When does Ramadan start? - AL.com

paksijenong.blogspot.com

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins tonight at sunset. Daytime fasting for Muslims will begin on Tuesday morning, April 13, 2021, according to the Islamic Council of North America.

Islam follows a lunar calendar and the month of Ramadan begins based on the sighting of the new moon.

Muslims are required to fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.

At sunset during Ramadan, it’s customary to gather for a community meal to celebrate the daily breaking of the fast. Those community meals didn’t happen in 2020, and the evening dinners are canceled again this year to lessen the chance of spreading COVID-19.

For years, the Birmingham Islamic Society has invited Christian, Jewish and other groups to join in as guests at the evening meals during Ramadan.

That beloved tradition has been put on hold.

“We’re getting requests from the community,” said Ashfaq Taufique, a board member and president emeritus of the Birmingham Islamic Society. “Are we going to do Ramadan this year?”

In addition to nightly breaking of the fast, the month of Ramadan involves a late-night community reading of the Quran, called the Taraweeh, which typically lasts two to three hours, from 9 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.

This year, at Birmingham Islamic Center mosques in Hoover, Homewood and West Birmingham, the Taraweeh will be limited to an hour.

The reading of the Quran will take place in mosques, but with limited attendance, mask-wearing required and six-foot distance between those gathered for prayer, Taufique said.

It will not be broadcast by video or livestreamed from the mosque. For those who do not attend, people are encouraged to do their own readings at home.

“The prayer must be done in person,” Taufique said. “It is good to do at home with your own family.”

There are an estimated 10,000 Muslims living in Alabama, with about 3,000 to 5,000 living in the greater Birmingham area.

Before last year, the breaking of the fast at the Hoover Crescent Islamic Center typically drew about 700 participants nightly during Ramadan.

Even though some families observe it at home, communal breaking of the fast is traditionally available at mosques and Islamic community centers. Last year marked the first time in decades that Alabama Muslims did not gather for communal breaking of the fast at mosques.

“This is very saddening, but it is to keep the community safe,” Taufique said.

Birmingham Islamic Society mosques closed down on March 13, 2020, when the weekly Friday gathering for prayer was suspended to comply with state “stay at home” orders. They reopened for Friday prayer at the end of 2020 with restrictions including advance registration, mask-wearing and social distancing.

“We have resumed Friday prayer and regular prayers, with restrictions,” Taufique said.

Taufique, who has undergone a kidney transplant and a heart bypass, did not return to the Hoover Crescent Islamic Center for community prayers from March 13, 2020 until March 26, 2021, an absence of more than a year. He preached a message at the Friday prayer at the end of last month.

It may be a while before the community’s religious observances get back to normal.

“Hopes are picking up as the community gets vaccinated,” Taufique said. “We are going to make our decision based on science and the safety of the community.”

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"start" - Google News
April 13, 2021 at 04:05AM
https://ift.tt/3thHBB6

When does Ramadan start? - AL.com
"start" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2yVRai7
https://ift.tt/2WhNuz0

Bagikan Berita Ini