Imam Lushta: Ramadan is a time for messages of peace to believers, but also to other neighbors in Kosovo

The holiest month of the Islamic faith, Ramadan, began today with the appearance of the new moon in March. The head imam of the Islamic community in South Mitrovica, Rexhep Lushta, spoke for Kosovo Online about the importance of the blessings of fasting and the messages of peace for Ramadan.

For all Muslims of Kosovo, Serbia, and the world, Ramadan represents the most important period in the religious calendar and one of the five pillars of Islam. The annual observance of Ramadan is a reminder of Muhammad's first revelation.

"The month of Ramadan for believers is a month of piety, a month of mutual rapprochement, a month of generosity and love. This year, the month lasts 30 days, because the month of Ramadan, like all other lunar months, lasts either 29 or 30 days," Lushta said.

This fast implies spiritual and physical cleansing, therefore, abstaining from bad habits and thoughts. Farz, or abstinence, lasts from dawn to sunset, when food and drink are prohibited. Exceptions are for pregnant women, the sick, and the elderly.

"Every believer needs God, just as we need food and drink to maintain our physical or material body, the soul also needs to be nourished by God's peace. As for the believers in this month of Ramadan, it is evident that mosques are more visited than usual. This means that in this month Allah has made it easier for believers to worship because prayers and fasting are part of worshiping God," Lushta said.

The faithful meet after the evening prayer for iftar, a traditional gathering of family or friends when they taste their first sips of water. On tables throughout Kosovo, so-called “mantije”, flia, dates, various cakes, and national dishes are most often served. Tomorrow's continuation of fasting begins with the first rays of the sun, before which the pre-dawn meal, suhur. During the daily fast, believers are focused on prayers and abstaining from bad emotions and actions.

"We always hope that the month of Ramadan will not only be a month of abstaining from food and drink but that it will be a month of purification of the interior of each of us. In the purification of the interior of our soul, we become a little better, a little closer, and normally more positive in all spheres of life," Lushta says.

It is believed that charity is multiplied in this month and believers become dear to Allah in this way.

For such reasons, it is not unusual for Muslims to "thawab" each other, give gifts and feed the poor and sick.

In the past years, a soup kitchen was organized in the square of South Mitrovica for these reasons.

This year, that charity will be done by the Islamic community in South Mitrovica and they will provide over 200 meals a day.

"The beginning of Ramadan is mercy, the middle of Ramadan is forgiveness and the end of Ramadan is God's amnesty from hellfire. This God's mercy is also seen in practice because the believers are a little more focused on God and participate more in prayers. We see believers praying more in this month, that they are a little more pious, they are more generous and kind," the head imam concludes.

In the end, Rexhep Lushta sent a message of peace to all believers, but also to other fellow citizens and neighbors in Kosovo.

"Our message for this month of Ramadan, not only for Muslims, but also for all other people, especially for the residents of Mitrovica and Kosovo, is to get closer to each other, to have understanding and cooperation, but also to respect each other more. I think this post should also influence the fact that we all think about peace with ourselves, God, and the people around us," he said.

One of the indications that the Ramadan fast has begun is the sale of buns, which fellow citizens call "Ramazanka" (Ramadan bun).

In North Mitrovica, they are one of the best-selling products in that period, because citizens of other religions also enjoy them.