Detroit Evening Report: Muslims across metro Detroit begin holy month of Ramadan
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Muslim community members in metro Detroit and around the world began observing the month of Ramadan on Monday.
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The start of Ramadan — considered the holiest month on the Islamic calendar — traditionally depends on the sighting of the crescent moon. Muslim communities may start Ramadan on different days due to declarations by multiple Islamic authorities around the globe on whether the crescent has been sighted.
Michigan is home to about 300,000 Muslims from all walks of life. Those who observe Ramadan will fast from dawn until dusk for 29-30 days, depending on the moon sighting.
The holiday is a celebration of the month in which God revealed the first verses of the Quran to the prophet Muhammad. In the Islamic faith, fasting is considered an obligatory act of worship. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims also increase other acts of worship such as reading the Quran, feeding others and giving charity.
At the end of the month, Muslims celebrate one of their major holidays called Eid ul-Fitr, or the “Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.”
This year, NPR polled more than 600 readers who celebrate the holiday to ask about their Ramadan prayers.
The news outlet reported that readers overwhelmingly wished for a ceasefire in Gaza, as more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Hundreds of readers also included prayers for peace in other areas of the world, as well as the release of all hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7.
Ramadan ends this year on April 9.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Other headlines for Monday, March 11, 2024:
- The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation announced it is relaunching the Green Grocer Project to increase walkable access to fresh and healthy food options in Detroit neighborhoods.
- Several town halls will be held by the Detroit Reparations Task Force this week to gather stories of racial inequality from the African American community.
- Detroit’s Board of Police Commissioners will host a community stakeholders meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14 at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church Community Center, 3350 W Davison St., Detroit. People can also join via Zoom or by phone at 312-626-6799.
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.
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