Diyanet Mosques in the US Ready to Welcome Ramadan in a Climate of Abundance
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatih Kanca
U.S. Religious Services Counselor
Ramadan is a blessed month that nourishes the soul and purifies the body. This special time, when spirituality reaches its peak for Muslims, offers a fruitful atmosphere filled with fasting, as well as iftar, sahur, Quran recitations, zakat, almsgiving, and prayers. This year, we are preparing to welcome Ramadan with great excitement and enthusiasm in all our Diyanet mosques, especially the Diyanet Center of America. We have meticulously planned our services to ensure that people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to worship in peace, benefit from the unifying spirit of Ramadan, and fully experience its spiritual joy.
We Are Together at Iftar
One of the most beautiful and special aspects of Ramadan is the gathering of fasting people at iftar tables. With the evening call to prayer, believers break their fasts with the peace and satisfaction of having spent the day in fasting and worship. The Prophet (peace be upon him) described iftar as "one of the two happiest moments of a believer." The other is "the moment of meeting with God." Sharing this special time with our fellow believers further enhances its spiritual value. In this respect, iftar tables are not only places where stomachs are filled, but also where hearts are united and where our citizens find unity and solidarity.
Our iftar tables, which become like fairgrounds every year, will not be limited to our citizens. At our Halil İbrahim tables, set with Anatolian hospitality, we will host our brothers and sisters from different continents and nations, from Asia to Europe, Africa to America. Above all, each guest will be greeted with a smile as a "guest of God." This is a special value that our people carry across the oceans from the wisdom and hospitality of Anatolia. It is also a means of attaining the good news promised by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to believers who offer hospitality to those who fast.
Later in the evening, the spiritual atmosphere will continue with Quran recitations, supplications, and prayers; Ramadan will be revitalized with worship and dhikr. Believers who want to benefit from the blessings of the month of forgiveness will not be content with the prayers of tarawih but will spend their nights performing voluntary acts of worship until morning prayer. Suhoor times will also sometimes provide a means for our community to gather together. The Prophet (pbuh) Knowing that you cannot break your fast without having a sahur meal will help us utilize this blessed time with worship and prayer.
Ramadan: The Month of the Quran
Ramadan is a holy month identified with the Quran because it was during this month that the Quran was revealed from the heavens to the earth. Our Prophet (pbuh) Just as Muslims meet the Quran in this month, Muslims also meet the word of Allah again with the same excitement in Ramadan, become more attached to it, establish familiarity with it and renew their faith.
This Ramadan, and every Ramadan, we will strengthen our connection with the Quran through the recitation of the Quran in our mosques, Quranic education, commentary classes, and conversations tinged with verses and hadiths. The tarawih prayers we will perform together in our mosques, the mukabeles we will listen to, the prayers we will offer with our hands raised to the heavens, and the iftar meals we will break will allow us to fully experience the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan, just as it does in our country.
The success of our religious officials in reciting and teaching the Quran is a primary reason why our citizens, as well as our Muslim brothers and sisters from various nations, flock to our mosques. In this context, the special feasts of our religious officials, who come from Istanbul, known for centuries as the capital of beautiful recitation, and from our country, one of the lands where the Quran is most beautifully recited and taught, will delight the hearts of Muslims living in the United States.
Mosques Open to All Believers: A Climate of Unity and Solidarity
Nearly forty of our mosques in America welcome people of all ages and nationalities. With their prayer and social spaces suitable for both men and women, their well-organized and meticulously clean rooms, our mosques are among the peaceful places that Muslims greatly respect. Children's voices mingle with the recitation of the Quran in our mosques; children are welcomed with love, and every opportunity is made available to both entertain them and familiarize them with the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan. Families experience the joy of spending time with their children in a warm and welcoming atmosphere in mosques. This spiritual atmosphere strengthens family unity, reinforces social solidarity, and provides a unique opportunity to teach religious values.
Cultural Events and Prayers
Our mosques will host cultural activities alongside prayers. A Ramadan filled with religious information, Quranic instruction, book reading circles, skits, and the Hacivat and Karagöz plays, a staple of Ramadan nights, will be experienced. Adults will chat over tea, while children will be introduced to the stories of our culture and civilization.
Our mosques are not only places where we learn our religion, but also where we learn our language. Our language is a precious treasure that allows us to learn about our religion, culture, and civilization, and it is invaluable in preserving our national identity. On Ramadan nights, our children will speak their native language and play games with their friends, reconnecting with the stories and tales of our culture and civilization.
Assistance and Solidarity
The spirit of Ramadan is felt not only through worship but also through mutual support and solidarity. This blessed month is a time when those in need breathe freely, generous believers find the joy of giving, and they compete in good deeds. Our Prophet (pbuh) In this month of increased generosity, we will strive to extend a helping hand to those in need, set up iftar tables, and reach all segments of society through zakat and alms. Our mosques will continue our ancestors' tradition of giving, not only as places of worship but also as centers that touch hearts and lives in need and revitalize the spirit of mutual aid and solidarity. To keep this ancient tradition alive in the Americas, all our mosques will operate as centers that create value and extend a helping hand to society.
Our Mosques Operating with the Consciousness of Foundation Civilization
The efforts of our mosque administrations, with their awareness of the foundation civilization that extends from the Ottoman era to the present, to prepare mosques for worship and social services are commendable. May God have mercy on those who have passed away. The brothers and sisters with whom we share these services are dedicating themselves to the construction, development, and revitalization of mosques. They work devotedly not only to the stone walls and colorful carpets, but also to ensure that our entire society, from the youngest to the oldest, maintains its national and spiritual values. We are grateful to our mosque administrations, who work with the awareness of foundations in every area, from iftar and sahur meals to socio-cultural activities, from the preparation and distribution of aid packages to educational services and activities for children. Thanks to their efforts, this Ramadan will be filled with events that strengthen unity and solidarity and enhance spiritual peace.
Finally…
This year, Ramadan is poised to become a time of purification for us, a time for our mosques to connect with the community, and a center for families to socialize. All our mosques in the US have meticulously prepared a wide range of activities, from religious services to sociocultural activities, so that Muslims can benefit from the blessed atmosphere of Ramadan.
Our most important goal in our mosques in the United States is to keep the spirit of Ramadan alive, guided by authentic knowledge and free from superstition. We are ready to read the Quran, share its messages, revive the tradition of giving charity, cool off in the shade of the blessed month, and strengthen our social unity through the peace of Ramadan. We welcome all our brothers and sisters, from 7 to 70, to our mosques.
Let's reunite our hearts with Ramadan, gather in a spiritual atmosphere, and experience the joy of Ramadan together. Our mosques are open to everyone: let's benefit from the blessed atmosphere and peaceful atmosphere of Ramadan together!