PORTLAND, Ore. — For Portland Trail Blazers center, Enes Kanter and millions of other Muslims around the world, today is the first full day of the Islamic Holy month of Ramadan.
For 30 days, those that observe Ramadan fast, which means no eating, drinking or ingesting anything in their body between sunrise and sunset.
"People think that Ramadan is just abstaining from food and drink, but it's more than that," Jawad Khan, a teacher at the Oregon Islamic Academy, said. "Muslims, we fast ... for multiple reasons. One is to learn patience and to learn a little bit more about ourselves."
MORE BLAZERS COVERAGE
It's also about learning empathy towards others.
"We get to break our fast at sunset," Khan said. "There are others that don't get to break their fast. We get to feel what they feel, we get to empathize what they are going through. That softens our heart a little bit."
Khan said that getting into the routine can be tough for some, especially those giving up that morning cup of coffee.
"It takes about a day to get into it," Khan said. "For some people, it might take a little bit longer. ... By the time you get in the fifth [or] sixth day, you're firmly set into that routine and you really begin enjoying it. You like that routine and when it's done, you miss it a lot."
Kanter, a devout Muslim, observes Ramadan every year. He already fasts once or twice a week, except this time he'll be playing in an NBA game during the month of Ramadan, something he has never done before.
"Ramadan is the time to unite, break bread together, get closer and learn from each other as families and communities from all walks of life," Kanter wrote on Twitter. "Muslims, Christians, Jews, any other believers, nonbelievers are all welcomed in spirits of Ramadan. I love you all."
Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said Monday during a conference call that he supports Kanter and isn't worried about what impact it will have on him during the game.
"The only conversation I had with [Kanter], was I asked him when [Ramadan] was, but I didn't necessarily ask him what he was going do about it because obviously he's done this before," Stotts said. "Hakeem Olajuwon was pretty good during Ramadan, so I think he'll be alright," Stotts said.
Holly Morello, a nutritional therapy practitioner in Southwest Portland, said Kanter's past observances of Ramadan and his current diet regimen should serve him well.
"He gets to replenish his stores then, and he already has really good nutrition, and he's been used to doing this for a lot of years, so I think he's going to be game on, he's going to probably perform better than he usually does," Morello said.
Sunrise for Tuesday, May 7 in Denver is 5:54 a.m. and sunset is at 8 p.m. Game 5 starts at 8:30 p.m. MDT.
3-on-3 Blazers podcast
Listen to the most recent edition of the 3-on-3 Blazers podcast
- on Apple podcasts/iTunes
- on Podbean
- on SoundCloud
- on Stitcher
- on Google Play