Ramadan begins for Muslims Monday
Religious month of fasting, reflection will start at sundown
Ramadan, the annual month of daytime fasting and reflection for Muslims, begins at sundown Monday.
“In this blessed month, healthy adult Muslims are obligated to fast under certain conditions,” said Abdurrahman Yaki, imam at the Islamic Center of the Capital District in Colonie, clarifying those with health problems, travelers, pregnant women and children are exempt.
The fast begins at dawn, following an early breakfast called suhoor. It ends at sunset, traditionally broken with sweet dates and water, followed by prayers and the evening meal, called iftar.
“It is the month in which the Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad as a guidance to humanity,” said the imam. “It is the word of the Creator and was revealed over the course of 23 years.”
Ramadan is also a time of community get-togethers and congregational prayers. But last Ramadan, because of the pandemic, there was no socializing.
Some local people took a different approach. “We made iftar items like pakoras (fritters) or chana chat (chick peas and potatoes) or even a full meal and delivered to family or Muslim neighbors,” said Lubna Ismailnazir. She and her husband, Zahid Nazir, live in Latham with their three children, Saliha, a sophomore at Union College; Ammara, a senior at Shaker High and Dawood, a ninth grader. Her mother-in-law, Nasim Akhtar, lives with them. Everyone in the multigenerational household fasts during Ramadan.
“It reminded us that giant iftar gatherings are not always the best way to socialize. It was the simplicity that I liked last Ramadan.
“We worked and attended school from home so we enjoyed Ramadan and enjoyed each other. We got to focus more on spirituality.”
Nur Akmar Naim of Colonie echoed similar sentiments.
She said an Afghan family has adopted them and “before the pandemic, we would rush to our friends to have iftar. Last year, we tried to create the same ambiance at home. We spread our prayer rugs, put up lanterns, banners, LED lights and books on Ramadan. We focused on celebrating in our family, not the larger community. We prayed together, enlightening and encouraging each other because we only had each other.”
Naim is originally from Malaysia. She came on scholarship to RPI, where she met her future husband Sam Diep. Born and raised in Albany, he converted to Islam. They have two children Safiyyah Diep, 13 and Umar Hamza Diep, 9.
Last Ramadan, both children were studying from home so there was no rushing to school. Safiyyah has been fasting since she was eight. Last year was Umar’s first time fasting. “I have a Ramadan tracker for him,” said Naim where he gets to hang a lantern to represent each day he has fasted.
Ismail-nazir teaches science at Annur Islamic School in Colonie during the days and tae kwon do at Master Yang ’s Martial Arts Center in Latham in the evenings. She and her daughters would fast even as they attended the martial arts classes, which last year were on Zoom.
Both Ismail-nazir and Naim praised the respect from nonmuslims during Ramadan.
“In the past, the other students and instructors at the tae kwon do academy would understand if we were a little slow (during Ramadan),” said Ismailnazir. “One day we were testing and Saliha left the match saying she was fasting. Then Master Yang said, ‘Nobody is allowed to get a drink. If they can’t drink, no one will.’”
Naim said the South Colonie School District has been receptive for diversity. “I would contact the school and tell the teachers my children may not attend gym or just do something lighter.
“The teachers have parents come in and read books. I asked if I could read the Curious George book about Ramadan.
The school has been most accommodating and respectful.”
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar, and it begins 10 or 11 days earlier than it did the previous year.
“Ramadan starts with the traditional sighting of the crescent moon of Ramadan. Because of advanced technology, many now rely on calculations of the new moon,” the imam said.
Muslims fast to attain piety, to come closer to their creator, said Yaki. “Fasting was prescribed for nations before us — Jews and Christians — and is an Abrahamic foundation.” God says in the Quran, “O you who have attained to faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God.” (2:183)
Yaki said, “Last Ramadan, the center was completely closed. Collectively we tried to protect our lives and lives of others because many have perished.”
Area mosques streamed services, lectures and prayers online.
Ismail-nazir said her motherin-law would attend Friday services and nightly prayers during Ramadan at the Al Hidaya Center in Latham. “She missed going last Ramadan. She didn’t understand what a pandemic is. It was hard for her to be home all the time and tough for her to listen to prayers on the screen.”
“This year, the pandemic situation has improved so our mosques have opened, with conditions and safety guidelines,” the imam said. “Our elderly have spent most of their time locked at home the past year. Most have now been vaccinated. They can come with masks.”