Toledo Muslims Welcome Ramadan with Potluck & ‘Moonsighting’

Being the most anticipated month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan usually gets a special welcome from Muslims across the globe to receive its blessings by performing more Islamic rituals in order to achieve higher spiritual wellness.
In Ohio, members of the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo will have a get-together event on Friday for a special night to revive the tradition of sighting the crescent moon of Ramadan, WTOL.com reported.
“Next Friday, April 1st at 6:30 pm at the Islamic Center, you are all invited for a Potluck Dinner & Ramadan Talk indoors in the Social hall, followed by the Moonsighting outside on the ICGT patio,” the mosque Facebook page wrote.
As Ramadan starts when the crescent appears in the sky, Muslims have followed the tradition of moonsighting on the last day of Sha’baan for centuries.
This year, the Toledo Muslim community will follow the tradition followed since the days of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
“Bring your families and enjoy this evening of Ramadaniat and let’s pray for the blessing of sighting the Crescent Moon as was the custom in the days of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH),” the mosque wrote.
The Islamic Center said they have coordinated with the Lourdes University planetarium to determine the precise timing of the crescent moons appearance between 8:20 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Ramadan Start
Muslims worldwide will welcome the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Saturday, April 2, according to astronomical calculations.
In North America, a statement from the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) said “the first day of Ramadan 1443 is on Saturday, April 2, 2022, insha’Allah. Tarawih prayer will start on Friday night April 1.”
In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to be closer to Allah through prayers, self-restraint, and good deeds.
It is customary for Muslims to spend part of the days during Ramadan studying the Noble Qur’an.