Library: Holidays and Cultural Observances: Islamic Holidays and Observances

Greetings

40 Ramadan Greetings
Celebrate the month of Ramadan with family and friends by sharing Ramadan greetings, wishes, and messages. Ramadan is the ninth month on the twelve month Islamic calendar. It’s a holy time of year for practicing Muslims who observe fasting from dawn until dusk. For Ramadan, fasting means refraining from all food and drink — including water. The nights are filled with standing up in prayer.
Ramadan Mubarak: Hear greetings in different languages
As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is about to begin, here is how to wish someone Ramadan Mubarak in various languages around the world.
Your Complete Guide to Ramadan, Including the Proper Greeting and When It Starts
The month-long observance—which likely begins the evening of March 22 in 2023—sees Muslims fasting from dawn to sunset, reciting verses from the Quran and attending prayer sessions. For many of those observing Ramadan, it is a time to become closer to God. It is also a time of joy and for spending time with one’s family, and giving to charity and those in need.

Islamic Holidays and Observances

Halal restrictions apply: Islamic dietary laws which apply throughout the year. These restrictions include alcohol and pork. Please note that all holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the date given:

Ashura /Martyrdom of Husayn/Shi'ite Holiday of Ashura — An Islamic optional one day fast. The Shia observance is based on the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's Grandson, Hussein, martyred on this date in 683/684 AD at the battle of Kerbala. Sunni observance is a recognition of Moses fasting in gratitude to Allah/God for liberation from oppression.
Eid ul-Adha — Ritual of Sacrifice. The day after Arafat, the most important day in Hajj ritural. A three-day festival recalling Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines on these days. Employees may ask to take a vacation day.
Eid al-Fitr/Eid ul-Fitr — event marking the close of Ramadan. It is a festival of thanksgiving to Allah for enjoying the month of Ramadan. It involves wearing finest clothing, saying prayers, and fostering understanding with other religions. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first day.
Milad un Nabi / Mawlid — Celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Celebrations, communal meals and discussions on Islam usually take place on this day.
1st of Muharram — The first day of the first month of the Muslim year.
Ramadan — 9th month on Islamic calendar, devoted to the commemoration of Muhammad's reception of the divine revelation recorded in the Qur'an. The event begins when authorities in Saudi Arabia sight the new moon of the 9th month. It is the holiest period of the Islamic Year. There is strict fasting from sunrise to sunset. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities, if possible, on the first day of Ramadan. Be aware that students and employees will be fasting during the day for 30 days.

Federal law and Pennsylvania law guarantee the right to worship and reasonable religious accommodation. Please review CAIR Philadelphia's template for requesting off from work or school.

Credit: Alphabetical listing of major observances. All descriptions taken from https://www.interfaith-calendar.org/

Eid al-Fitr

Video Credit: Behind the News, 2020, YouTube.