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Zain Moosani was a different man Friday morning than he was a month ago at the start of Ramadan.
"Ramadan is kind of a way for me to get closer to God and cleanse myself," Moosani said of the Muslim tradition of fasting, introspection and prayer that ended Thursday night. "It's a time for me to become a better father, a better husband, to reflect on my past and what I've done, and how to improve."
Moosani was among scores of area Muslims who attended a congregational prayer service at Stamford's Hampton Inn & Suites on Friday to mark the conclusion of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid Al-Fitr. A number of participants, like Stamford resident Moosani, were from Fairfield County. Several also traveled from as far as New York and New Jersey, said Imam Kareem Adeeb, who led the service.
During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims focus on reflection, cleansing, self-sacrifice, spirituality and God. Fasting occurs every day from sunrise to sunset. The Eid Al-Fitr service Friday morning initiated the three-day "break-the-fast" holiday and celebrated the beginning of a new month.
"It's one of the times when we get together as community members and have meals," Moosani said as he kept watch over his 2-year-old daughter, Zahra. He focused on reading the Quran more as one of his self-improvement areas throughout Ramadan.
"Let's hope that all good habits you've acquired during Ramadan, you don't let them go," Adeeb said at the conclusion of the prayer service. He mentioned recent anti-Muslim events such as protests over a community center in New York and one minister's headline-grabbing intention to burn the holy book and said Muslims should remember, "Islam is a religion of moderation and mercy. This should govern our behavior."
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