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Message from Imam:
1430th Ramadan - the Month of Blessings and Peace
© Imam Ali Siddiqui
siddiqui@aol.com; 707-545-5234
California Muslim Institute, 2001 Range Ave, Suite 26
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
2.8 billion Muslims of the world will celebrate the blessed month of Ramadan
starting Saturday, August 22, 2009. During this month, healthy Muslim adults will
observe fasting during the daylight hours.
Muslim Fasting is a total abstention from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk for
29 or 30 days of the month of Ramadan. In addition, avoiding immoral behavior and
anger and showing compassion is part of the requirements of the fasting. The
purpose of fasting is manifold. Allah (the God Almighty) mentioned it in the Holy
Book of the Muslims, Quran, that the fasting is prescribed for the believers as it was
prescribed for the people before them, so that they may acquire self control and God-
consciousness (Quran 2:183). Therefore, the purpose of fasting is to develop self-
control, God-consciousness, improvement of health by reducing or eliminating
impurities from the body, and to become aware of the plight of the poor, hungry, and
the sick.
Ramadan is a month of spiritual consciousness and high sense of social
responsibility. The fulfillment of one’s obligations during this month is rewarded by
70 times. Fasting is one of the 5 pillars of Islam including Announcement of Faith,
Salaat (praying 5 times a day), Zakaat (the right of the poor on the wealth of the
financially able), Fasting during the month of Ramadan, and Hajj (once a life time
pilgrimage to Kaaba). It is an obligation on every adult and healthy Muslim to fast
during the month of Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan is also the month in which the Holy Quran was sent down
from 7th level of heaven to the 1st level, from where it was revealed to Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a piece meal basis over a period of 23 years. It is
a very joyous occasion for the Muslims of the world. They fast during the day, pray,
and read Quran during the part of the night.
There is a special night called the Night of Power, which is mentioned in the Quran
(Chapter 97), as a night of peace, mercy, and light. Worshiping during this night is
better than the worship of 1,000 months. During this night, Muhammad was chosen
by Allah, as the Messenger and Quran was sent to the 1st level of heaven. During
this night, Allah (the God Almighty) sends down an army of special angels, under
the leadership of Archangel Gabriel, who go to every nook and cranny of the earth to
pray for the mercy of Allah (the God Almighty) and salvation of the believers.
Unlike common calendar, which is Solar based, Islamic calendar is Lunar based. It
does not mean that Muslims worship moon. It is another way to count days of the
month and the year. Like all Islamic months, Ramadan, 9th lunar month, begins
after sighting the Crescent, but not the new moon. The probability to see the
Crescent for Ramadan is on Friday, August 21, 2009 just after sunset on the western
horizon.
The population of Muslims in the US is estimated at 9 million, of which about 2
million lives in California. All healthy Muslim adults including homemakers, school-
going kids around the age of 13, factory workers, businessmen, and others among
them will be fasting. Your Muslim neighbors will be getting up very early to take
their sahoor, a pre-dawn meal before starting their fast. So, don’t get alarmed if you
hear lot of noise next door. School staff has to show understanding and
consideration towards Muslim students fasting during the month of Ramadan from
August 22, 2009 to Sept. 19, 2009. They should be assigned alternate activities
instead of strenuous gym activities.
Physicians should also understand that their patients might be fasting. They should
prescribe the medicine in a way that they could take it with their pre-dawn or after
sunset meals. However, if the patients’ life may be in jeopardy, explain it to the
patients or seek help from a Muslim Medical Chaplain at a local hospital, (like Imam
Ali Siddiqui, 707-545-5234, Siddiqui@aol.com) or an Imam/director of a local
Masjid/Islamic Center. According to Muslim physicians, there are some physiological
benefits from Muslim Fasting (total abstention from food and liquids) including
lowering of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol, and lowering of systolic blood
pressure.
At the completion of month of Fasting, Muslims all over the world celebrate their
holiday of Eid al-Fitr. It is the biggest Muslim holiday. It is a true thanksgiving for a
Muslim believer for having the opportunity to obey Allah (the God Almighty) by
observing Fasting. It is celebrated on the 1st day of 10th lunar month, Shaw’waal.
