header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
April 22
1974 - Gov. Ronald Reagan speaks at dedication of COC's first permanent building, the William G. Bonelli Instructional Resource Center [story]
Ronald Reagan


| Tuesday, Mar 21, 2023
Ornamental Arabic lanterns with burning candles. Glittering golden bokeh lights. Plate with date fruit on the table. Greeting card for Muslim holiday Ramadan Kareem, iftar dinner background.


More than 1 billion Muslims around the world are preparing for Ramadan, and fasting which takes place during the holiday is recognized as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The monthlong observance is expected to begin at sundown on Wednesday, March 22 — a period of reflection, prayer and fasting. This includes many throughout the CSUN community — students, faculty, staff, alumni and families alike.

When Is Ramadan in 2023?

Ramadan, the monthlong holiday where many Muslims fast, is expected to begin at sundown March 22 and end on April 21. The exact time and date of the holiday varies slightly from region to region, depending on the first sighting of the crescent moon.

Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies professor Sumaya Bezrati and her family take part in a special tradition that includes a local hike to kick off the start of the holiday.

“The night before the first day of fasting, I bake cookies and pack them along with some Arabic mint tea and a thermos of hot chocolate for the kids,” Bezrati said. “My family hikes up to the top of the hill in Porter Ranch before sunset … and [we] try to spot the new crescent moon that marks the beginning of Ramadan. When we spot it, usually shortly after sunset, we celebrate and shout out, ‘Ramadan mubarak!’ (blessed Ramadan!). We are joyous and happy. We pray together there and feast on cookies and hot drinks before hiking down the mountain in the dark with flashlights.”

The exact dates of Ramadan differ each year due to the Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar cycle. The holiday takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

What Does the Holiday Celebrate?

Ramadan celebrates the prophet Muhammad receiving the Qur’an’s first verses.

During the holiday, many Muslims abstain from eating, drinking water and having sex from dawn to sunset. In addition to fasting, the holiday focuses on prayer and spending time with family and friends. Ramadan is also a time for individuals to seek out forgiveness for their transgressions. The monthlong celebration concludes with one of the two major holidays in the Islamic faith, Eid al-Fitr.

“For Muslims, Ramadan represents a time for devotion and heightened sense of spirituality that has individual and social implications,” said Mustafa Ruzgar, professor of religious studies. “They engage in a variety of activities ranging from reading and reciting the Qur’an to helping poor and needy people.”

During Eid al-Fitr, which translates to “festival of breaking the fast,” many gather with loved ones while enjoying traditional celebratory foods. Giving to those less fortunate is also encouraged. Eid al-Fitr is expected to begin this year between April 21-23.

Many people are inspired by the holiday to help those in need, Ruzgar said, noting the community comes together to ensure everyone is able to celebrate.

“The spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan will inspire Muslims to engage in charity activities more than other times,” he said. “At the end of Ramadan, those who are eligible give what is called sadaqa/zakat al-Fitr, which is charity specific to Ramadan for the purpose of helping poor people celebrate the festival at the end of Ramadan.”

The holiest night of Ramadan is Laylat al-Qadr, the “Night of Power.” The sacred night, expected to fall on April 18, consists of prayer, self-reflection and performing good deeds.

Does Everyone Fast During Ramadan?

Fasting during Ramadan typically applies to individuals who have reached puberty and are physically capable of abstaining from food and beverage during daylight hours.

Bezrati explained that not eating during Ramadan ensures that people in the community who are in need are better served.

“One of the reasons for fasting is to go without, so that others don’t have to,” she said. “Meaning, if you skip one meal every day, lunch, you can take that meal and give it to someone who is struggling with food insecurity and hunger. Our local mosques will organize food pantry donations, and we distribute them throughout the Valley and greater Los Angeles.”

To prepare for a day of fasting, a pre-dawn meal is encouraged. At the end of each day, the fast is broken with a meal called iftar, which usually includes gathering with family and friends.

Habeba Mostafa, a second-year graduate student in mass communication, explained that breaking the daily fast is one Ramadan tradition she finds quite meaningful, as it allows her to reconnect with her community.

