Ramadan: More Than Fasting

Ramadan is a holy month in Islam in which the Muslim people fast every day from sunrise to sunset. After the sun sets, Muslims can eat and drink. The main purpose of Ramadan is to purify the soul, strengthen faith, and develop empathy for those who are unable to afford food.

Fasting during this month helps us cultivate self-control, compassion, and gratitude. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of patience, humility, and generosity. Ramadan is an opportunity for personal growth, self-improvement, seeking forgiveness for past sins, and for increasing and renewing our spiritual relationship with God.

Ramadan nights are the best time of the year when we spend more time with the family, recite the holy Quran, and celebrate each day together. Families usually gather for Iftar (breaking the fast). During Iftar, we share our food and kindness with other people who live around us.

The month of Ramadan has always held a special place in my heart, especially during my childhood. I can still vividly recall the anticipation and excitement that would fill me as Ramadan approached each year. For my family, Ramadan was a time to come together every day for Iftar and prayers, and it helped us foster a sense of closeness and unity. Our home would be bustling with neighbors bringing dishes to share, creating a joyful atmosphere. My mom (may God have mercy on her) would prepare special meals unique to Ramadan, adding a festive spirit to the month. The community as a whole seemed to radiate happiness during Ramadan. People would gather late at night for prayers, promoting feelings of safety and unity. As I drifted off to sleep each night, comforted by the knowledge that so many were awake and praying, it felt as though peace had descended upon the world.

Now, as a parent myself, I hope to create similar cherished memories for my children during Ramadan. The lessons learned during this holy month are invaluable and shape not only our faith but also our sense of community and love for one another.

When Ramadan finishes, we celebrate Eid El-Fitr for three days in which we have to donate some money and food to others in need and visit our relatives and friends to increase our relationship with the community.

As the month of Ramadan approaches, my wish is that the month brings peace, love, safety, and success to our community in Syracuse and the whole world. Ramadan Kareem!

Mawah Alobaidi

Director of Resettlement Services, Center for New Americans

The Center for Dialogue and Action (CDA) is proud to collaborate with filmmaker, Amanda Eke, on the new docu-series "Growing Pains," focused on asking students across the country their opinions about big issues. Student facilitators from our school dialogue programs will be featured in the pilot episode, which focuses on education. The FREE event will include the 45 min premiere, a panel with Ms. Eke and the students, along with free refreshments, and a great environment! Other project collaborators include the Northside Learning Center, the Community Folk Art Center, and the Engaged Humanities at Syracuse University. We hope many of our supporters and partners will attend!



(A note about the filmmaker: Amanda Eke is an award-winning Nigerian American Artist, Broadcast Journalist/Anchor, Spoken Word Poet, Filmmaker, and Educator. She has won numerous awards including a Fulbright Fellowship for her scholarship and a United Nations Award for her artistry work. To learn more about her work visit amandaeke.com)

OSHA Class Graduation

OSHA 10 training is designed for entry-level workers to learn about workplace safety. Obtaining OSHA 10 certification is often a requirement for construction and other general industries. This particular class was taught by Lisa Brownson, CSP, and it was interpreted into Arabic, which made the class take twice as long. We believe that by helping our clients earn an OSHA 10 card, we can give them an advantage in persuading companies to hire our workers with construction experience but limited English.

New York State Senator Rachel May recently organized a New Americans Roundtable at InterFaith Works. The event aimed to bring together New Americans and community members to discuss the issues and needs of New Americans in our community. During the meeting, the group discussed the challenges that affect us as a whole and brainstormed possible solutions.