ICNYU Ramadan: Moonsighting Update
Join us and experience what community should feel like!
salaam alaykum,
Praying that you and your loved ones are well as we approach the sacred month of blessing, mercy and forgiveness. On behalf of the IC, we are looking forward to greeting you all and excited to see you during the upcoming sacred nights of Ramadan.
RAMADAN START DATE: MOONSIGHTING UPDATE*
The Islamic Center at NYU recognizes the diversity of opinion that exists in our community in regards to the start and end of months throughout our religion's lunar calendar. The three broader opinions that exist to determine the start and end of months are: 1) Calculations, 2) Local moon sighting and 3) Global moon sighting. All are considered to be valid and have their respective evidences. If you have any questions on it, feel free to email back and we would be happy to discuss.
On the basis of a local moonsighting methodology**, the Moon-Sighting Committee of the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America announces that Tuesday, March 12th, 2024, will be the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan, 1445 A.H. for the entire region of North America.** This determination is based on the fact that there were no verified sightings of the crescent moon by the naked eye at sunset on Sunday, March 10th, 2024, in any region of North America. Therefore, Monday, March 11th, 2024 will be the last day of Shaban.
PROGRAMMING & VISITOR BUILDING ACCESS
Throughout the holy month, we will be hosting various programs and activities, all which can be found on our website, icnyu.org/Ramadan. In order that we are able to plan to the best of our ability, please RSVP at this link.
In addition, all guests are required to fill out the visitor access form by clicking here. Once this form is complete, you will be entered into the NYU visitor system and will be able to enter our facilities by presenting a govt. issued ID card that matches the name that you filled out the form with. Please note that a physical ID is necessary to gain access to the building and a virtual ID will no longer be acceptable.
MONDAY & THURSDAY POST-IFTAR PROGRAMS
Every Monday and Thursday night during the holy month, we will be hosting exclusive programs following Iftar with a recitation of Dua al-Iftitah on Mondays and Dua Kumayl on Thursdays as per Shia tradition. In addition, I will be delivering a commentary on select verses of the Holy Quran such that we are able to maximize in our learning, growth and development these nights. Please join us for these programs, beginning tomorrow night, March 11th, at approximately 8:15p
*There will be other email communication regarding our specific programming and activities for the nights of Qadr in the last 10 nights of the month of Ramadan.
DONATIONS & YOUR SUPPORT
For more than 20 years, the IC has been providing free nightly iftars and an array of services to the entire community through the generous support of individuals like you. This Ramadan, we are expecting to host 700 to 800 people at a minimum, with some nights likely having that many more. Our estimated cost per night this year is $8,600.
Our programs and operations, including Ramadan, run completely off of donations. If you can cover an entire night, part of a night or gather a group of friends to get together and cover a night, we greatly appreciate the support. You can make a tax-deductible donation towards our Ramadan costs at https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/25895/donations/new.
SUPPORTING CHILDREN FROM GAZA & OTHER CHARITY CAMPAIGNS
This Ramadan the IC will be focusing our charity fundraising on raising funds for children in Gaza. Imam Khalid recently returned from Turkey after visiting children who have been evacuated from Gaza with urgent medical needs. Our Islamic Center at NYU has launched a campaign at LaunchGood.com/HelpGazasChildren that will run through Ramadan and will provide food, medication, therapy, surgeries and other critical treatments, shelter, and more to our little brothers and sisters from Gaza and their families inshallah. We will be working with Human Concern International and are hoping to help as many as possible. All contributions are tax-deductible and zakat-eligible.
In addition, be on the lookout for other humanitarian projects that our center and community is hoping to support during the upcoming nights.
Praying you and your families have a blessed month and let us keep each other in our duas during these days!
- Faiyaz
_________________
Faiyaz Jaffer, Ed.D.
Associate Chaplain | Global Spiritual Life at NYU
Research Scholar | Islamic Center at NYU
Adjunct Professor | Steinhardt School of Culture, Education & Human Development
Adjunct Professor | Wagner School of Public Policy
@faiyazjaffer
THIS RAMADAN, EXPERIENCE WHAT COMMUNITY SHOULD FEEL LIKE!
Join us every night in Ramadan for a community iftar dinner to break your fast. Ramadan at the IC is open to everyone!
SPONSOR A RAMADAN IFTAR!
Full Iftar: $8,600
Half Iftar: $4,300
One way to contribute to Ramadan at the Islamic Center is by covering the cost of one iftar. Every evening during Ramadan, we host between 600 - 800 people. If you can cover an entire night, part of a night, or gather a group of friends to get together and cover a night, we would greatly appreciate your support.
Just click the button below, select "Ramadan Fund" and enter the amount you would like to donate.
The Messenger of Allah is reported to have said (), said:
"Whoever helps break the fast of a fasting person, he will have the same reward as him, without decreasing anything from the reward of the fasting person."
SPONSOR A RAMADAN IFTAR AT THE IC
VOLUNTEER THIS RAMADAN
We need volunteers each night to help us make Ramadan a great experience for everyone.
There are many ways you can help, including bringing homemade or store-bought baked goods for our nightly bake sale! Just click the button below and choose the date(s) and time(s) you can volunteer. We look forward to sharing a great Ramadan with you!
VOLUNTEER WITH THE IC THIS RAMADAN
PROVIDE SWEETS FOR OUR BAKE SALE
COMMUNITY ACCESS FORM
If you are not a current NYU student, faculty, or staff member, you must request in-person access via our Building Access Form before arriving. If the form is not submitted, you will not be able to enter the IC building.
Upon arrival, all visitors will be required to present a physical, government-issued photo ID to gain access to the IC building. Digital copies will not be accepted. No exceptions.
SUPPORT THE ISLAMIC CENTER
All of our programs and operations at the IC are run off on the generous contributions
of people like you. Be sure to make a tax-deductible donation this Ramadan!
Please consider making an online tax-deductible contribution today to help support the cost. Should you have any questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].