Last week marked the beginning of Ramadan, the holy month when Muslims the world over abstain from food, drink, and other sensual pleasures from dawn until dusk. On the surface, forgoing food and drink is an exercise in restraint. Yet, on the contrary, the fast of Ramadan is all about human freedom. It is a declaration of independence, if you will, from those worldly things that can enslave the believer during everyday life.
(Hesham A. Hassaballa is a physician in the greater Chicago area. He is co-author of “The Beliefnet Guide to Islam,” published by Doubleday. His Web site is at http://www.drhassaballa.com.)
