Celebrating Ramadan in Newark

On a tough-looking stretch of Chancellor Avenue in Newark's South Ward, a stream of people go inside a modest mosque, doffing off shoes and sandals while they greet friends and strangers with smiles and multiple kisses on cheeks.

"Asalaam Alaikum," they say. "Peace be upon you."

The mosque is Masjid Ibrahim and the people are gathering for the first Friday afternoon prayers for the holy month of Ramadan, which began Aug. 1.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and its start is typically a day after the sighting of the new crescent moon or hilal, according to Crescent Watch, an Islamic website dedicated to the lunar calendar.  Ramadan was when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam.

Muslims typically observe Ramadan by fasting from food, drink, smoking, and sex from sun up to sundown. The month ends with Eid ul-Fitr, a time of celebration marked with feasting and exchanging of gifts.

There are about seven million Muslims in America,  according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.  In New Jersey, there's an estimated half-million Muslims - making it one of the top states with a large Muslim population.

In Newark, many observant Muslims are using Ramadan as a time of inner-reflection and to reconnect with family and friends, and most of all, their faith. It is a time to become better people, better Muslims, many say.

"It's a cleansing," said Ka-Rin Haynes who goes to Masjid Ibrahim.

For the first week of Ramadan, she has studiously been avoiding television, gossiping, and anything else that may not be pleasing to Allah, or God in Arabic, she said.

"We can find fulfillment in what is pleasing to Allah such as praying and reading," said Haynes, a bubbly lady who wears colorful hijabs (head covering).

Everyday during the month, Haynes has been reading at least 14 pages of the Koran. And she has been preparing special dishes for iftar or the evening meal that breaks the daily fast.

One night, she made a stewed chicken and rice dish for an iftar potluck at an Elizabeth mosque, she said.

Nikita Qawiy, another Newark resident, sees Ramadan as a time to run from Allah back to Allah - a way to reconnect with her faith and her inner-self.

"It means renewal," she said. "I get to shed off past sins and receive Allah's blessing and mercy.

Doubts |

Sure, I may not pray before meals, but we say a heartfelt prayer before bed each night, dishing out our worries and thanks to God (praying for a gentle answer, patience, joy, and love between us is a common prayer!) .  When she wakes up with a bad dream I always say a prayer with her for comfort. We talk about God throughout our days, because ultimately life around us always points back to Him. I make it a priority (now) to get our family to church when we can. That’s something.