“I appreciate having iftar … and reuniting with people I cherish who I may have not seen all year at the mosque,” Mostafa said. “Usually in our community, families will sponsor and cater food for the night, and anyone is invited to come and share a meal. It’s a time of celebrating another successful day, and preparing, both mentally and physically, for the next.”

What Are CSUN Students and Faculty Looking Forward to This Ramadan?

This year is a particularly important holiday as she looks ahead to graduation, Mostafa said.

“I’m excited to grow this year, not only as a Muslim, but now as a working, graduating graduate student,” she said. “It will be a challenge, but I’m excited to see how much I can handle and remind myself of the internal strength I carry. The month is bigger than all of us, and despite its challenges, there is beauty in that.”

Ruzgar said he’s excited to connect with loved ones during the holiday month while also getting the opportunity to hear a famed Qur’an reciter who is coming to his mosque.

“I am looking forward to celebrating the Ramadan in a way that allows me to connect with my family and friends, some of whom live overseas, on a deeper level,” he said. “I am looking forward to calling them and chatting with them about how their Ramadan is going. In addition, I am looking forward to listening to a new Qur’an reciter our local mosque is inviting from Egypt, who belongs to a family of world-famous Qur’an reciters.”

Bezrati, who said breaking the daily fast reminds her of another holiday, said she’s most looking forward to enjoying all of the holiday-specific foods, some of which her family only gets to enjoy during Ramadan.

“It’s like Thanksgiving, but 30 days in a row! There’s a reason most Muslims gain weight during Ramadan, instead of losing,” she said. “My favorite part of Ramadan is gathering with my friends and family for iftar parties. The parties are sometimes extravagant and sometimes simple, but regardless, that feeling of the first bite of food after not eating for 17 hours is a huge rush.”

