Ramadan

HCS/245 » Introduction to Health and Disease

Kerri Simko

Ismael Caicedo

September 2, 2014

There are approximately 6 million to 7 million Muslims in the US whose exclusive food traditions are guided by religious beliefs and formed by cultural differences. When it comes to perceiving the real aspect of these traditions, many doctors are in the dark, which creates a wall to reaching out to this area of the population. By Islamic belief, per the Qur’an, all foods are considered halal, except for pork and anything made from pork, any animal not slaughtered in the name of Allah, carnivorous animals, birds of prey, animals without external ears, blood, alcohol, and foods tainted with any of these.

Muslims are apprehensive about what is in their food, compelling them to be skilled readers of ingredient lists. Food components that come from multiple foundations, such as gelatin, and enzymes, require the Muslim consumer to do some examination to confirm whether they are halal. Many Muslims choose to eat halal products only, available in either ethnic stores, restaurants, and occasionally in an everyday grocery store. Foods mentioned in the Qur’an, the Holy Book of Islam, are of great value, and many eating lifestyles are obtained from the practice of the Prophet Mohammad. Olives, honey, yogurt, dates, figs, and legumes are the most mentioned. Not only are they of interest religiously to Muslims, but their health value is also a plus

Ramadan occurs is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, based on the cycle of the moon, which is made up of 12 months of 29 or 30 days each. Ramadan is the time in which the Qur’an was discovered. Ramadan is a time for fasting for Muslims staying away from all foods and beverages, as well as any type of medication, from dawn to sunset. The two main meals of the day through Ramadan are the Suhur, which is immediately before sunrise, and Iftar, which is immediately after sunset. These times of...