Islam is a beautiful religion.  One of its most wonderful aspects, for me, is the Call to Prayer.  I’ve heard it in in Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Turkey, and the West Bank.  Even for a Christian, it has a calming, centering effect.

I am completely remiss in not posting this last Sunday, when the holy month of Ramadan officially began.  In the Islamic tradition, the month of Ramadan marks the month the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhamed.  Ramadan is also the time when the doors of Paradise are open and the doors of Hell are closed, with the devils within chained up.

To all of my Muslim readers: Ramadan Mubarak.  Kul ‘am wa enta bi-khair.