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


HIGHER EDUCATION LINKS
LOCAL COLLEGE HEADLINES
Monday, Apr 21, 2025
California State University, Northridge’s Institute of Sustainability will host “Jam in the G.A.R.D.E.N,” Wednesday, April 23 at 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Friday, Apr 18, 2025
ARTnews, an art magazine based in New York City, has captured the past 25 years of the art world at a glance in its recent listing of the 100 best artworks of the 21st century, with several California Institute of the Arts alumni making the cut.
Thursday, Apr 17, 2025
For the fifth consecutive year, the California Institute of the Arts animation programs (Character Animation and Experimental Animation) have collectively earned the top spot in all eligible categories in Animation Career Review’s 2025 Animation School Rankings.
Wednesday, Apr 16, 2025
Southern California has seen a lot of natural phenomena recently — from enormous wildfires and high-speed winds to massive rainfall and landslides — and most recently, a series of small to moderate earthquakes.
Tuesday, Apr 15, 2025
Have you ever looked at the sky and wondered if humans are alone? Have you ever watched a sci-fi show or film and wondered if there really are habitable exoplanets out there like the much beloved Vulcan, Tatooine, or Arrakis?
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1974 - Gov. Ronald Reagan speaks at dedication of COC's first permanent building, the William G. Bonelli Instructional Resource Center [story]
Ronald Reagan
SCVTV will debut a new public access series of video fitness shorts, "Training Tuesdays with M" on Tuesday, April 22. The shorts, two-to-four-minute videos, will air between regular programming at 8:24 a.m., 1:25 p.m., 4:24 p.m. and 4:55 p.m.
SCVTV Debuts New ‘Training Tuesdays with M’ Fitness Shorts
As gardening season blooms across California, officials with the California Department of Food and Agriculture are urging residents to take action to prevent the introduction of invasive fruit flies and other pests, which can threaten backyard gardens and the state’s robust agricultural landscape.
CDFA Urging Residents to Take Precautions During Spring Gardening Season
Legacy Christian Academy, will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special celebration dinner and fundraiser, 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, April 25 at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.
April 25: Legacy Anniversary Dinner, Fashion Show Fundraiser
Activated Events, the premier independent live events company, has announced the lineup for the return of Boots In The Park to Santa Clarita, noon- 10 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at Central Park.
May 10: Return of Boots in the Park at Central Park
The prestigious Bryan Clay Invitational yielded records upon records for The Master's University track and field teams April 16-18. Multiple school records went down including the women's 5000m, men's shot put and the men's 800m.
Record-Breaking Day for TMU Track at Bryan Clay
California State University, Northridge’s Institute of Sustainability will host “Jam in the G.A.R.D.E.N,” Wednesday, April 23 at 12:30-2:30 p.m.
April 23: CSUN Garden Combines Nature, Music for Earth Day
For just the third time in 23 matches, The Master's University men's volleyball team went five sets in a match. And for the third time in 23 matches, the team won, only this time it was for the GSAC Tournament Championship.
Mustangs are Champions of GSAC Men’s Volleyball
The Master's University men's and women's golf teams completed the final round of the GSAC Championship Tournament at Antelope Hills Golf Course North Wednesday afternoon, April 16.
Larson, Ulibarri Named GSAC Players of the Year at Championships
Businesses defined as food generators are invited to an Edible Food Recovery Networking event Friday, April 25, from 8:30-10 a.m. at the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library, 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, 91351, CA.
April 25: Canyon Country Library Edible Food Recovery Event
College of the Canyons softball concluded its season sweep of L.A. Valley College by taking a 9-2 road victory over the Monarchs on Thursday, April 17.
Canyons Moves Conference Streak to Four, Defeats LAVC 9-2
There’s something uniquely powerful about sitting down face to face, sharing a conversation and simply listening to one and another.
Ken Striplin | Santa Clarita Voices: Letting the Conversations Flow
1994 - Sand Canyon homeowner Eddie Murray sets MLB record for switch-hit home runs in games (11 times) [story]
Eddie Murray
1874 - First train out of L.A. to reach new town of San Fernando; Newhall 2 years later [story]
train tunnel
1880 - Pico Oil Spring Mine Section 2 patented by R.F. Baker and Edward F. Beale [story]
E.F. Beale
The Placerita Canyon Nature Center invites the community to a free Open House on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 10: Placerita Canyon Nature Center Open House
College of the Canyons baseball won its third straight game behind five shutout innings from its bullpen and an eighth inning rally that carried the Cougars to a 4-2 victory over Antelope Valley College at Mike Gillespie Field.
Cougars Baseball Dig Out of Early Hole, Defeat AVC 4-2
ARTnews, an art magazine based in New York City, has captured the past 25 years of the art world at a glance in its recent listing of the 100 best artworks of the 21st century, with several California Institute of the Arts alumni making the cut.
CalArtians Named in ARTnews’ Ranking of Century’s 100 Best Artworks
College of the Canyons Swim opened day one of the Western State Conference Championships at Santa Monica College on Thursday, April 17, with the Cougars finishing the opening round of events sixth among the 10 competing programs.
Canyons Swim Competes at Day One of WSC Championships
The third annual Summer Breeze Music Festival is coming to California Institute of the Arts on Saturday, June 7.
June 7: Third Annual Summer Breeze Music Festival
The Santa Clarita City Council will meet in open session on Tuesday, April 22 at City Hall to hold a public hearing regarding a request for a new five-story mixed-use building with 78 housing units and approximately 5,200 square-feet of commercial space to be built on the corner of Main Street, Market Street and Railroad Avenue.
April 22: City Council to Hold Public Hearing on Newhall Mixed Use Project
Santa Clarita’s rich history is built on the vision and dedication of those who laid its foundation, shaping the thriving community we know and love today. Among them was a trailblazer whose contributions deserve lasting recognition— Louis E. Brathwaite, the first Black man elected to public office in our community.
Patsy Ayala | Honoring the Life, Legacy of Louis E. Brathwaite
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Detail is asking for the public’s help locating At-Risk Missing Person, Michael Brandon Scott.
Update: FOUND LASD Seeks Help Locating Missing Valencia Man
1945 - Actors Harry & Olive Carey sell Saugus ranch after 29 years; now Tesoro del Valle [story]
Carey Ranch
SCVNews.com