Ramadan is ending this week. How communities decide when to celebrate

Muslim students and faculty staff offer evening prayers in the month of Ramadan at Harvey Mudd College on Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Claremont. “Those schools of thought are held by Muslim communities here in Los Angeles, what this means is some communities start Ramadan differently from other communities,” Ricci said. “The sunset is the demarcation point between one day to the next, so starting tonight at sunset we’ll mark the transition out of the month of Ramadan and for the first day of the new month,” Ricci said Tuesday. For example, the Islamic Center of Yorba Linda last month announced it was canceling its annual Eid festival and holding a conference instead to raise awareness about continued violence in Gaza, “in light of the devastating loss of lives and widespread destruction of infrastructure in Palestine.” “The typical fanfare surrounding Eid is subdued, with fewer announcements of celebratory picnics and other events,” said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR’s office in Los Angeles. “Even if we wanted to celebrate, it’s hard to fully celebrate when surrounded by people crushed over the loss of their loved ones.” Ayloush said many community members have voiced feeling guilt that they are safe, with food and drink and loved ones around them, while Palestinians in Gaza are facing unprecedented death and destruction.