November 26, 2009 is Thanksgiving in the United States. Today is extra special for American Muslims. In addition to being a day of added reflection and thanks, particular with our friends and neighbors from the broader community, today is also the Day of Arafat, the ritual in the annual Hajj (pilgrimmage to Mecca) when Muslims worldwide fast and reflect and ask for forgiveness and thank God for all his bounties. And tomorrow, day two of a 4 day Thanksgiving holiday, Muslims in America, in Mecca and all over the world will begin the second of Islam's two religious holidays - Eid al Adha.
Eid Mubarak, Hajj Mubarak and Happy Thanksgiving!
Dr. Hesham Hassaballa very eloquently reflected on the juxtapositioning of these important days this year. His essay at AltMuslim.com relates his own memory of performing the Hajj, his time on the plains of Arafat begging for God's mercy and the emotions of gratitude to God.
Dr. Hassaballa's AltMuslim.com essay also suggests a twist to the tradition feasting that takes place on Thanksgiving. He suggests:
Moreover, many Muslims will this day be fasting the daylight hours in solidarity with those blessed to be on the Hajj. Although Thanksgiving is most thought of as a feast: it is more fitting for it to be a fast. Even though, thankfully, the day is short and the sun will set early, as Muslims deprive themselves of food and drink, they are reminded of the countless people across the globe who forgo food and drink not out of choice, but out of dire deprivation. And that includes people who reside in this very country, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently reported. Therefore, we should be doubly motivated to help those who are less fortunate. If one is to be truly thankful for the bounties bestowed, then she should do all she can to help those in need.
Perhaps this can be tradition that American Muslims bring to Thanksgiving heretofore. Just as Islam has adapted to the multitude of cultures across the globe over the past 1400 years it is doing the same in the United States as well. Perhaps fasting in the daylight hours according to the Islamic rules of fasting with a traditional thanksgiving meal (with its welcomed fusion with some ethnic elements from time to time) after sunset? I think its a good idea!
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