The San Francisco Bay Area office of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today said that the local Muslim community will begin the month-long fast of Ramadan (rom-a-don) on Friday, April 24.*
[*NOTE: Because the beginning of Islamic lunar months depends on the actual sighting of the new moon, the start and end dates for Ramadan may vary. Consult local Muslim communities for the beginning and end dates of Ramadan.]
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other sensual pleasures from before dawn until sunset. Fasting, along with the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the “five pillars” of Islam.
The Fiqh Council of North America (a national council of Islamic legal scholars) has called on mosques and Islamic centers to “strictly follow the health and state official guidelines for social gatherings and distancing,” and to hold special nightly Ramadan prayers “at home within a family setting.”
SEE: Fiqh Council Advisory Opinion on Mosque Closures in Ramadan
SEE ALSO: Georgia Mosques to Remain Closed During Ramadan Despite Governor Kemp’s Latest Order
“Ramadan is a time dedicated to healing the mind, body, and soul through individual and community worship. Muslims fast as an act of worship, as a means of increasing spirituality, discipline, self-restraint and generosity,” said CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo. “Due to the impacts of COVID-19, there will be a major shift in the social tradition of breaking fast and praying together this Ramadan. Many Muslims are anxious about how they can engage in the social, education, and spiritual demands of the month. Still, there is also optimism and opportunity as many organizations move their programs online and shift resources to support community members who have lost their jobs.”
At 6:00pm tonight, the CAIR-SFBA staff is hosting a webinar during which they will discuss the challenges and opportunities this Ramadan will hold for our community and share personal tips on how to have a beneficial Ramadan,
