Brooklyn Park is one of the most culturally rich areas in the Midwest with more than one-fifth of its residents having been born in other countries. The unexpected cultural richness is what makes Brooklyn Park a vibrant city.
One of our Brooklyn Park 2025 goals is United Community. Through this goal, we are striving to connect neighbors to understand and celebrate our unique cultures. We will also ensure our community’s activities, events and services are inclusive, multi-cultural and accessible.
Throughout the year, we will share different events with you, whether it’s through our Recreation and Parks department’s “Celebrate Brooklyn Park” series or through other avenues, to embrace our diverse community.
We want to learn more about your cultural community celebrations! If you’d like to share information about your favorite holidays or are hosting a community event, please send an email to communications@brooklynpark.org.
When is Ramadan?
Ramadan follows the lunar calendar and the dates shift slightly each year. This year, 2022 Ramadan is expected to take place April 2 to May 2. Ramadan begins when the moon is sighted and ends after 29-30 days on a holiday called Eid. Eid is the Arabic word for “festival” and is often celebrated with prayer, food, new clothes, gifts, and visiting relatives throughout the three-day holiday.
How is Ramadan observed?
The most well-known element of Ramadan is fasting from dawn to dusk for all healthy adult Muslims. This means Muslims do not eat or drink (no, not even water!) during daylight hours. At sunset, the daily fast ends, and the evening meal begins. People frequently have large gatherings to break the fast and enjoy a meal called an iftar, sharing the occasion with friends and family.
It is also encouraged to do extra acts of worship and prayer during Ramadan. Every night, prayers called tarawih are held at the mosque and can last for 1.5-2 hours. During the last 10 days some Muslims will stay awake through the night or attend the mosque more frequently than any other time of year. Another Ramadan goal for many Muslims is to read the Qur’an, the 600-pg Islamic holy book, in its entirety.
Ramadan is a month of generosity and doing good deeds. Muslims will often give extra charity and many choose this month to give zakat, an obligatory charity on excess wealth that is due once a year. Many Muslim organizations and mosques will hold fundraisers during Ramadan because generosity and giving of wealth is so highly encouraged. Muslims will also often observe an “internal fast” and work to build better habits during this month, such as avoiding arguing, gossiping and backbiting, or being more mindful of spending their time doing good deeds.
Muslims live and practice in cultures around the world, so there is a wide variety of foods and traditions that can be part of each person’s observance of Ramadan. In general, Muslims are encouraged to be the best version of themselves during this month, to fast, give in charity, increase prayer and practice self-control.
How can I support Muslim neighbors, residents and coworkers?
Wish Muslims “Ramadan Mubarak” or “Ramadan Kareem,” both of which are traditional ways of wishing others a blessed month.
Check with your local mosque to join a community iftar. Muslims often share food during this month, so feel free to make or join in a meal with your neighbors at sunset!
Visit the Islamic Resource Group (IRG) website to schedule a presentation or view videos where local Muslims talk about how they observe this holy month.