Muslims prepare for Ramadan

Deepa Bharath

Local Muslims expect today will be the first day of the month of

Ramadan, a time of fasting, introspection and prayer.

During this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from food

and water during the daytime, said Imam Mostafa Al-Qazwini, who heads

the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County in Costa Mesa.

“We break our fast only a few minutes after sunset,” he said.

It’s a season “of unity, peace, sharing and serving the poor,”

Qazwini said. Muslims believe Ramadan was handed down by God to the

Prophet Muhammad.

Ramadan begins with the sighting of the crescent moon in the

evening sky. A few designated imams around the country “sight the

prefect crescent,” and that sighting marks the beginning of Ramadan,

Qazwini said. The day is not fixed every year because the crescent

moon could be seen within a few days of a new moon.

“It’s a time to exercise self-control and self-discipline,” he

said. “We control our desires, eating, drinking and even sexual

activity. It’s an attempt to polish the soul and give a boost to our

intellectual and spiritual development.”

The Costa Mesa congregation comprises 1,000 families from all over

Southern California, the Imam said.

During these 29 days, the Costa Mesa center will be open every

night from 7 to 9 p.m. for recitations from the Koran and special

prayers for the month of Ramadan. Those will be followed by a lecture

that will focus on a chapter of the Koran each day, Qazwini said.

Also, at 5:15 p.m. every Sunday during the month, the center will

give free meals to the poor, he said.

“We ask our members that they give at least $10 to charity during

this month,” he said. “We believe that will provide one person with

one good meal in this area.”

The last day of the holy month will be a “day of celebration,”

Qazwini said.

For Saideh Khan, a member of the Costa Mesa center, Ramadan

signifies “a time to give and share.”

“It’s also about cleansing my soul and disciplining my body,” she

said. “We try to break our fast with someone whom we don’t see that

often so we can get to know them better.”

Khan said she also plans to donate to charity and provide meals

“to those who cannot feed themselves.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.