The White Falcon - 26.02.1993, Page 8

NEX/MCI will provide
direct access service
All public direct operator access
phones on Naval Air Station,
Keflavfk will switch from AT&T
to NEX/MCI, starting April 1. MCI
signed a contract with the U. S. Navy
in 1992 which gives MCI an exclu-
sive contract to provide all pay
phones and direct access phones
for navy bases world wide.This in-
cludes access phones in BEQ’s and
BOQ’s. Telephones in private resi-
dences will not be affected. NEX/
MCI representatives will hold a
promotion in March to give those
wanting NEX/MCI calling cards a
chance to complete an application.
Call the NEX at ext. 7062 for more
information.
Icebreakers swim team tryouts will be held
tomorrow for youth ages 8 to 18 from 11 a.m.
to 1 p.m at the base pool. Contact LT Cono-
scenti at ext. 4580 for more information.
A KCPOA car wash and lumpia sale will
be tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the
PWD Wash Rack. Sale proceeds will go to
the A.T. Mahan High School Scholarship
Fund. Cost is by donation.
Base Autovon lines will be unoperational for
scheduled maintenance Sunday from mid-
night to 10 a.m.
Elementary school popcorn sale takes place
Tuesday. Cost is $1 per box. Call Suzette at
ext. 6177 for more information.
The PC users’ group meets March 6 at 7:30
p.m. Call Scott Larson at ext. 7356 for more
information.
Conversational Icelandic classes run March
8 through 31. A limited number of students
are allowed, so sign up early. Call the USO at
ext. 6113 to register.
Child find screenings are scheduled for
March 11 through 12. The program identifies
pre-school children who may have devel
mental delays and need early intervene
Make appointments by calling A.T. Mahan
Special Education Office at ext. 6201.
Volunteers are still needed for the PTO Book
Fair, March 27, at the A.T. Mahan Elemen-
tary School. Call Kattie at ext. 2226 for more
information.
A.T. Mahan High School scholarship meet-
ings are now in progress. Last year local
clubs, organizations, and commands provided
$ 15,650 for the students. If any club, organi-
zation or command is interested in providing
scholarships, call Norla Strasbaugh at ext.
7008/2105.
The American Red Cross is recruiting vol-
unteers to process 3rd and 4th class mail. For
more information, call ext. 6210.
NCTS Recreation Committee will hold a
car wash at the PWD Wash Rack March 6
from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Each vehicle will be
vacuumed and windows will be washed.
Lyte Bytes: The month of Ramadan
By Chaplain Dennis W. Young
Editor's note: This article is written to in-
crease your religious knowledge and per-
sonal awareness of Islam - a powerful reli-
gious group originating in seventh century
Arabia and recognized by the U. S. armed
forces.
On February 27, Islam will begin a month
of organized fasting called Ramadan. Fast-
ing is an ancient custom practiced by many
religious groups. While the practice may
differ from religion to religion, all groups
agree fasting is self-preparation for relation-
ship with God. Muhammad was Islam’s
famed prophet and received his first vision
from God during such a time of fasting.
Islam prescribes this annual fast (“Siyam”
in Arabic) for all healthy adults. This fast
requires not eating food, drinking or engag-
ing in sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset
for 30 days. Children and persons suffering
from sickness or undergoing the tremendously
heavy burden of desert travel are excused. In
such cases, the excused person does not
forego the fast but postpones it until a later
time before the next Ramadan.
Islam dedicates the month of Ramadan to
religious pursuits. Besides the fast, Islamic
followers regard moral and religious action
as highly desirable and work to increase their
service to God throughout the month.
Islam prescribes that the fast be broken
promptly at sunset every day before perform-
ing the sunset Salat (prayer service.) In this
way, every day of Ramadan is regarded as a
fresh exercise or test. If it is carried success-
fully to sunset, the day ends with a celebra-
tion. This pattern of fasting and feasting is
repeated daily throughout the period of
Ramadan.
Throughout the Muslim world, Ramadan
is a time of great joy. People uphold the fast,
and it literally changes their lives. No time
better for expressing the social bond unitinj
Muslim to Muslim. At night, Muslim towns
and villages come alive with merrymaking.
Should the festivities get out of hand and
cloud the moral lesson, Islam prescribes a
special Salat to be conducted each night of
Ramadan (“Tarawih”) which includes read-
ing the whole Koran in successive parts dur-
ing the month.
The end of Ramadan is marked by a feast
called “Id A1 Fitr” (Feast of Breaking the
Fast) which Muslims celebrate with a con-
gregational Salat the first morning after
Ramadan. The celebration includes gift
giving, visits with relatives, food and lots of
excitement. New clothing for young and old
is imperative, and the feast celebrates the
moral success of the daily fasting. If the
month of Ramadan has been a success, the
feast is well deserved, and the individual
Muslim feels renewed and ready to under-
take any duty or task.
Undertaking the fast of Ramadan provides
a personal reminder of the poor and hungry of
the earth. To sharpen the lesson, Muslims are
encouraged to feed a neighbor, especially a
poor one, every day of Ramadan. Such ac
of charity emphasize the spirit of givi
neighborly love and kindness which
fundamental to the Islamic belief.

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