Community Corner
Monday Marks 1st Day of Ramadan
The Islamic month of Ramadan, a time for fasting and reflection for Muslims, begins Aug. 1.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, begins today. While Redondo Beach doesn’t have a mosque, Muslim religious center or even a huge Muslim population, Ramadan may be something many of us have heard of but don’t know much about.
The month is particularly significant to Muslims because, they believe, it was during Ramadan that God revealed the first verses of the Quran to the prophet Muhammad.
During the month, Muslims practice self discipline, self control and self sacrifice by fasting from dawn to sunset. Fasting is seen as a way to empathize with those who are less fortunate and encourages charitable actions.
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Here are some more interesting facts about the month:
- The traditions of Ramadan are celebrated by more than a billion people throughout the world.
- The standard greeting for the beginning of Ramadan (akin to “Merry Christmas” or “Happy New Year”) is “Ramadan Kareem,” which means noble or generous Ramadan.
- Because Ramadan is part of a lunar-based calendar, the dates vary compared to our calendar and the it moves backwards by about 11 days each year; Therefore, after 34 years, a person will have fasted every day of the calendar.
- The end of Ramadan is celebrated with the Muslim holiday Eid ul-Fitr, or Eid, on the first day of the month following Ramadan, Shawwal. In addition to prayer, charity to the poor and gifts to children are part of the three-day celebration.
Interested in learning more or perhaps visiting a place of worship? Here are some Islamic centers not too far from Redondo Beach:
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- Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Bait-ul-Salam Mosque, 13221 Prairie Avenue, Hawthorne
- Islamic Center of Hawthorne, 12209 Hawthorne Way, Hawthorne
- Momin Lodge, 1918 Artesia Boulevard, Torrance
- South Bay Islamic Center, 25816 Walnut Street, Lomita
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