VIEW VIEWPOINT
Ramadan
Kerby Anderson
Ramadan begins today. It is a holy month of fasting for Muslims. But you may have also noticed that Ramadan seems to be a time of increased attacks on infidels. Every year the death toll runs into the hundreds. I fear this year the statistics will also be grim.
At first this seems like a contradiction. Ramadan occurs during the ninth lunar month in the Islamic calendar. It is time when Muslims fast from their first prayer of the day (at dawn) to their fourth prayer (after sunset). They also refrain from other activities and focus their minds on fervent prayer. Ramadan is a holy month, so why all the violence?
One of my regular guests on radio is Dr. Jim Denison. He explains that Muslims believe they will receive greater rewards during this month on the Islamic calendar. Muhammad himself actually preached a sermon on Ramadan in which he said, “Whoever performs an obligatory deed in [this month] shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time.”
One Taliban spokesman therefore proclaimed, “Our fight is Jihad and an obligatory worship. And every obligatory act of worship has 70 times more reward in Ramadan.” I guess it’s not surprising that jihadists use this month to maximize their rewards.
Each attack is different. A gunman stormed a casino in Manila. Attackers killed more than two-dozen Coptic Christians traveling on a bus in Egypt. A bombing in Baghdad killed a dozen and injured nearly 100. A suicide vehicle in Kabul destroyed parts of the German embassy and killed many. And attackers in London drove over pedestrians and then stabbed others after leaving the vehicle.
Ramadan begins today. Let us pray that it will end without the usual violence that has been part of it in the past. 
Listen to this Viewpoint
Viewpoints
View All
Intelligence Gathering
Kerby AndersonOver the last month, we have been talking about China. When talking about China, we usually talk about its strengths and technological developments. But there is another side to intellig...
Freedom’s Foundations
Kerby Anderson Freedom in this country depends upon three important foundations: morality, limits, and human rights. First, freedom depends on morality. John Adams observed, “Our constitution was made...
Raise Tax Rates?
Kerby Anderson With estimates that the federal deficit will increase this year, we are once again hearing comments about making the “rich pay their fair share.” Even if we set aside the moral argument...
Take Action
View All
Support the Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act
The abortion pill harms women and kills unborn children. Congress must act.
Contact Congress About the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025
Congress needs to get the job done, not run away from work.
