This year coincides with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, and the war between Israel and Hamas is intensifying in Gaza. The United Nations has warned that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is getting worse.
Talib Sharif, the imam of the National Mosque of Mohammed in Washington, said Muslims will celebrate differently this year because of the conflict.
In addition to organizing prayers for the community, the mosque “is much more involved in services and meals; we actually serve meals in the mosque, [also at] Sanctuary, we go to other religious groups as well,” said Sharif, who served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 30 years and helped found the first Islamic military chaplain in 1993.
“I do hope that … the religious community can come together,” he said, noting that his mosque also partners with churches to provide food to others in the community.
“obviously [the conflict] It will burn into people’s hearts, it will haunt people, it will haunt people,” Sharif said.
Nearly 2 billion Muslims around the world will begin celebrating the Islamic holiday of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on March 10 or 11, depending on the appearance of the moon.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from fasting, alcohol, smoking, gossip and sex from sunrise to sunset. The purpose of fasting is to bring Muslims closer to God and to help them better empathize with those less fortunate.
American Muslims
In the United States, the Muslim population is approximately 3.45 million, accounting for a little more than 1% of the total population. According to the Pew Research Center.
Depending on where Muslims live in the United States, their experiences may vary. In some rural areas, Muslims may not have access to mosques or communities where they can practice their faith.
This is especially true for immigrants who move to areas without large Muslim populations.
Jemal Yasin, who immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia in 2008 to pursue graduate studies at the University of Vermont, described his first experience in the United States as “a little lonely.”
He said there was a community of Somali immigrants, although he didn’t get a chance to pray with them.
During his first year in the United States, he said he had to “pray alone in my room,” which he said was a typical experience for many Muslim immigrants.
Today, Yassin is chairman of the board of directors of the First Hijra Foundation in Washington.
According to its website, the FHF began as a small organization that “promotes and protects the Islamic heritage” and “promotes the Islamic principles of brotherhood, equality, mutual aid and the teachings of peace, love and justice.”
Initially, the organization had no building and foundation members would meet in each other’s homes. Yassin said it was not until 2005 that their current building was officially protected.
“This is the center of Muslims, of all Muslims…so when you come here you see [people of many] People of different backgrounds — African Americans, Ethiopians, Somalis, Arabs — they pray together, they eat fast together, so it’s a place for everyone,” Yassin said.
He added that the foundation works with communities to organize events for Muslims before, during and after Ramadan.
Later in 2008, Yassin moved to Washington, D.C., joined the foundation and became part of the larger Muslim community.
Ramadan observation is becoming increasingly common in the United States, with many organizations hosting events to celebrate Ramadan.
“In the past we had more… private Eids, now they are more open… we are able to share more,” Sharif said.
After sunset, Muslims typically gather to eat Iftar – Eid al-Fitr, the most important meal of the day.
Yassin said the foundation helped organize a market on Sunday to help the community prepare for Ramadan. Food items such as traditional clothing, incense and dates are sold.
During Ramadan, First Migration Foundation will provide free iftar meals to the community every night.
Ramadan this year
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war is the result of an October 7 terrorist attack in which Hamas crossed into Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking more than 240 civilians hostage. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the Israeli military response has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians.
Negotiators are pushing for a possible ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas before the start of Ramadan.
Follow us on Google news ,Twitter , and Join Whatsapp Group of thelocalreport.in
