by Chanel Hill
The Philadelphia Tribune
The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) will host “Sharing Ramadan” events that offer opportunities for people of all faiths to experience the Muslim month of fasting.
CAIR is a non-profit grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. Since its inception in 1994, CAIR is among America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, with regional offices nationwide. CAIR’s mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
“Ramadan is a blessed time for Muslims to not only strengthen our faith through fasting, but it provides an opportunity to help others in the larger community by feeding those in need and distributing prescribed charity,” said chairperson the CAIR PA Board of Directors and a member of the CAIR PA Philadelphia Chapter Executive Committee Iftekar Hussain. “I encourage Muslims, Jews and Christians to reach out to each other during this period of the year.
“As some in the Muslim community have already observed, it is imperative that these three communities begin to create bonds of genuine relationships. The religious traditions of these three communities allow for such a possibility and the history of interaction between these three communities provides a precedence for movement in such a direction.
Established in 2007, the goal of “Sharing Ramadan” is to allow American Muslims to share and celebrate the importance of the month of Ramadan with people of all faiths. During “Sharing Ramadan,” American Muslims have open houses, where they invite friends and family to their homes and mosques to share meals together.
Ramadan is the month on the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from break of dawn to sunset, ending their fasts with a meal after sunset prayers.
The fast is performed to exercise discipline, self-restraint and generosity, while obeying God’s commandments. Fasting (along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the “five pillars” of Islam. The end of Ramadan is marked by communal prayers called “Eid ul-Fitr,” or Feast of the Fast-Breaking.
“’Sharing Ramadan’ is a program of ours that has really been successful since its inception,” Hussain said. “This program also helps dispel a number of myths that still exist in the public mind. We encourage people of all faiths to visit a local mosque in the neighborhood. During their visits, they will really get to see what Ramadan is about. Visitors will see how Muslims pray, break their fast, and participate in the community meals.
“We’re hoping that people will visit and get to know their Muslim neighbors in an environment where they are practicing what is a very important part of their yearly lives. I’m asking everyone to begin to explore your own ways of connecting with your neighbors and friends and honoring them during this period.”