This year, it will probably be on Sunday, September 20, 2009. The holiday begins
with Muslims putting on their best preferably new clothes and going to the Eid
congregation. Eid congregations are very large gatherings of Muslim men, women,
and children across the country. You can witness these gathering at local
Convention Centers, Fair grounds, and/or Community Parks. Afterwards, people
greet each other with hugs and handshakes. The children receive gifts of money and
toys. After the congregation, Muslims visit each other at their homes and hold
lunches or dinners for family and friends. Don’t be surprised if you are invited to an
Eid dinner or Eid celebration by your Muslim neighbor or friend. Please do accept
such an invitation. The hospitality, friendliness, and variety of international Muslim
cuisine will pleasantly surprise you. Greetings of Ramadan, Ramadan Karim!
The local police and other law enforcement agencies should take extra precautions,
during this month around the local Masjid / mosque / Islamic Center and where the
Eid Congregation will be held, for the safety of Muslims and their facilities. The
Muslim Communities across the nation appreciate the local police officers and the
law enforcement agencies for looking after their safety. They are also thankful of
interfaith volunteers who have provided support and vigilance. Thank you! May
Allah, the Creator, look after you in your hour of need! Amen!
P.S. Muslims should call their local Masjid for the beginning and end of Ramadan.
Additional information can be acquired through e-mail: siddiqui@aol.com
About the author:
Imam Ali Siddiqui is the Imam at the Islamic Center of Petaluma, CA, President of
California Muslim Institute; Member of Board of Directors, Peace with Justice
Center of the Pomona Valley; Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Los
Angeles, and UNA of Pomona Valley. For additional information about author’s
involvement, please visit onenationforall.org and/or Google: “Imam Ali Siddiqui”
Other publications by the author:
Zakat-ul-Fitr is Wajib
Zakat al-Maal - the right of the Poor
Lai-la-tul Qadr - The Night of Mercy and Peace
Eid al-Fitr - A True Thanksgiving
The Significance of Eid
Imam Siddiqui is also available for speaking engagement. Please contact him at
Siddiqui@aol.com ; 707-5455234.
1430th Ramadan - the Month of Blessings and Peace
© Imam Ali Siddiqui
siddiqui@aol.com; 707-545-5234
California Muslim Institute, 2001 Range Ave, Suite 26
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
2.8 billion Muslims of the world will celebrate the blessed month of Ramadan
starting Saturday, August 22, 2009. During this month, healthy Muslim adults will
observe fasting during the daylight hours.
Muslim Fasting is a total abstention from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk for
29 or 30 days of the month of Ramadan. In addition, avoiding immoral behavior and
anger and showing compassion is part of the requirements of the fasting. The
purpose of fasting is manifold. Allah (the God Almighty) mentioned it in the Holy
Book of the Muslims, Quran, that the fasting is prescribed for the believers as it was
prescribed for the people before them, so that they may acquire self control and God-
consciousness (Quran 2:183). Therefore, the purpose of fasting is to develop self-
control, God-consciousness, improvement of health by reducing or eliminating
impurities from the body, and to become aware of the plight of the poor, hungry, and
the sick.
Ramadan is a month of spiritual consciousness and high sense of social
responsibility. The fulfillment of one’s obligations during this month is rewarded by
70 times. Fasting is one of the 5 pillars of Islam including Announcement of Faith,
Salaat (praying 5 times a day), Zakaat (the right of the poor on the wealth of the
financially able), Fasting during the month of Ramadan, and Hajj (once a life time
pilgrimage to Kaaba). It is an obligation on every adult and healthy Muslim to fast
during the month of Ramadan.
The month of Ramadan is also the month in which the Holy Quran was sent down
from 7th level of heaven to the 1st level, from where it was revealed to Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him) in a piece meal basis over a period of 23 years. It is
a very joyous occasion for the Muslims of the world. They fast during the day, pray,
and read Quran during the part of the night.
There is a special night called the Night of Power, which is mentioned in the Quran
(Chapter 97), as a night of peace, mercy, and light. Worshiping during this night is
better than the worship of 1,000 months. During this night, Muhammad was chosen
by Allah, as the Messenger and Quran was sent to the 1st level of heaven. During
this night, Allah (the God Almighty) sends down an army of special angels, under
the leadership of Archangel Gabriel, who go to every nook and cranny of the earth to
pray for the mercy of Allah (the God Almighty) and salvation of the believers.
