The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations joins approximately 120,000 Muslims in the Commonwealth and millions around the world in marking the beginning of the month-long fast of Ramadan (rom-a-don) that begins on or about May 6.*
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar during which Muslims abstain from food and drink 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 fast is performed to increase spirituality, discipline, self-restraint and generosity while obeying God’s commandments,” said CAIR-MA Executive Director John Robbins.
The end of Ramadan will be marked by communal prayers called “Eid ul-Fitr,” (eed-al-fitter) or Feast of the Fast-Breaking on or about June 4.
CAIR-MA representatives plan to visit most mosques in Massachusetts during the month.
“I pray this month brings with it lots of blessings,” Robbins said. “Our staff looks forward to meeting many members of the American Muslim community during visits to one of the mosques in our state.”
CAIR offers guides to Muslim religious practices, which outline basic information about Islamic beliefs that are relevant to educators, employers, health care providers, law enforcement and correctional institutions.
[*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.]