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.