Unlike common calendar, which is Solar based, Islamic calendar is Lunar based. It
does not mean that Muslims worship moon. It is another way to count days of the
month and the year. Like all Islamic months, Ramadan, 9th lunar month, begins
after sighting the Crescent, but not the new moon. The probability to see the
Crescent for Ramadan is on Friday, August 21, 2009 just after sunset on the western
horizon.
The population of Muslims in the US is estimated at 9 million, of which about 2
million lives in California. All healthy Muslim adults including homemakers, school-
going kids around the age of 13, factory workers, businessmen, and others among
them will be fasting. Your Muslim neighbors will be getting up very early to take
their sahoor, a pre-dawn meal before starting their fast. So, don’t get alarmed if you
hear lot of noise next door. School staff has to show understanding and
consideration towards Muslim students fasting during the month of Ramadan from
August 22, 2009 to Sept. 19, 2009. They should be assigned alternate activities
instead of strenuous gym activities.
Physicians should also understand that their patients might be fasting. They should
prescribe the medicine in a way that they could take it with their pre-dawn or after
sunset meals. However, if the patients’ life may be in jeopardy, explain it to the
patients or seek help from a Muslim Medical Chaplain at a local hospital, (like Imam
Ali Siddiqui, 707-545-5234, Siddiqui@aol.com) or an Imam/director of a local
Masjid/Islamic Center. According to Muslim physicians, there are some physiological
benefits from Muslim Fasting (total abstention from food and liquids) including
lowering of blood sugar, lowering of cholesterol, and lowering of systolic blood
pressure.
At the completion of month of Fasting, Muslims all over the world celebrate their
holiday of Eid al-Fitr. It is the biggest Muslim holiday. It is a true thanksgiving for a
Muslim believer for having the opportunity to obey Allah (the God Almighty) by
observing Fasting. It is celebrated on the 1st day of 10th lunar month, Shaw’waal.
This year, it will probably be on Sunday, September 20, 2009. The holiday begins
with Muslims putting on their best preferably new clothes and going to the Eid
congregation. Eid congregations are very large gatherings of Muslim men, women,
and children across the country. You can witness these gathering at local
Convention Centers, Fair grounds, and/or Community Parks. Afterwards, people
greet each other with hugs and handshakes. The children receive gifts of money and
toys. After the congregation, Muslims visit each other at their homes and hold
lunches or dinners for family and friends. Don’t be surprised if you are invited to an
Eid dinner or Eid celebration by your Muslim neighbor or friend. Please do accept
such an invitation. The hospitality, friendliness, and variety of international Muslim
cuisine will pleasantly surprise you. Greetings of Ramadan, Ramadan Karim!
The local police and other law enforcement agencies should take extra precautions,
during this month around the local Masjid / mosque / Islamic Center and where the
Eid Congregation will be held, for the safety of Muslims and their facilities. The
Muslim Communities across the nation appreciate the local police officers and the
law enforcement agencies for looking after their safety. They are also thankful of
interfaith volunteers who have provided support and vigilance. Thank you! May
Allah, the Creator, look after you in your hour of need! Amen!
P.S. Muslims should call their local Masjid for the beginning and end of Ramadan.
Additional information can be acquired through e-mail: siddiqui@aol.com
About the author:
Imam Ali Siddiqui is the Imam at the Islamic Center of Petaluma, CA, President of
California Muslim Institute; Member of Board of Directors, Peace with Justice
Center of the Pomona Valley; Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Los
Angeles, and UNA of Pomona Valley. For additional information about author’s
involvement, please visit onenationforall.org and/or Google: “Imam Ali Siddiqui”
Other publications by the author:
Zakat-ul-Fitr is Wajib
Zakat al-Maal - the right of the Poor
Lai-la-tul Qadr - The Night of Mercy and Peace
Eid al-Fitr - A True Thanksgiving
The Significance of Eid
Imam Siddiqui is also available for speaking engagement. Please contact him at
Siddiqui@aol.com ; 707-5455234.