MUSLIM VILLA - QURAN ONLY

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Reaching out to single Muslims in the blessed month of Ramadan.

It was extremely considerate of Sound Vision to put up plenty of contents on reaching out to single Muslims in the Ramadan of 2015.  That's a bit unusual.  Most of our Islamic community centers are soley focused on families and gatherings that often leaves our single sisters and brothers feeling the odd ones out.  Single brothers are usually quick enough to find buddies in masjids and community centers, but it's a lot harder for single sisters.

The following is a useful and comforting piece taken from Sound Vision out of a bigger bunch of contents.  Hope our readers enjoy it and find it helpful.



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By Sound Vision staff writer
(The article has been abbreviated a little for readers' convenience)

Whether they are alone due to circumstance or choice, we need to make sure that single Muslims do not become isolated. This doesn’t only lead to loneliness. It can also affect a person’s faith. This is why it is imperative to reach out to single Muslims respectfully and consistently, especially in Ramadan, a time known for family togetherness and communal spirit.

For most Muslims, Ramadan is family time. You get up together, eat Iftar together, pray together, etc. But what if you don't have your family near you?

Waking up in a lonely apartment and eating food you've sometimes burnt in an effort to catch Suhur in time are some of the realities of being a single Muslim in Ramadan. But there are ways to make Ramadan special when you're on your own. Here are a few ideas.

Get a couple of friends together and establish a telephone tree to wake each other up for Suhur. Establish a time to call and a schedule of who will call whom.

Choose healthy, easy-to-make recipes so you're not scrambling at the last minute for something to eat.

Invite people over for Iftar. Make it a potluck, order pizza or if you can afford it, get it catered. The food isn't the thing. The blessing is in the company, and you'll be rewarded for feeding everyone. Make sure to especially invite those who are away from their families.

Even if the Imam's recitation isn't the best and the behavior of other Muslims can be more than annoying, try to attend Tarawih prayers organized by your local mosque.  While praying alone in peace and quiet is great, praying shoulder-to-shoulder with other Muslims with whom you have nothing in common except your faith is a unique and uplifting experience.

It may seem hard to squeeze in time for anything else in Ramadan, but try, at least once, to do some volunteer work. Volunteer for a day at a soup kitchen; help make or distribute flyers for a Ramadan program; make Ramadan Mubarak candy bags for the kids at your local mosque. The possibilities are numerous. The point is to give to others so you can get back what's priceless.

It's often tempting to keep the TV or radio on when we're alone at home to avoid the silence. This Ramadan, find a CD of a Quran reciter you like and play it during those moments when you want to fill your place with some sound. Choose selections you'd like to memorize, like the 30th part of the Quran.

Send Ramadan e-cards, thoughts, reflections, questions, etc. via phone or email to family and friends. Keep in contact at least once a week.

Add a festive look to your home by dressing the place up with a Ramadan banner, balloons and streamers. Even after a rough day, coming home to a decorated home is a boost to the spirits.

Choose a goal to pursue in Ramadan. Whether it's curbing a bad habit or starting a good one, doing this will help you focus and work harder to change for the better. It takes 21 days to establish a good habit. With Ramadan, we've got 30. Why not make the best of it by picking up the good?