Community Ramadan-Iftar Observance Planned In Holmdel

HOLMDEL, NJ — The Holmdel Heritage Committee is inviting residents to attend a 2023 Ramadan-Iftar event, sponsored by Muslim businesses and residents of Holmdel.

Heritage Committee Chairperson Chiung-yin C. Liu said the "breaking the fast" event will take place on Thursday, April 13, at the Holmdel Senior/Community Center, 6 Crawford Corners Road.

This event will start with breaking the fast promptly at sunset at 7:34 p.m., followed by a dinner buffet of assorted Middle Eastern dishes and desserts.

This event is open to all Holmdel residents, but space is limited, she advises.

Anyone who would like to attend this event can email Liali Albana holmdel.ramadan@gmail.com for more information. More specifics for sign-up will follow.

The self-funded event is sponsored by Muslim businesses and residents, Liu said.

According to Peace Catalyst International, fasting is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith, and during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from sunrise to sunset. The pre-dawn meal is known as Suhoor, and the fast-breaking meal eaten after sunset is called Iftar.

During Ramadan, common greetings are “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Ramadan Kareem” (meaning “blessed Ramadan” or “happy Ramadan”).

The Ramadan start date for 2023 is expected to begin on Wednesday, March 22, following the sighting of the moon over Mecca. Lasting for 30 days, Ramadan will end on Friday, April 21, with the celebratory days of Eid al-Fitr starting on Saturday April 22 or Sunday April 23. according to Muslim Aid.

One of the reasons the Holmdel Heritage Committee was established by the Holmdel Township Committee in 2022 was to identify opportunities, such as this, to engage the entire community in understanding diverse cultures in the township, its website says.