijan, you will note that not everyone fasts and prays during Ramadan. More religious families will fast, while others will not. Some Azerbaijanis will join in on the end of Ramadan celebrations, in order to spend time with family and friends.
Ramadan was the month in which the first verses of the Qur’an were claimed to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) fasted during this month and directed his followers to do the same. Ramadan is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and sexual relations from dawn until sunset. (Exceptions are made for young children, those who are sick, pregnant or traveling). Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and spirituality. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God and to offer more prayer than usual. Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives; it is time of worship and contemplation.
With respect to the solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving forward about ten days each year. Fasting starts in Ramadan from the day when new moon is seen and continues 29- 30 days. Koran says: “Eat and drink till it gets light.” At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called iftar, usually each day ends with feasts and visits to friends and family.
Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involved the preparing of special foods and inviting people for the iftar meal.
What we have observed here in our community is that not many people fast. If you are young, old, sick, working, pregnant, or at risk, the Qur’an states you are excused from fasting. In fact the only difference we see during Ramazan is that there is an increase in begging much like our charitable giving during the Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays.
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