Ramadan Celebrated At West Orange Town Hall: 'Warmth, Joy And Togetherness'

WEST ORANGE, NJ — An annual Ramadan celebration recently returned for a third year in West Orange.

The annual Ramadan Crescent Moon Lighting took place at Town Hall on Feb. 7.

“While the freezing cold weather tried to keep us on our toes, it certainly couldn’t dampen our spirits,” organizers wrote on social media. “Thanks to the quick thinking and support of our mayor, the event was swiftly moved indoors — and what could have been a chilly evening turned into one filled with warmth, joy, and togetherness.”

“We are so grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate and to the township leadership for their continued support,” organizers said. “Moments like these remind us how special it is to gather as neighbors and friends.”

Ramadan takes place on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on lunar cycles, so the exact dates change every year. The holy month is one of the most sacred times of the year for Muslims, marked by fasting, prayer and reflection.

Ramadan began on the evening of Feb. 17 this year.

Unfamiliar with the holiday? The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) has released a guide to “Understanding Ramadan and Eid,” which can be seen online here.

According to CAIR-NJ:

“Fasting from dawn to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, with Muslims refraining from food, drink and other physical needs during daylight hours. The fast is broken each evening with a meal called Iftar, often shared with family, friends and community. Eid ul-Fitr, or the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast,’ is the celebration immediately after the conclusion of Ramadan. It is a joyous occasion of gratitude, family gatherings and community engagement.”

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