Ramadhan Celebrations

Over 300 guests gathered on the beautiful evening of July 20th, where The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the Silicon Valley invited to their annual Ramadhan celebration dinner to Baitul Baseer Mosque under the rolling hills in Milpitas.

In the holy month of Ramadhan, Muslims around the world abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset. This has shown to increase focus on worship, charity, and human welfare in an effort to strengthen their relationships with God.  Emphasis is given to the holy book, Quarn by reciting and understanding the message. As Muslims who believe in the promised Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian,  are especially conscious of the sense of sacrifice during this month for the less unfortunate though charity giving.

As a tradition, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Milpitas organized Annual Aftar Dinner at Bailtul Baseer Mosque in Milpitas. This is a great time for the entire community to come together and have discussions about the significance of this month, and on the Muslim faith around the world.  Leaders from various communities, including Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, and Jewish conversed over the similarities in their faiths, and was a great sight to witness. Mayor of Milpitas Jose Esteves welcomed the guests and praised the event, which brings the community together every year. The president of local Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Wasim Mlaik introduced by explaining the background and purpose of the event. He added “the significance of fasting is a kind of sustenance which is a source of comfort and gratification of the soul” .  To trigger the discussions, a community member, Omer Asad brought a closer look on fasting and Ramadhan.

“Ramadan is a time to change one’s attitude towards others; to firmly decide to behave better, to live in kindness and love with others” said the keynote speaker, Imam Mubasher Ahmad of Silicon Valley chapter. 

Right after the ceremony, a melodious call to prayer heralded the braking of the fast.  Serving the attendees with traditional foods such as juice, dates, and Samosas made the event very festive.  Soon after the evening prayer, dinner was served. The evening ended with dessert and traditional tea amidst garden lights which made the moonlight and a light breeze even more appealing.