Merced Muslims celebrate end of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr

Hundreds of Muslims packed into the Islamic Center of Merced on Friday morning to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.

The celebration began at 8 a.m. at the Ashby Road mosque where men and women in separate rooms listened to the imam speak in three languages about charity and the other pillars of Islam.

People of all descents – Saudis, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Asians, Hispanics and Caucasians – removed their shoes before entering the mosque, where they worshiped, prayed, greeted each other with hugs and kisses – and then feasted.

The first Eid is celebrated at the end of Islam’s holy month of fasting and when the lunar calendar begins. Though charity is a pillar of Islam, it is considered a mandatory practice during Eid.

As Merced imam Sanaullah Hussain put it: “This is the month of reward. We are celebrating because we will reap our reward. Our happiness is not in celebrating worldly things. It is in celebrating what we will get in the hereafter.”

During Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours. Osman Elhanafy, who attended the Eid al-Fitr celebration Friday, said fasting helps Muslims understand those less fortunate. “The poor have no food,” he said. “They spend hours without eating or drinking. We feel what they feel. Ramadan gives you something to learn.”

Gameelah Eltareb said Ramadan is “a time to reflect on life and what God has given us.” And, “It’s a time to correct some things.”

Eltareb was among the room full of women dressed in traditional clothing and chanting, “Allahu akbar,” or “God is great.” She was grateful for the opportunity to worship in a place close to home.

“When we were young, we had to go to Sacramento to pray,” she said. “It was my father’s dream to be able to pray just around the block. It shows that in this country, with a little bit of effort and imagination, you can make it happen.”

The Islamic Center of Merced was established more than 20 years and originated as a house. Chaudhry Anwar said he has been praying at the mosque for years and has watched the Muslim community in Merced County grow. People from all over the county, and even from Fresno and Madera, worship at the mosque in Merced.

When Ayesha Lor, a Hmong woman from Atwater, converted to Islam 13 years ago, she said she searched high and low for a place of worship. She and her husband were delighted to find the Islam Center of Merced. “I didn’t realize this mosque was here, and I drove by it every day,” she said.

Hussain said the Muslims in Merced County are “very faithful and devoted to the religion, and they’re very peaceful.” He expressed appreciation for the freedom to practice any religion in America.

As for the future of Merced’s Muslim community, Hussain hopes the future generations will build interfaith connections with other churches in the region.

“People have a misconception of Islam,” he said. “It is about unity and common ground. We hope to show people that.”

This story was originally published July 17, 2015 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Merced Muslims celebrate end of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr."