CLIFTON CITY – Celebrating the city’s rich Muslim community, more than 100 people gathered on Saturday, June 3, outside Clifton City Hall, New Jersey, to light an 11-foot lantern to mark the arrival of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
“It’s a very celebratory moment for us as Muslims,” Imam Osamah Salhia, of the Islamic Center of Passaic County, told North Jersey.com.
“We see it as a great sign in a time of division and polarity. It’s great to see members of our city to come together to express unity. I thank God for that.”
Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, started on Saturday, May 27.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint and good deeds.
At a time of rising anti-Muslim sentiments, Muslims see the first Ramadan lighting in the city as a sign of acceptance and recognition of their growing presence in the city.
The crowd cheered when the lantern was lit, then rushed to get home for the iftar.
“It’s the right thing to do,” said Clifton Mayor James Anzaldi.
“No matter what anybody says inside and outside of our community, it’s the right thing to do to celebrate everybody.”
Anzaldi likened the lantern lighting to public celebrations of other faiths, like the lighting of the Christmas tree or menorah for Hanukkah.
Nina Odatalla said the lantern with the words Ramadan Mubarak — a greeting that means ‘have a blessed Ramadan’ — made people feel happy and like they belong.
“We are part of the landscape of America. It’s just like the American flag and the Christmas tree and the menorah. Those are symbols of major world religions and this is a symbol for us,” said Odatalla, who is an assistant principal in Teaneck.
Fahim Abedrabbo, a school board member and Clifton’s first Muslim elected official, said the event was a sign of Clifton’s history as a diverse and welcoming community.
“Clifton has always been open-minded in accepting various religious and multicultural communities,” said Abedrabbo, an organizer of the event.