Comments on: Abrahamic Convergence

By: Devan

Devan — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:34:57 +0000

Not only did this holiday coincide with the Jain ‘Paryushan’ and (almost) with Samvatsari, it also has some similarities- on Samvatsari, Jains ask for forgiveness from people: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samvatsari

By: Nikol

Nikol — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:58:31 +0000

That’s all fine. What, however, do you think about Obadiah Shoher’s criticism pf Rosh Hashanah as aholiday that has nothing to do with New Year? Here, for example http://samsonblinded.org/blog/petty-paganism.htm

By: DR1001

DR1001 — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 18:56:58 +0000

I had the term rhamadan kareem coined to me by a colluauge in Saudi Arabia in an email so it seems to be widely used over there.

i had to also look it up.

It just amazes me how closely muslims and Jews are in their holidays and if you compare lifestyle/dress of the orthodox jews how that resembles the observant muslims oing about their everyday life (covering up of the women, separation of men, women at weddings etc)and yet sadly there is this big massive distrust. obviously the fanatics on either side want it this way in the middle east.....

Just glad to see it possible to break this sometimes.

Now better go make some samosa's and pakora's to take to an iftar party....

By: chachaji

chachaji — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 04:39:43 +0000

I just did a web search, and not only are there lots of 'Ramadan Mubarak's out there, but 'Ramadan Kareem' is used as a greeting. In this case, 'Kareem' may convey a sense closer to 'blessed'. 'kareem' is an adjective derived from 'karam', which usually means 'benevolence'.

All this said, I'm not an expert on Arabic, barely know some Urdu!

Ramadan Kareem!

By: chachaji

chachaji — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 04:19:11 +0000

I think 'kareem' conveys the approximate sense of 'holy'. You don't just say 'Ramadan', you say 'Holy Ramadan', sort of like you would say 'Holy Week', the last week of Lent.

By: Floridian

Floridian — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 03:31:33 +0000

12: Chachaji, "Normally, I've never heard anyone say 'Ramadan Mubarak',"

I was watching Star Voice of India an hour ago and it had RAMDAAN KAREEM on the screen. Can someone explain the word, Kareem? Chachaji?

By: desigurl

desigurl — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:34:40 +0000

It’s okay to say “Ramadan Mubarak” It’s just a simple gesture, no biggie. My Muslim friends and I say it to each other all the time.

By: Kurma

Kurma — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:21:07 +0000

I’ve heard a few “Happy Good Friday”s in India. Of course, never did I see a Christian take offense at that because most people around would have already embarrassed the “country” greeter by laughing in his face.

By: MoorNam

MoorNam — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:52:09 +0000

This Ramadan happily coincides with the start of the Jewish High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah,

The Bash of the Civilisations?

M. Nam

By: piling on the religious holidays

piling on the religious holidays — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:01:57 +0000

jains are also currently in their fasting period of Paryushan.. FYI