(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 6/3/19) – On or about Tuesday, June 4*, the Muslim community in America will celebrate the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan with communal prayers and festivities around the country.
[NOTE: 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. *Because dates may vary, consult local mosques or Muslim community leaders for exact dates and times of Eid ul-Fitr activities. In 2019, this is expected to happen on Tuesday, June 4 or Wednesday, June 5.]
The prayers mark the beginning of the Eid ul-Fitr (EED-al-FITTER), or “feast of fast breaking” holiday, in which Muslims exchange social visits and seek to strengthen family and community bonds. During this holiday, Muslims greet each other by saying “Eid mubarak” (EED-moo-BAR-ak), meaning “blessed Eid.” Many communities also hold multicultural bazaars and other family activities following the prayers or during the weekend when the Eid day falls on a workday.
Eid ul-Fitr is the first of the two major Muslim holidays. The second holiday, Eid ul-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), comes near the end of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 4 (Consult local mosques for exact dates and times) Prayers are held early in the morning. Ask local prayer coordinators for exact dates, times and locations.
WHERE: The Eid prayers are held either in local mosques or in public facilities designed to accommodate large gatherings. See a list of local celebrations below.
Earlier today, CAIR-Philadelphia sent the Muslim community an advisory and an editable accommodation letter parents can use to request absence of their children on the Eid date.
The advisory also included the information that in the School District of Philadelphia, Eid was adopted as an official holiday in 2016. This is the result of the work of the leadership of the Philadelphia Eid Coalition, including CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Committee Government Relations Chair Salima Suswell. The 2019-2020 school calendar already reflects the Eid holiday.
In 2019, the Coalition worked with the school district and all principals received guidance to make accommodations for those students celebrating Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday, June 4, the last day of school. Teachers and staff celebrating on this day can use personal days or request leave for 1/3 pay after providing a letter from their faith institution.
Going forward, any Eid date that falls on a school day will be recognized on the calendar and School District of Philadelphia schools and administrative offices will be closed.
GREATER DELAWARE VALLEY AREA CELEBRATIONS:
- Philadelphia Eid in the Park – Tuesday, June 4. A gathering of 8 mosques will be held at Cricket Field on South Concourse Drive, across from the Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA. Please Touch Museum will be free on this day in honor of the Eid. Gathering will begin at 8:30 AM; Prayer will begin at 9:30 AM. Sermon delivered by Dr. Tahir Wyatt will immediately follow Prayer; Festivities will begin at 11:00 AM.
- Masjid Al-Falah, Philadelphia – Tuesday, June 4. Eid prayers will be held at 9:00 AM in Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park (1500 Pattison Avenue and South Broad Street, Philadelphia PA, 19145, Site #4 & #5).
- Masjidullah & Philadelphia Masjid – Wednesday, June 5. Eid prayer & celebration will be Wednesday June 5th, 2019. Gathering starts and 8:00 AM at 4700 Wyalusing Ave. and prayer at 9:00 AM.
- Muslim Association of Lehigh Valley (MALV) – Tuesday , June 4. There will be two prayers at 7:30 am and 9:30 am with gatherings starting at 7:00 am and 9:00 am respectively.
- Islamic Society of Delaware: Tuesday , June 4 – There will be three prayers at 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM at 28 Salem Church Road Newark, DE 19713.
- Harrisburg – Central Pennsylvania Committee of Masajid (CPCOM) – Tuesday, June 4- A number of mosques are holding a joint gathering at Farmshow Complex starting at 9:00 AM; prayers at 9:30 AM.
- Islamic Community Center of Lancaster (ICCL) – Tuesday, June 4 . The Eid celebrations will take place at Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square Convention Center. Gathering starts at 8:00 AM and prayer starts at 9:00 AM.
- Islamic Cultural Center of Willow Grove – Tuesday, June 4. Gathering will start at 8:00 AM. Eid prayer will begin at 8:30 AM. Following the prayer and the sermon, there will be a community breakfast, as well as treats and activities for children (including gift giveaway and bounce castle!).
- Muslim Youth Center of Philadelphia (MYCP) – Tuesday, June 4. Gathering will begin at 8:30 AM. Eid prayer will begin at 9:00 AM. Following the prayer and sermon, the mosque will serve refreshments, as well as treats and activities for children (including bounce castle and petting zoo!)
- AICP Philadelphia – June 4th or 5th depending on crescent sighting. 8:00 AM gathering and 9:00 AM Eid Prayer.
- Iqra Institute/ Muslim City Fest Eid Festival – Saturday June 8, 2019 from 3:00pm to 8:30 pm with concerts, games and food at 1079 Egypt Road Phoenixville, PA 19460.
CONTACT: Call local Muslim organizations for details about Eid celebrations. If there are no known contacts in a particular community, contact CAIR-Philadelphia Education and Outreach Director Dr. Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu; 617-401-5397; atekelioglu@cair.com
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: Each year, Muslims come to the prayers in colorful attire representative of different areas of the Islamic world. The prayers themselves are quite visual, with worshipers arranged in neat rows and bowing in prayer in unison. Participants exchange embraces at the conclusion of the prayers.
NOTE: Because this is a religious service, reporters and photographers of both sexes should dress modestly. Some communities may ask female reporters and photographers to put a scarf over their hair while in the actual prayer area. Photographers should arrive early to get into position for the best shots. Photographers are also advised not to step directly in front of worshipers and to seek permission for close-up shots. Shots of shoes removed for prayer and rear-angle shots of prostrating worshipers are considered inappropriate.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Education and Outreach Director Dr. Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu; 617-401-5397; atekelioglu@cair.com
