Ramadan in the United States

Photos

• Ramadan Photo Album

Texts

• America's Muslims Celebrate Eid al-Fitr, 18 December 2001
• Remarks by the President in Honor of Eid Al-Fitr, 17 December 2001
• President Bush Extends Greetings to Those Celebrating Eid al-Fitr, 13 December 2001
• Muslim Americans Renew Faith During Ramadan, 11 December 2001
• Defense Department Hosts Iftar Dinner for Muslims in U.S. Forces, 30 November 2001
• Secretary Powell Hosts Iftaar at the State Department, 29 November 2001
• Under Secretary Dobriansky Says Iftaar Highlights America's Religious Diversity, 29 November 2001
• Islam's First U.S. Postage Stamp for Muslim Eid Holiday, 21 November 2001
• Bush Honors Islam Holy Month, 19 November 2001
• President Bush Extends Warm Greetings to Muslims during Ramadan, 16 November 2001
• Representatives' Remarks on Islam, Ramadan in the U.S., 16 November 2001
• Muslim Chaplain Marks Ramadan with Prayer in Congress, 15 November 2001
• Lawmaker Introduces Resolution on Commencement of Ramadan, 8 November 2001

Ramadan Web Features

• Ramadan, from Beliefnet.com

Abstracts from the Pluralism Project

The following "In the News" abstracts are provided courtesy of the Pluralism Project, Harvard University

An Interfaith Iftar
• On December 10, 2001, The Kane County Chronicle reported "Muslims feed the faith of many people." The article began, "As the sun went down, the fast was broken and the call to prayer sounded. After prayers were said, the guests were treated to a traditional Muslim 'iftar.' ... Although the iftar is a tradition in the Islamic faith, Sunday��s dinner guests included Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Sikhs, as well as Muslims." The meal was hosted by the Ahmed family. The article continued, "Jonathan Levine, regional director for The American Jewish Committee, said he has become close personal friends with the Ahmeds during the past five years. Developing personal relationships is the best way to knock down the kinds of stereotypes that are pitting one religious group against another, Levine said. 'Personal relationships count more than anything else when it comes to group relations.'"
(December 10, 2001, The Kane County Chronicle, On-Line)
Read the full story

Columbus Community Gathers for Iftar
• On December 4, 2001, The Columbus Dispatch reported on a Columbus, OH community Iftar or meal that breaks the daylight fast of the Muslim holy month, Ramadan. "For years, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has hosted the evening to explain Islamic culture and build friendships. Such an outreach paid off after Sept. 11. Many in the community already understood that Muslims, like Christians and Jews, follow God's laws." The Mayor of Columbus attended the event as did the Superintendent of schools and other government employees and journalists.
(December 4, 2001, The Columbus Dispatch, 01D)

UCLA Muslims and Jews Come Together for Ramadan
• On December 1, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that Muslim and Jewish students at UCLA gathered for the daily breaking of the Muslim students' fast for Ramadan, and ate a kosher meal together. "The joint iftar celebration... reflected a burgeoning effort to forge ties between young followers of the two faiths, overcoming historical campus tensions between them, the emotions fueled by the Mideast conflict and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks."
(December 1, 2001, Los Angeles Times, 2; 1)

California Students Gather for Ramadan Prayers
• On November 23, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that at lunchtime during Ramadan at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School a group of students gathers for prayers. "This year, these students, ages 14 to 18, are determined to stand up for their faith through prayer in this quiet yet public way. They say that praying together during Ramadan is one way they can show their commitment to a religion that has recently become the most discussed, criticized and defended of any in the world."
(November 23, 2001, Los Angeles Times, 5; 1)

