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From everyone at ING, we wish all those who are observing Ramadan a blessed month! Wednesday, May 16th, marks the beginning of Ramadan, which Muslims believe is the month in which the Qur’an was first revealed. It is a communal time of fasting and extra worship, during which Muslims invite family and friends of all faiths to join in breaking the daily fast. Ramadan’s main purpose is to grow in God consciousness. The fasting from food and water and extra worship are reminders to commit more fully to doing good works, especially caring for those most in need around us. Read below for Corporate and School tools on Ramadan for your use, and how to get involved in the Bay Area Hunger Awareness Campaign during Ramadan.
Teach About Ramadan With Our Free Tools
For better or worse, young American Muslims are often called on in class to explain their religious beliefs. With Ramadan falling during the school year this year, those requests have increased. That’s why we created a special version of our Ramadan presentation for the teen American Muslims in the INGYouth program. Parents, encourage your children to suggest to their teachers that they give their classmates a presentation on Ramadan.
Increased public demand for ING speakers during Ramadan prompted us to release a free online presentation, “An Overview of Ramadan and Fasting,” that depicts Ramadan observances around the world, explores the purpose and goals of fasting, and looks at a day in the life of a fasting person. It also addresses some of the challenges involved in accommodating fasting employees, so if your workplace is trying to figure out Ramadan observances, make sure they know about this special presentation! Also check out our Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Islam.
Bay Area Muslims Take on Hunger in Ramadan
In Islam, as in all religions, there are numerous scriptural injunctions about the importance of feeding the hungry. Most famous among them is the prophetic saying, “He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes hungry.”
Because of the great need for public awareness about hunger in the region and the nation, Bay Area Muslim communities have partnered with People Acting in Community Together (PACT) and other interfaith allies to address the issue of hunger during Ramadan. Learn more at the campaign page. Feel free to share and distribute the campaign flyers on hunger awareness.
Upcoming Ramadan Events with ING
Ramadan Presentation for Hospital Chaplains:
May 15th in San Francisco
Fasting during Ramadan presents unique challenges in hospital environments, where food, water, and medication are controlled on tight timelines. ING Content Manager Ameena Jandali will deliver a special presentation about Ramadan for chaplains at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital to help them understand these religious observances and how to work with Muslim patients to provide a safe, inclusive healthcare experience.
Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes:
May 17th in San Francisco
ING Content Manager Ameena Jandali will deliver one of ING’s core presentations, “Muslim Women Beyond the Stereotypes,” for a group of docents at the Legion of Honor, part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The presentation covers the role of Muslim women and Islam’s view of women — some of the most widely misunderstood and misrepresented aspects of the religion.
Special Presentation on Ramadan:
May 19th in Santa Cruz
ING Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi will deliver a special presentation on Ramadan observances for the Resource Center for Nonviolence. She will discuss the purpose and goals of fasting and a look at a day in the life of a fasting person. Following her presentation, ING speaker Ismael Nass-Duce will demonstrate the adhan, or Muslim call to prayer, and provide an explanation of how Muslims read their holy book, the Qur’an.
The History and Work of ING:
May 21st in San Jose
ING Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi will deliver a special presentation on the history and work of ING over the past 25 years for the Kiwanis Club of San Jose.
Ramadan Dinner at Calvary Presbyterian Church:
May 23rd in San Francisco
ING Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi will deliver our special presentation “An Overview of Ramadan and Fasting” for the San Francisco Ramadan Dinner hosted by the Pacifica Institute and Calvary Presbyterian Church.
Islamic Cultural Center Ramadan Open House:
May 26th in Oakland
ING Executive Director Maha Elgenaidi will be the guest speaker for the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California’s annual Ramadan Interfaith Open House. The open house features an iftar (fast-breaking) celebration where Maha will offer her reflection on spiritual and physical hunger during Ramadan.
Find more upcoming events here.
