Aurora-Area Muslims To Observe Ramadan Amid Pandemic For 2nd Year

AURORA, IL — Starting this week, Muslims will participate in the holy month of Ramadan, where they will partake in acts of charity, prayer and fasting from dawn until dusk.

In Islam, Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, which is 29-30 days each year. The holy month is observed during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, also known as the Lunar Calendar, which is approximately 354-355 days in a calendar year.

Because Ramadan follows the Lunar Calendar and not the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan starts around 11 days earlier each year. That means someone who is 33 years old has experienced Ramadan in every season.

Fasting involves abstaining from food, drinks and intimacy, among other acts.

Ramadan is important in Islam because it is the month Muslims believe the Muslim holy book, known as the Quran, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Only those who are healthy are to partake in fasting.

Pregnant women, people with health-related concerns or illnesses, the elderly and prepubescent children are not obligated to fast.

Muslims follow what is known as the five pillars of Islam, which include fasting, the declaration of faith, prayers, charity and the Hajj pilgrimage. In a normal, non-COVID world, many Muslims would congregate after breaking their fast at dusk, praying side-by side.

The Fox Valley Muslim Community Center, 1187 Timberlake Dr., is set to open at Isha time for the first night of Ramadan. Hafiz Mohammad Ali will lead taraweeh, according to the center's website.

This is the second time Muslims will participate in Ramadan amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Islamic leaders have said it is permissible for Muslims to receive a COVID-19 vaccine on the days they fast.

"The vaccine does not break the fast, as it is not food," The Prayer Center of Orland Park Imam Kifah Mustapha told Patch. "We are holding the second vaccine shot in our vaccine drive April 13 at the [mosque], which is the first day of Ramadan."

Are you a Muslim participating in Ramadan? Decorating your home? Have a special Ramadan tradition you'd like to share? Send your photos, traditions and more to yasmeen.sheikah@patch.com to be featured in a round-up of Chicagoland Ramadan celebrations.

— Yasmeen Sheikah, Patch Staff, contributed to this article.