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."

She has been avoiding music and "slandering." She has also been extra sweet to her husband and children, especially her 19-year-old son. Qawiy said she brings him milk and cookies.

The acts of kindness are good things, she said, while eluding to the temptations and danger in the material world.

"Elements around us are very powerful," she said.

To Imam Mustafa El-Amin, the religious leader of Masjid Ibrahim, Ramadan is a month of education, a time to reacquaint one's self to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

During his sermon at the first Friday afternoon prayers, El-Amin exhorted the more than 100 people gathered at the mosque to read and understand the Quran, its core meanings, and not argue over technicalities - such as when Ramadan really begins.

He gets phone calls — he lost count — on when the holy month begins, he said. People have been known to get into heated arguments over when it should start, but things have gotten better as the news media lets Muslims know when Ramadan kicks off.

"The moon is used for calculations, but don't get caught up in it. If I start one day, you start another day. Don't let it tear a community apart," said El-Amin during his sermon.

After the sermon, El-Amin summed up Ramadan.

"We go through the year, you may miss some prayers, you get tied up in work," he said. "Ramadan offers a chance to get back on course and get closer to our Lord."

South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka and local masjids are hosting outdoor prayer on Clinton Avenue and S. 12 Street at 7:52 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, and on Springfield Avenue and S. 18th Street at 7:42 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. Newarkers are asked to bring their prayer mats. Food, dates and water will be served.

For more information, contact David Muhammad at (973) 803-8234.