Eid also comes to America

Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed

Like Muslims the world over, Muslim Americans are always in disagreement when the month of Ramadan begins and ends. Although astronomically it is possible to predict the sighting of a new moon, what percentage of moon must “rise” astronomically to be visible to be seen by the naked eye remains in question. The Hadith does not help much. There are Hadiths that say that if one can ascertain that moon has been sighted somewhere in the Islamic world, that constitutes local sighting and Ramadan can begin. There is another Hadith that states that the moon must be visible in the country one resides in. The first group (mostly Arabs) likes to fast if the moon has been sighted in Saudi Arabia or Egypt; the second group (mostly Subcontinentals) likes to fast only after moon sighting in the US. Consequently, as in previous years, this year Ramadan started on two days in the USA, Saturday and Sunday. And Eid-ul-Fitr will also be celebrated on two days: Sunday (October 22) and Monday (October 23).

Unlike Bangladesh, America hosts Muslims from all over the world. Our mosque has Muslims from over fifty nations. However, Pakistanis and Egyptians are dominant in the running of the mosque. Although there are Bangladeshi-dominated mosques in New York, in our mosque Bangladeshis are notable by their absence. Every year a “Mukri” (a Hafez who has been especially trained to recite the Qur'an) from Egypt is flown over to conduct the Taraveeh prayer. The “Mukri” has been trained in the nuances of Qur'anic recitation. They have enchanting voices with as melodious and undulating intonations as is required to recite the holy book and mesmerize the faithful. Unlike in Bangladesh, the Mukri does not rush his recitation. Starting from the beginning of the Qur'an on the first night, the “Mukri” finishes reciting the Qur'an on the night of the Lailatul Qadr, or the Night of Power, preceding the 27th fast.

That the Muslims congregate in the mosque at a certain time for a whole month is not lost on local politicians. Every year the local congressmen and other elected officials visit the mosque during Ramadan to establish their pro-Muslim credentials. With the national elections only three weeks away, this year the Governor of New Jersey Jon Corzine and US Senator Bob Menendez will visit our mosque on the night of Lailatul Qadr when the mosque will be overflowing with worshippers who also happen to be voters.

Muslims in America stick to their ethnic food even during Ramadan. The Arabs eat Arab food and the Subcontinentals stick to their own food. Although more and more Arabs are taking to subcontinental food, the opposite is not true. For a real sumptuous Bangladeshi Iftar, one needs to visit the Jackson Heights section of New York. From the aroma wafting in the air and the language spoken, it is impossible to imagine one is not in Bangladesh when one is at Jackson Heights. Bangladeshi Americans invite friends and relatives for Iftar. One sees far more of friends and relatives during Ramadan than during the rest of the year. Perhaps socialising was also meant to be an indirect benefit of Ramadan.

“When is your Eid?” is a question heard around this time of the year. Of course, the answer is one of two days, which brings with it another set of problems. Muslims want to pray Eid-ul-Fitr in halls much larger than their mosques. However, hotels want an exact date, which Muslims are unable to furnish. Consequently, they demand security deposit for two days, if they are willing to host the Muslims. More and more for mysterious reasons hotels are willing to forgo a check for $20,000 for the use of their largest hall for 5-6 hours for Eid prayers. They are not bound to give a reason why they do not want to host Muslims.

It is much harder to fast in a non-Muslim country like America, where most people do not fast, than in Bangladesh, where most people fast. This is especially true for younger, American-born Muslims. When Americans learn that one of their Muslim colleagues is fasting, they show respect and almost never eat in front of him.

As Ramadan backs up more and more into the summer months, fasting will be tougher and longer. At the height of summer, Iftar around here is around 8:35 P.M.; it is much later in northern states and Alaska. Nevertheless, it seems so fair that wherever one lives, Ramadan makes a trip through all seasons in 36 years. It would have been so hard if one were to fast only during summer and so easy if one were to fast only during winter.

These days Muslims take time off for important religious occasions such as Lailatul Qadr and the two Eids. Americans are learning more and more about Islam and the Muslims. Ramadan is always in the news. Parking restrictions are lifted during Eid in New York city. Muslims write about and take out ads in newspapers telling Americans about Ramadan and Eid. School districts with significant Muslim populations are willing to declare school holidays for the Eids if only Muslims would give them a firm date. Even the White House hosts Iftar and Eid parties.

As in the rest of the Muslim world, with all the spiritual and physical restrictions of Ramadan lifted, what all Muslims want to do on Eid day as they visit friends and relatives is eat, eat and eat!