Dear All

Since we are in the spirit of holidays, I would like to wish you all
happy holidays and prosperous new year.

As a muslim, we also have holidays that I thought in the spirit of
diversity in this wonderful group that I would introduce you to
them.

2000/2001 Islamic Holidays

Ramadan: November 27, 2000 - December 26, 2000
For over 1.2 billion Muslims throughout the world, Ramadan is a
special month of the year. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast
from dawn to sunset every day. Ramadan was the month in which the
first verses of the holy Qur'an were revealed to Prophet Mohammad
(Peace Be Upon Him). It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to
God and self-control. The sighting of the new moon at the end of
Ramadan heralds the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr.


Eid-ul-Fitr: December 27, 2000, Shawwal 1, 1421
The celebration at the end of Ramadan is called 'Eid-ul-Fitr (the
Festival of Fast-Breaking). It is a joyous occasion, similar to
Christmas in its celebration but with strong religious significance.
The giving of a special charity for this occasion is obligatory.
Muslims dress in holiday attire, attend a special community prayer in
the morning, and visit friends and relatives. Greetings of "'Eid
mubarak," or "a blessed 'Eid" are exchanged. In some places, children
are given gifts or money by their parents and relatives.


The celebration of 'Eid-ul-Fitr lasts three days, although the main
festivities occur on the first day. Students and workers of all ages
take time off from school and work whenever possible. Muslims in the
United States are trying to gain recognition of 'Eid-ul-Fitr, one of
their two main festivals, as an official holiday.

Hajj: February 25, 2001 / Dhul-Hijjah 1, 1421
The Hajj, or pilgrimage to Makkah is a central duty of Islam whose
origins date back to the time of Prophet Abraham (PBUH). It brings
together Muslims of all races and tongues for one of life's most
moving spiritual experiences. For 14 centuries, muslims from all over
the world will converge on Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the Hajj or
Islamic pilgrimage. Each year, roughly two million followers of the
Islamic faith participate in the pilgrimage, which constitutes the
world's largest international gathering.


One of the five "pillars" or essential acts of worship in Islam, the
Hajj is obligatory at least once in a Muslim's lifetime, if
conditions permit. The purpose of the pilgrimage is the same for
every pilgrim who makes the journey: the worship of God at the Sacred
House in Mecca, the Kabah. According to the Qur'an, the sacred
scripture of Islam, believed to have been revealed by God to Prophet
Muhammad in the sixth century of the Christian era, the Kabah was
built by the Prophet Abraham and his son, Ishmael, also a prophet, in
ancient times. Abraham instituted the pilgrimage and established its
rites around the Sacred House. Many centuries later, these rites were
re-established by Muhammad.


The most important day of the pilgrimage is the ninth day of the
Islamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. On this Day of Arafat , the huge throng
of pilgrims spends the afternoon at the vast Plain of Arafat,
believed to be a prototype of the gathering place of the Last
Judgment, praying for God's forgiveness and mercy. They then move on
to the next station of the pilgrimage.

The Hajj is a profound spiritual experience for Muslims, taking them
back to the origin of their God- centered faith in the prophet
Abraham. It is also a time of experiencing the brotherhood and
equality of humanity. It was this experience that led Malcolm X to
cast aside his racist views and embrace what he called the "oneness
of Man. . . under one God."

Eid-ul-Adha: March 6, 2001 / Dhul-Hijjah 10, 1421
The Festival of Sacrifice, 'Eid ul-Adha, immediately follows the Day
of Arafat (see above). This festival is celebrated throughout the
Muslim world as a commemoration of Prophet Abraham's willingness to
sacrifice everything for God, including the life of his son Ishmael.
Because God spared Ishmael, substituting a sheep in his stead,
Muslims commemorate this occasion by slaughtering an animal and
distributing its meat among family, friends and the needy as a
special act of charity for the occasion. Because of this, many poor
Muslims are able to enjoy the unusual luxury of eating meat during
the four days of the festival.


Islamic New Year: March 26, 2001 / Muhararam 1, 1422 The Islamic
year is based on the lunar cycle, consisting of twelve months of 29
or 30 days each, totaling 353 or 354 days. Each new month begins at
the sighting of a new moon. Actual dates may differ by a day or two
from the above dates. In many places, the moon-sighting is often
determined in advance by astronomical calculations.

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Olive mentioned in the Quran:

Quran - The Light 24:35 "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the
earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and
within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a
brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the
east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire
scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah guides whom He will to His
Light: Allah sets forth Parables for men: and Allah knows all things."

Quran - The Believers 23:20 "Also a tree springing out of Mount
Sinai, which produces oil, and relish for those who use it for food."


Best wishes
Jamal Sadoun