Northbrook Muslims To Partake In Ramadan Amid COVID-19 Again

NORTHBROOK, IL — Yes, not even water. Beginning Tuesday, Muslims all over the world will participate in the holy month of Ramadan, where they will partake in acts of charity, prayer and most notably, 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. Meaning someone who is 33 years old would have experienced Ramadan in every season.
Fasting involves abstaining from food, any consumption of liquid 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 pre-pubescent children are not obligated to fast.

In the religion, 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.

At the Islamic Cultural Center of Greater Chicago, 1810 Pfingston Road, Northbrook, the first therapy will be served at 9:15 p.m. Monday, April 12th, and will worship throughout the month of Ramadan.

In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Center will be able to receive up to 50 people in the mosque for jacia and terava spread.

Also, in order to limit longer stay in the mosque, this year attendees will bow to the terrava spread of eight rivers.

All measures against the spread of Covid-19 remain in effect, including registration upon entry, wearing masks and taking prayers on your own seats.

Lejletul Kadr is May 8. The Center's Imam will hold a shorter lecture in our mosque, which will be broadcasted on Facebook.

Ramadan Bayram is on Thursday, May 13, God willing. Bayram will bow down this year at the mosque at 7:30 a.m. Sabah prayer will worship at 5:10. Bajram program with zikra, ilahijas and lecture will begin at 6:30. Imam will hold only one hutba in Arabic, English and Bosnian.
The first 50 people will be able to enter the mosque on Bayram, while the rest will be able to perform prayer and listen to the hutba in the mosque parking lot.

After Bajram prayer, members of the Center's jam will visit the mezarje in Skoki, where Jasin will be studied at 9 a.m.

As in previous years, the Islamic Cultural Center in Northbrook will collect rabbit and sadekatul fitr. The Center is asking members to measure their religious obligation and measure the payment of zekatul and fitra on time. The amount of fitter seed for this year is $10 per person, or more, depending on the possibility of the giver.

This is the second time Muslims will participate in Ramadan amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prayer Center of Orland Park Imam Kifah Mustapha 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," 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 celebratory article.