Ramadan fast doesn’t ruin FOIP Father’s Day Cookout

IRVINGTON, NJ — There was plenty of food and drink available for those who attending the Friends of Irvington Park’s annual Father’s Day Cookout in the park on Saturday, June 16, but Irvington Recreation Department employee Mr. Muhammad did not eat anything because he was still fasting for Ramadan, although the Muslim holiday had ended Thursday, June 14.

Muhammad, who normally works out of the Chris Gatling Center on Union Avenue, said, “I went a day late, so I can’t eat right now.”

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting. The Islamic lunar calendar consists of 12 months in a year and is used by Muslims to determine the proper days of Islamic holidays and rituals, such as Ramadan.

The daily fast during Ramadan begins immediately after the pre-dawn meal of Suhur and continues during the daylight hours, ending with sunset with the evening meal of Iftar. Muslims break their fast at the time of the call to prayer for the evening prayer. This is their second meal of the day.

Irvington Public Safety Director Tracy Bowers, who is Muslim, said he could relate to what Muhammad was going through, since he was also fasting for Ramadan prior to the FOIP Father’s Day Cookout event. He also vouched for the health benefits of fasting.

“I’ve been fasting and that’s why I can fit into these designer suits that I wear,” said Bowers on Thursday, June 7, at East Orange Mayor Ted Green’s Iftar outside City Hall in City Hall Plaza. “The idea of fasting is one where you purify your body and your soul and you get a chance to recommit yourself to your religion.”

Bowers said he came to Green’s Iftar to show solidarity with other members of their religion and for a great meal. Muhammad could have also had a meal with Green and other Muslims at this event in East Orange, but that was small consolation for him on Saturday, June 16, at the FOIP event in Irvington Park.

“It should have ended for me last night,” said Mr. Muhammad on June 16. “You know what it was; I was away and I usually go by the moon and, from where I was at, it seemed like it was over, but it really wasn’t. I kept saying I’m going to break my fast on Saturday night, but everybody’s like, ‘Come to the cookout.’ So I come, but I’ve got to stick to my fast. I’m going to wait until it’s over. I’ll take a plate of food home with me for later.”

Omar Bilal Beasley, South Ward Councilwoman Sandy Jones and the other members of the Friends of Irvington Park organized the annual Father’s Day Cookout at the D. Bilal Beasley Community Center in Irvington Park on Saturday, June 16. They all agreed it would be fine for Muhammad to stick to his fast and take a plate of food home for later.

  Mr. Muhammad, Ramadan, Tracy Bowers