By: Zainab Alam
Eid celebrations will soon be held by 1.6 billion Muslims around the world to mark the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan. For New Jersey, the state with the second highest percentage of Muslims in the United States, it means that more than 400,000 Muslims will partake in such festivities. One of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar, Eid-ul-Fitr, is a day that begins with prayers and usually also entails spending time with loved ones, gift-giving and feasting throughout the day. However, as the day gets closer, a bittersweet feeling ensues: although in anticipation of the celebration, Muslims also reminisce about this month of blessings, which will soon come to a close.
Muslims observe Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, by fasting during the daylight hours. A way that Muslims exercise self-control over their worldly desires, fasting results in self-reflection that often provides a better understanding of the experiences of the less fortunate. In addition to the fast, Muslims increase their acts of worship during this month and try to perform more charitable deeds. Muslims often donate money to charity, feed the hungry or otherwise volunteer their services to help the poor. Importantly, Muslims believe that their holy book, the Quran, was revealed during this month and as such, they try to read it and contemplate upon as much as they can.
In North Edison, as part of the additional prayers that take place during this month, over 400 Muslims gather for worship everyday in the newly built mosque, Masjid Al-Wali. Inaugurated on June 26th of this year, Masjid Al-Wali serves more than a thousand congregants in the greater Edison area. It provides a much needed prayer space for the growing Muslim population in the region, as well as serving as a greater community-centered establishment for socio-cultural programs. One such recent gathering, in line with the Ramadan focus on charitable giving, was on Sunday July 13, when Muslims at Masjid Al-Wali prepared 300 meals for neighbors in need of food- regardless of their religion or race.
Fasting during Ramadan is obligatory upon all Muslim adults, with the exception of those who are sick, traveling, pregnant or elderly. In this month, those who are fasting traditionally wake up before sunrise to eat a pre-dawn meal, called suhoor. About 17 hours later, when the sun sets, Muslims gather together to break their fast, with a meal called iftaar, which customarily includes dates and water or milk. Mosques like Masjid Al-Wali, usually have a stock of dates available everyday for worshipers who choose to break their fast at the mosque, followed by a community sponsored dinner and evening prayers.
Later in the night, many Muslims pray optional prayers called Tarawih at their local mosque, during which about 1/30th of the Quran is recited every night. At Masjid Al-Wali, these special night prayers typically start every night at around 10:00pm and end slightly after midnight. As there are 30 chapters in the Quran, the last night of tarawih prayers typically coincides with the recitation of the final chapter of the Quran at the end of Ramadan, with is marked by the sighting of the new moon.
The moon sighting commences the festive holiday of Eid-ul-Fitr. This year, depending on when the moon is seen, Eid-ul-Fitr will either fall on Sunday, July 27th or Monday, July 28th. For Edison Muslims, if it falls on Sunday, Eid prayers will take place at Masjid Al-Wali. If Eid falls on Monday, prayers will take place at Roosevelt Park where there are accommodations for 2,000 people, allowing congregations from multiple local mosques to join together in worship and celebration. As the day gets closer, Muslims prepare to rejoice with family and friends, while making the most of the end of the Ramadan by working towards greater spiritual self-improvement.

