Photo By Cpl. Adam Korolev | Gunnery Sergeant Jimi Khamisi speaks to a crowd of service members, their families and...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Service members, their families and civilians attended a Ramadhan service on June 26 at the Hickam Chapel aboard Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
The Islamic holiday of Ramadhan is when Muslims partake in a monthlong fast, to demonstrate they are they are disciplined enough to respect Islam’s ideologies. The ceremony offered Muslims and non-Muslims a chance to commemorate Ramadhan, one of the five pillars of Islam.
Gunnery Sgt. Jimi Khamisi, the staff non-commissioned officer in charge of Marine Wing Support Detachment 24, led the ceremony, which began with prayers in Arabic. He then explained to the audience the conduct of the monthlong holiday. Other service members also spoke of the lunar cycle, and how Ramadhan’s place on the calendar changes every year.
Navy Chief Petty Officer Abdulhalim Jones, a chief radioman stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, said the practice of fasting is a form of repentance during Ramadhan.
“Fasting is what we do during the month of Ramadhan,” said the San Francisco native. “In the Quran, (it) says to fast during this month so we can gain self control, (with) a closer (connection) to God and consciousness. We fast (to be) mindful of necessities and desires, such as food, thirst and our relations with our spouses. Most importantly, though, the focus is on the spiritual connection between us and our Lord.”
Before sunrise, and their first of five prayers throughout the day, Muslims may eat whatever they feel will sustain them until they break their fast. They are encouraged to eat dates and drink water. The fast is then broken as the sun sets, where they are urged to eat just enough to be satisfied until the following morning. After prayers, non-Muslims with questions could speak to Sheik Ismail Elshikh, a guest speaker at the ceremony, the fast was broken at 7:18 p.m. and attendees helped themselves to a buffet.
Along with fasting, other forms of self-restraint are practiced throughout Ramadhan. According to Khamisi, hunger and thirst lead to irritability, and controlling one’s temper is an important practice among Muslims.
“When you fast, you are not supposed to show anger because anger yields bad decisions,” the Oxnard, Calif., native said. “The Prophet advised Muslims to always control their anger.”
Khamisi credits his faith in Allah and his religion’s practices to his success at Marine recruit training. Marines are required to partake in a three-day event, known as the crucible. During the crucible, Marines engage in various individual and team-building exercises, and are given little food and sleep for a total of six hours.
“When I was becoming a Marine during the crucible, I realized I was able to adapt more quickly, due to the fact I had already been in that type of situation due to Ramadhan,” Khamisi said. “As far as being a Marine goes, I think Ramadhan humbles me. I am a gunnery sergeant in the Marine Corps. But at any time, if I am not in control of my own actions, I could end up as a lance corporal, or even get kicked out. It isn’t just (the consumption of) food and water you have to control, but your character. Like the Marine Corps, Ramadhan also requires honor, courage and commitment.”
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.02.2015 21:59 |
| Story ID: | 169019 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HI, US |
| Hometown: | OXNARD, CA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN FRANCISCO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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