BURBANK, California (October 3, 2005) – On behalf of its staff, volunteers,

and beneficiaries across the globe, Islamic Relief would like to wish you a

blessed month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. The first day of

Ramadan is expected to be on Wednesday, October 5, depending on the

moon sighting.

Ramadan is the most important month in the Islamic calendar. During this

month, 1.2 billion Muslims across the world abstain from food, drink, and

sexual relations with their spouses from dawn until dusk. Ramadan is also a

month of mercy and compassion. It is an Islamic tradition that the gates of

heaven are wide open during this month, and Muslims therefore take

advantage of this by increasing their good deeds, and their devotion to God

by regularly attending their local Mosques for prayers.

Most of the over 900 Mosques and Islamic centers in the United States offer

meals at sunset for people to break their fasts, and are open to the public for

anyone who would like to participate.

The month of Ramadan is when Muslims are most generous and charitable,

and they aim to take care of the needs of the poor, irrespective of race,

religion, or creed. Muslims recognize that although Ramadan is a festive

month for some, many people across the world are not able to celebrate due

to their impoverished conditions.

Islamic Relief, complying with the requests of our donors, increases its

projects to help the needy, both domestically, as well as overseas during this

month.

Once again, we wish you a peaceful and blessed month of Ramadan.

Islamic Relief spokesman Arif Shaikh is available for comment or interview

regarding Islamic Relief projects for the needy during the month of Ramadan.