Peoria Muslims Bond in Ramadan


CAIRO, October 6, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – For the small Muslim minority in Peoria, Illinois, the holy fasting month of Ramadan is a time to increase one's involvement in community, a local US paper reported on Thursday, October 6.

"It's a time to reflect on your part in the work," Azra Hassan was quoted as saying by Peoria Journal Star.

"It takes you out of your day-to-day routine," she said. "You expand your focus to the whole community."

Women like Maisun Jaber-Mizyed said they frequently find themselves speaking about Islam at schools of all levels during Ramadan.

"A lot of kids ask," she said.

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) announced that the holy fasting month of Ramadan is Wednesday after Muslim astronomical consultants agreed that there were no confirmed reports on moon sighting in North America.

In Ramadan, Muslims focus on spiritual, not physical, fulfilment.

It's a time of reflection and prayer, of self-discipline, charity and immersion in the teachings of Allah.

Islam requires Muslims who are past puberty to refrain from food, water, smoking and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset for the month, with exceptions for certain physical conditions, older people and travellers.

Community Iftar

Ramadan is also a time for Muslims to bond together.

A approximately 30 men and women broke their first day of fasting together at Islamic Foundation of Peoria mosque, 923 Salaam Drive, just off Hale Avenue in North Peoria.

They ate the traditional dates and spicy specialties from various cultures represented by the IFP members, from Indonesia to the Middle East.

Also breaking their fast were young people like 10-year-old Kasim Malik, who said he will try to keep the Ramadan fast this year, though it will mean a change in where he spends lunch time at school.

"I went to the office and just talked with my friends," he said.

His mother, Ausia Malik, said the first few days of the fast take some getting used to.

"You do end up getting food headaches the first few days, but then your body adjusts," she said.

Living in a society where not the majority fast, Muslims in the Peoria area had to remember not to eat or drink while working during daylight.

"The first day is a surprise," Riaz Shaikh told the US paper before breaking his fast on the first day of Ramadan.

"You forget you're fasting and you reach for water."

Others standing in the hallway of the Islamic Foundation of Peoria mosque, 923 Salaam Drive, just off Hale Avenue in North Peoria, sympathized.

"I caught myself a few times walking toward the water fountain," said Fayaz Malik, spokesman for the IFP.