The Muslim community at California Institution for Women (CIW) observed the holy month of Ramadan this year thanks to outside organizations.
Abu Ishaq Abdul-Hafiz, Imam at Masjid Al-Shareef in Long Beach, and Arjumand Khan, representing Muslim Community Center – East Bay in Oakland, donated 30 boxes of dates for more than 60 incarcerated people at CIW who participated in the Fast of Ramadan.
While most were fasting for religious purposes, some participated in the fast to demonstrate their solidarity with the Islamic community. Others participated because of the health benefits.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the month in which Muslims complete a religious fast from before the sunrise prayer until just before the sunset prayer. They begin and end the day’s fast with the fruit. The observance is in recognition of God’s revelation of the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an is the Muslims’ holy book – the scriptural foundation of the Muslims’ religion and way of life. This year the Holy Month of Fasting was held for 30 days during March and April.
This is the third year the group has provided dates for this monthlong holiday. They have also provided hijab (religious head coverings) for the current population, for those who transfer from the county jail, and for those who have come into CIW from Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla.
The Hajjah Project, a Southern California philanthropic organization that sponsors women making the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, in the past has also supported the CIW community with head coverings, dates and religious literature. The Hajjah Project is in its third year of operation.
The Muslim community at CIW is appreciative of such support from the California religious community.
Story submitted by Lt. William Newborg
Photo by Delinia Lewis, Chief Deputy Warden
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