More than 160 Muslims and distinguished guests attended the San Quentin Eid-Ul-Fitr banquet, celebrating the end of the sacred month of Ramadan where all able adherents of the Islamic faith refrain from food and drink during daylight hours for approximately 30 days.
Members of the San Quentin Muslim community who were allowed to participate gathered into the Lower Yard module, joining in prayer and listening to the wisdom of noted scholars and guests who attended the event.
Eid-Ul-Fitr translated to English literally means celebration of “breaking the fast” and is a one-day festival where Muslim come together to thank God, share the message of peace, ask forgiveness, give charity for those who are less fortunate, buy gifts for children and gather with family and friends in prayer.
“It has moved my heart to see so many of you (prisoners) united in the cause of Allah,” said Imam Hamza, a South African-taught scholar from a Mosque across San Francisco Bay in Richmond. “You are worshiping in a time of hardship.”
Of the more than 200 Muslims at San Quentin who fasted this year for Ramadan, 95 were recognized for participating in a religious study course taught each evening during Ramadan in the Islamic Chapel by scholar Sheikh Atikur-Rahman. The 60-hour course was recognized and sanctioned by the Tayba Foundations Distance Learning Program. It is the first such course in a United States prison.
“This is a historical event. Never in the history of San Quentin has this many people graduated from a program held in a chapel and sanctioned by an outside Islamic organization,” the Sheikh reminded the graduates.
The Sheikh also shared the Quranic command that says, “Remind them of the days of God,” when divine mercy and divine guidance interact with the daily affairs of Muslims, helping to guide them on a path of success and growth.
After the guests spoke on the blessings that Muslims receive for fasting, the men where treated to a large meal including beef, chicken and rice, much of which was donated by the outside Muslim community.
The Eid-Ul-Fitr is a day of peace where Muslims make peace with God; a day of victory where Muslims overcome the basic human desires for food, water and sex and a day of forgiveness where Muslims are forgiven for their transgressions. The combination of these elements makes this day special in Muslim tradition all around the world, according to Islamic belief.
