New Moon Rising

Yesterday I went to a Muslim shop and in the ante room I saw the shopkeeper 's wife reading the Quran holding her sleeping grandson on her left arm. I photographed her surreptitiously with my cell phone and edited it into a sepia shot.. It seems as if both granny and baby are praying. The baby was fast asleep. Made me smile. This year Ramadan fasting began on August 12th. Below is a description about Ramadan taken from The Telegraph website. (India has a very large Muslim population)

In the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which the first verses of the Qur'an are said to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, participating Muslims refrain from drinking, eating and sexual activities from dawn until sunset.
Fasting is intended to teach Muslims the virtues of patience, humility and spirituality, and is carried out as an offering to God.
In the Qu'ran, Allah proclaims that "fasting has been written down upon you, as it was upon those before you".
Participants rise in the darkness to eat a pre-dawn meal called “sahur”. They must stop eating and drinking before the dawn call to prayer, and must not break their fast until the fourth call to prayer at dusk.
Muslims are expected to start observing the fasting ritual once they reach puberty, as long as they are healthy.
The elderly, the chronically ill and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups are expected to try to feed the poor instead.
People who are travelling long distances do not have to fast – nor do pregnant or breastfeeding women and those who are menstruating.
During Ramadan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance on new problems, and ask for help in refraining from everyday “evils”.
They are expected to perform their religious duties with greater diligence than usual and to reflect on the teachings of Islam.
Participating Muslims are encouraged to try to read the entire Qur’an during the month of Ramadan. They must strive to maintain pure thoughts and avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds.
The holiday of Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, which is called called Shawwal.
When fasting is over, celebrations are held and Muslims go to their mosques in their best clothes to say the first Eid prayer.
Later, they give out presents to children and greet their friends and families. Food is donated to the poor and a feast is held in the evening.

Dear friends thank you so much for your

prayers, caring messages and concern.

God is good. The clouds are parting

and I am receiving the needed help,

counsel and moral support

from strong leaders.

Something I require very much.

Tough decisions and actions

have to be taken but with

godly people on our side

we will ride over this storm.

Sometimes it takes an earthquake to

bring the cracks in the wall

into focus.

Some weeds have to pulled out and

branches pruned,

metaphorically speaking.

So I thank God for the turbulence.

I covet your prayers

for wisdom , strength and discernment.

These days I am also posting entries on a group blog called SISTERS OF THE TRAVELLING SCARF.

An apron has been travelling all over the world and whoever receives it writes about their lives and cooking illustrated with photographs. Miss Apron, as we call her has journeyed through 3 continents and now it is my turn to host her and about my life and cooking.Please do visit us HERE if you are interested in Indian cooking and chat.

Cry....cry I let a little girl use my computer to do her homework and a virus crept in. I wanted to use some pictures saved on it and also scan some pages but I can 't until I get it cleaned up . I am using my laptop , so its not too bad. I regret the extra expense to get the computer fixed up though. Anywhere between $10 -20.