End of Ramadan Celebration: Chaand Raat Night at Asbury Church

Janan Hassanali | Writer

Vendors set up and get ready for the community to join.

The end of the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims all over the world comes with celebrations to finish off their fasting month this year. The Islamic community Al-Ahad, located in Allentown, joined together to celebrate their fasting month being over. 

 On Saturday March 28, the community threw a Chaand Raat Night. Chaand Raat, meaning the night of the moon, is dependent on the moon sighting that is done for the Islamic lunar calendar. It indicates when the month of Ramadan begins and ends. The event featured clothing vendors, all types of traditional food and drinks, games, and face painting. 

Ramadan is month nine of the Islamic calendar, where Muslims do not permit eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset for 30 days. Days are spent with family and loved ones commemorating their time to worship out of the pureness of their hearts.

 Asiyah Bhallo, a local resident within the community explains why it's important to understand why this happens. 

“Out of our busy daily lives, we get a month, only one month a year, to fully give back and rejuvenate our lives from the inside and out,” she said. “We cleanse our bodies, our minds, and our souls. We learn to give back as much as we can and to whomever we can. It's a month where we try to strengthen our relationship and faith in Allah.”

Every year families and communities look forward to the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, Eid-AL-Fitr, where everyone unites at events and gatherings being thrown and hosted for the special occasion. 

Al-Ahad, one of the many mosques that hosts, has been under construction since the middle of 2022. The Muslim community has been attending and hosting their typical lectures and events at Asbury United Methodist Church.

Karim Rajmohamed shared their thoughts on this experience. 

“I think it was tough at first adjusting  but then it became apparent overtime everything works out and we are blessed to have another community of another faith to take us in.”

Despite not hosting Ramadan celebrations at their mosque, members of Al-Ahad say the festivities brought the community together.