Muslims Observe Ramadan in New Hyde Park

For Muslims around the world, Aug. 1 started the holy month of fasting known as Ramadan. It is believed that the Quran was revealed in this month, making it the holiest month of the year.

During this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, consuming no food or drink, refrain from worldly pleasures and are encouraged to do as many good deeds as possible by exhibiting virtues of tolerance, hospitality, charity and kindness, especially to the less privileged.

For many local Muslims in New Hyde Park and the surrounding areas, the will be the central meeting grounds for congregation and worship throughout the month.

According to Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, President of the board at the Hillside Islamic Center, approximately 200 people are expected to show up for their nightly prayers throughout the month, which is scheduled to start around 9:45 p.m.

The act of fasting, which is a commandment from God and one of the five fundamental pillars of Islam, is not only intended to purify oneself, but also allows people to understand and appreciate the hardships of those less fortunate who are suffering daily.

“There are thousands of people living without food, water, shelter and other necessities of life," Bhuiyan said. "You are supposed to control your desires, which should train you to empathize with people who are suffering every day. When you willingly give up all of this you can feel the pain of others who are going through this.”

It is also believed that whatever good a person does during this month, it is multiplied 70 times over and during the last 10 nights of the month, the prayers of one night is equivalent to that of 84 years of worshiping combined.

The Hillside Islamic Center, which opened its doors eight years ago, was at the time and still remains the only place of worship for Muslims in the area. According to Bhuiyan, 95 percent of the congregation consists of residents of New Hyde Park and neighboring cities within a five mile radius.

“When I first moved here 12 years ago, I realized that there wasn’t any place within the immediate vicinity for Muslims to congregate and worship,” Bhuiyan recalls.

It was this need that brought him along with his fellow Muslims to establish the Hillside Islamic Center in 2002.

“The month of Ramadan is an opportunity to get closer to God,” Bhuyian said. “We pray and will continue to pray for the whole country and the welfare of humanity.”

Bhuyian and the entire Hillside Islamic Center committee is asking New Hyde Park community members for their understanding and patience throughout this sacred month.

For more information on the Hillside Islamic Center and their services or to make a donation, visit the website www.hillsideislamiccenter.org