Islam

End of Ramadan: Eid al-Fitr

January 6, 2000

Source: The Denver Post

On January 6, 2000, The Denver Post reported that Denver-area Muslims have given approximately $200,000 this Ramadan to a variety of causes. The money includes $150,000 for completing the Colorado Muslim Society mosque and $25,000 for Chechens fighting against Russia.

State Department Hosts Iftar

December 24, 1999

Source: The Washington Post

On December 24, 1999, The Washington Post reported that the State Department hosted American Muslim leaders for iftar, the ritual evening meal held during Ramadan that signals the end of each day-long fast, for the first time ever. Madeleine Albright spoke to the group assembled for the meal: "There are a billion and a half Muslims in the world...They are of many nationalities and live in virtually every corner of every continent. How can anyone apply a stereotype to a quarter of the globe's people?" CAIR Communications Director...

Read more about State Department Hosts Iftar

Louis Farrakhan and Repentance

December 23, 1999

Source: New York Daily News

On December 23, 1999, the New York Daily News reported that Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan says that he has been changed by his near-death battle with prostate cancer. Farrakhan, 66, preached a message of unity and atonement before 200 supporters in Chicago: "Only through our act of atonement can we be forgiven for what we have said or done to injure other human beings." Farrakhan continued: "We must try to end the cycle of violence and the cycle of hatred." Farrakhan spoke negatively about Santa Claus in his speech: "...

Read more about Louis Farrakhan and Repentance

Ramadan 1999

December 12, 1999

Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 12, 1999, the Los Angeles Times reported that Orange County Muslim leaders are scrambling to find a spot to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the holiday which closes Ramadan. There are an estimated 150,000 Muslims in Orange County and up to 15,000 are expected to attend Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Orange County, but the normal locations for the celebration are all booked. The main reason for the last second efforts is that determining the end of Ramadan depends on the sighting of the new moon, which means that Eid al-Fitr could...

Read more about Ramadan 1999

Ramadan 1999

December 11, 1999

Source: St. Petersburg Times

On December 11, 1999, the St. Petersburg Times published an article on Ramadan celebrations in the St. Petersburg area. The 85 members of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center of Clearwater will gather to celebrate Ramadan in their newly constructed mosque. Last year, members celebrated Ramadan among ladders and cans of paints as the former studio was in the process of being turned into a mosque. Soon, a 55-foot minaret will be added to the mosque, along with a classroom, kitchen, and restroom. In Tampa, Muslims will gather at...

Read more about Ramadan 1999

Ramadan 1999

December 11, 1999

Source: Los Angeles Times

On December 11, 1999, the Los Angeles Times published an article on recent efforts to make Ramadan a more visible holiday in America. The Anaheim chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is urging residents to lobby their representatives in order to get a postage stamp that recognizes Ramadan. Hussam Ayloush, executive director of the Anaheim chapter of CAIR, stated: "An Islamic stamp would introduce a mainstream Muslim holiday to fellow Americans. We have probably stamps for every kind of flower, kind of tree,...

Read more about Ramadan 1999

Ramadan 1999

December 11, 1999

Source: Star Tribune

On December 11, 1999, the Star Tribune reported on the arrival of Ramadan to the Twin Cities area. The estimates of the Muslim population in Minnesota run between 45,000 and 60,000, with nearly half of the population Somalian.

Ramadan 1999

December 11, 1999

Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

On December 11, 1999, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published an article on how Ramadan provides space for Muslims to reflect on their lives and perform charitable acts. In Milwaukee, more than 50 adults and children from the Islamic Center peacefully demonstrated on the second day of Ramadan and the 51st anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights to protest sanctions against Iraq. Most Milwaukee Muslims spend their Ramadan in gatherings of friends and relatives. Jamal Amro, who owns the only grocery...

Read more about Ramadan 1999

Ramadan 1999

December 9, 1999

Source: The Courier-Journal

On December 9, 1999, The Courier-Journal published an article on the Ramadan fast. Nabil Saba, manager of a Middle Eastern restaurant in Crescent Hill, Kentucky, stated: "Fasting is supposed to get you closer to God and also to feel how the needy...feel." Saba also emphasized that one must also "fast from speaking bad language or backbiting...because if you do (speak it), your fasting is not valid." Aly Farag, a volunteer at the Louisville Islamic Center, stated: "The whole purpose of fasting is to train people to obtain the...

Read more about Ramadan 1999

Ramadan 1999

December 9, 1999

Source: White House

On December 9, 1999 the White House issued a press release greeting Muslims celebrating the start of Ramadan. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) offers a Ramadan Publicity Resource Kit on their website.

Ramadan 1999

December 8, 1999

Source: USA TODAY

On December 8, 1999, USA Today published an article on the growing presence of Islamic children's books on Ramadan in the mainstream market. Available at most book stores is the best-selling Ramadan by Suhaib Ghazi, which won 1997 book-of-the-year honors from the National Council for Social Studies. Other titles that are gaining prominence are Magid Fasts for Ramadan, First, Zaki's Ramadhan Fast, and Id-u-Fitr. Laleh Bakhtiar of Kazi Publications in Chicago, which sells to Borders, Barnes...

Read more about Ramadan 1999

Ramadan 1999

December 6, 1999

Source: The San Francisco Chronicle

On December 6, 1999, The San Francisco Chronicle published an article on how Muslims are trying to raise awareness of Islam and Ramadan. The Islamic Networks Group in San Jose, California gives more than 200 lectures each year to Bay Area schools and organizations. With an estimated 200,000 Muslims in the Bay Area, San Francisco Muslim organizations want City Hall to include Muslim holidays and Ramadan on the official city calendar in government offices. Souleiman Ghali, vice president of the Islamic Society of San...

Read more about Ramadan 1999

Pages