In the lunar calendar, Ramadan is recognized as the month in which God spoke the Holy Scriptures to the Prophet Mohammed. Observing the daytime fast in the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, along with the Profession of Faith (in one God), Prayers (five times a day), Almsgiving (donating to charity for those in need), and a Pilgrimage to Mecca (if possible financially and physically). The daily fast begins at dawn and concludes at sundown. Every night there is a shared meal, called iftar. It is shared in the family home or in community at the mosque.

Our longtime UUSS member Tiffany Urness was a college student in Algeria in 1966. She participated in her first Ramadan fast at age 22, and prepared Iftar with her host family’s teenage girls. And the family’s oldest son became her first husband!

Islam is a global faith tradition, with 1.8 billion Muslims around the world. It reflects the variety of cultures and colors of each of the countries and continents on which it is practiced. Islam originated 1,442 years ago in what is now Saudi Arabia. This is why its holy scriptures are in the Arabic language. Like Judaism and Christianity, it is an Abrahamic faith, and it considers the scriptures and major figures of those religions to be part of its heritage. Some of our UUSS families have Muslim relatives or in-laws, and some of our congregants are UUs who also claim a Muslim identity. There are a also a number of young UU ministers who have a Muslim background and/or practice.

To our Muslim neighbors and to our UU friends who also hold a Muslim identity, we wish a Blessed Ramadan: Ramadan Mubarak!