Growing Muslim Community at Home in Amarillo, TX
• On November 21, 2001, The Chicago Tribune reported that "in Amarillo [Texas] as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began, the rodeo crowned a new steer-roping champion and the Kiwanis Club sponsored a Bible-reading marathon. Such is life in this city of 220,000, a Bible Belt town in cowboy boots that is doing its best to make way for a swiftly growing Islamic community. While the terrorist attacks Sept. 11 in New York and near Washington have tested American tolerance around the country, this conservative, mostly white Texas town whose Islamic Center is doubling in size with new construction has provided a litmus test like few others. Amarillo's changing demographic landscape and proximity to Oklahoma City, site of the 1995 bombing, could have made it ripe for a volatile reaction, but it has passed the test, many here say."
(November 21, 2001, The Chicago Tribune, On-Line)
Read the full story

Muslims Observe Ramadan in Iowa
• On November 19, 2001, Yahoo.com News reported that "as Muslims observe Ramadan against the backdrop of terrorist attacks and war, worshippers at the nation's oldest mosque say they take comfort in the support they have received from their neighbors...About 30 Muslims gathered Sunday at the Mother Mosque of America Islamic Cultural and Heritage Center to break the daily fast that is part of the holy month of Ramadan...The Mother Mosque was first built in the 1920s. It was later used as a town hall and a Pentecostal church, and was reacquired by the Islamic Council of Iowa in 1990 and reopened as a mosque in 1992."
(November 19, 2001, Yahoo.com News, On-Line)

NBA Players Observe Ramadan Fast
• On November 17, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution featured the story "Ramadan brings Hawks focus" about two Muslim NBA players, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Nazr Mohammed. "Abdur-Rahim and Mohammed will awaken about 5 a.m. for morning prayers. They'll take fluids, eat breakfast before sunup and go back to bed to rest until time to go to shooting practice. They will conserve their energy during the day, while reflecting on life and their beliefs, Abdur-Rahim said. 'I find that I am calmer,' he said. 'I'm more focused. Nothing distracts me because I won't allow it. For that reason, I think I play better during Ramadan.'"
(November 17, 2001, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Sports; Pg. 1E)

Young Muslims Join Fast for Ramadan
• On November 17, 2001, The Houston Chronicle reported that "though not required, children as young as 7 or 8 sometimes fast during parts of the month [of Ramadan]. For them, making it through the whole month is often a cause of celebration for families...'It was a step toward maturity and you feel special, like you are one of the big kids,' said Aisha Ahmed, 16, who began fasting throughout Ramadan by the time she was 8...At first, children often join in the fasting to feel part of the family and not have solitary meals. But as they grow older, the practice of fasting gains more spiritual meaning."
(November 17, 2001, The Houston Chronicle, Religion: 1)

Kansas City Attempts to Better Understand Ramadan
• On November 17, 2001, the Kansas City Star reported that "since Sept. 11 more attention has been directed toward Islam. To further this understanding The Star has prepared this guide on Ramadan." A lengthy guide entitled "What is Ramadan?" follows that explains the history, the customs, and the significance of Ramadan. The guide concludes that "at the end of the month, Muslims have a huge celebration called Eid ul Fitr (or Id al-Fitr). Many communities, including Kansas City, hold combined celebrations, with Muslims throughout the area attending."
(November 17, 2001, Kansas City Star, F1)

Profiles of Minnesota Muslims
• On November 17, 2001, the Star Tribune featured an article that profiled many Twin-Cities Muslims from diverse backgrounds as part of the paper's coverage of Ramadan.
(November 17, 2001, Star Tribune, 1E)

Ramadan Takes on New Significance
• On November 17, 2001, Newsday reported that "while each Ramadan is significant to the global community, this year's observance takes on added meaning in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the conflict in Afghanistan, said Al-Haaj Ghazi Khankhan, director of interfaith affairs and communications at the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury."
(November 17, 2001, Newsday, A17)

Ramadan In America 2001
• On November 11, 2001, The Seattle Times reported that "the Islamic holy month begins later this week, and a community gathering in Redmond explored the event in words, song and food...About 250 people -- many of them families with children -- attended the event, organized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations' Seattle chapter. The event was designed to help people gain a better understanding of Islam."
(November 11, 2001, The Seattle Times, B1)