The California chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today celebrates State Assembly passing a resolution to recognize 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 Muslim community will begin the month-long fast of Ramadan (rom-a-don) on Tuesday, April 13.*
[*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.]
This Ramadan, local mosques have begun re-opening for limited social distant prayer services including special prayers, called taraweeh, after the daily nighttime prayer.
ACR 50 recognizes the celebration of the month of Ramadan by California’s over one million Muslims. ACR 50, championed by Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes, received a unanimous vote in support on the Assembly Floor.
Majority Leader Reyes said in a statement:
“The Muslim American community continues to be a pillar of California’s diversity, encompassing nearly every ethnic group of our state. As the most diverse state in the nation, ACR 50 is critical in respecting and celebrating California’s Muslim community and demonstrating our commitment to the 1 million Muslims living in California, who make our economy, social fabric, and diversity a strength that benefits the entire state. The Muslim community through numerous charities in California have been an essential part of the state’s response to the COVID pandemic as they have organized food distribution events and have hosted vaccine clinics for vulnerable communities.”
CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said in a statement:
“We are grateful to have such leadership in the California Legislature such as Majority Leader Reyes who work to ensure California’s one million Muslims are not forgotten; but rather are seen as celebrated members of our state’s diverse and rich cultural fabric.”