San Diego Muslims to mark end of Ramadan with new ways to celebrate Eid

Local Muslims committed to maintaining social distancing while celebrating the Muslim holiday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 23, 2020

The Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego (www.mlcsd.org) , an umbrella organization representing over 25 Muslim organizations based in San Diego announced today that Muslims in San Diego County will celebrate Eid tomorrow, May 24, 2020 to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar calendar, in which Muslims worldwide fast from dawn to dusk every day, and focus intensively on prayer, charity and spiritual rejuvenation.

On account of Covid-19 and the need to protect our community and practice physical distancing, Muslims will not be organizing any congregational prayer. Instead we are urging the community to pray at home with their families and tune in to live streamed sermons. As an alternative way to celebrate this Muslim holiday, the community will have a collective celebration through “drive thru Eid fairs,” at various mosques and locations across the county.

“This year’s Eid is like no other, but our community is resilient and just as they observed the blessed month of Ramadan safely, they will continue to lead by example during this holiday as well, ” said Mr. Ghouse Mohammed, Chairman of the Muslim Leadership Council.

“It is deeply sobering to think of all the lives that have been lost due to Covid-19 and many who have been impacted. Our hearts are with all the families that have been impacted by the pandemic and its economic fallout,” said Imam AbdelJalil Mezgouri of the Islamic Center of San Diego (ICSD).

“Our faith commands us to protect lives and that is exactly what we will do this Eid by not opening the doors of our mosques.” “It is heartening to see community members step up to help fellow citizens through Muslim Leadership Council’s Warm Meals Program, which was launched on March 24 and continued throughout the month of Ramadan ” said Imam Taha Hassane, also of ICSD.

Muslim Leadership Council congratulates all Muslims on this festive occasion and wishes everyone a joyous and safe Eid. We remain committed to working towards interfaith understanding, community building and civic engagement for the betterment of San Diego County.

For more information or for media coverage, please contact Muslim Leadership Council at info@mlcsd.org

The constituent organizations of the Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego are as follows: Islamic Center of San Diego, Muslim American Society San Diego chapter, Council on American-Islamic Relations-San Diego chapter, Somali Family Services, Masjid Taqwa, Muslim Community Center of San Diego, Islamic Center of Eastlake, Islamic Community Center, Muslim Community Services of San Diego, We Love Our Neighbors, IQRAA Academy of San Diego, Masjid As Salaam, North County Islamic Foundation, Pillars of The Community San Diego, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, ICNA Relief, Latina Muslim Foundation, PAASAND, Huda Community Center, United Women of East Africa, Masjid Al-Ittehad.

CONTACT:

Muslim Leadership Council of San Diego

Phone/fax: (858) 247 2396

Email: info@mlcsd.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mlcsd/