Madni Islamic Center & Mosque

Ramadan:

Islam's holiest month, Ramadan is observed through many events. As Muslim must fast during the day during Ramadan, mosques will host iftar dinners after sunset and fourth required prayer of the day that is Magrib. Food is provided, at least in part, by members of the community thereby creating daily dinners. Because of the community contribution necessary to serve iftaar dinners, mosques with smaller congregation may not be able to host the iftaar dinner daily. Some mosque will also hold suhur meals before dawn to congregants attending the first required prayer of the day, fajr. As with iftaar dinners, congregants usually provide the food for suhur, although able mosque may provide food instead. Mosque will often invite poor members of the muslim community to share in beginning and breaking the fasts, as providing charity during Ramadan is regard in Islam as especially honourable.

Following the last obligatory daily prayer (Isha) special, optional Tarawih prayers are offered in mosques. During each night of prayers, which can last for upto two hours each night, usually one member of the community (Imam or Religious worker), who has memorized the entire Quran (a Hafiz) will react a segment of the book. Sometimes, several such people(not necessary of the local community) take turns to do this. During the last 10 days of Ramadan, mosque will host all night programs to observe Laylat al-Qadr, the night muslims belive that Muhammad first recieved Quranic revelations. On that night, between sunset and sunrise mosques Religious worker educate congregants in attendance about Islam. Mosque or the community provide usually provide meals periodically throughout the night. During the last 10 days of Ramadan, mosque within the muslim community will host I'tikaf, a prctice in which at least one muslim man from the community must participate. Muslims performing I'tikaf are required to stay within the mosque for 10 consecutive days, often in worship or learning about Islam. As a reasult, the rest of the muslim community is responsible for providing the participants with food, drinks, whatever else they need during their stay.