NEW JERSEY — It’s one of the most sacred times of the year for Muslim residents in New Jersey and other parts of the world: Ramadan.

This year, advocates have been reaching out to New Jersey residents and elected officials in an attempt to share some understanding about the holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan takes place on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is based on lunar cycles, so the exact dates change every year. In 2025, Ramadan is expected to begin on Feb. 28 or March 1, and end on March 30 or March 31.

New Jersey has one of the largest percentages of Muslim residents in the nation. The state celebrated its first official “Muslim Heritage Month” last year after Democratic and Republican lawmakers unanimously supported a resolution in 2023.

“Ramadan is one of the most sacred times of the year for Muslims, marked by fasting, prayer and reflection,” explained Nancy Elbassiouny, government affairs manager with the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ).

Unfamiliar with the holiday? The nonprofit has released a guide to “Understanding Ramadan and Eid,” which can be seen online here.

According to CAIR-NJ:

“Fasting from dawn to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, with Muslims refraining from food, drink and other physical needs during daylight hours. The fast is broken each evening with a meal called Iftar, often shared with family, friends and community. Eid ul-Fitr, or the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast,’ is the celebration immediately after the conclusion of Ramadan. It is a joyous occasion of gratitude, family gatherings and community engagement.”

“As Muslims across New Jersey and the nation prepare for Ramadan, we hope this guide will help elected officials connect with their Muslim constituents in a meaningful and respectful way,” Elbassiouny said. “It’s important for our leaders to foster inclusivity by acknowledging this holy month and the joyous holiday of Eid ul-Fitr.”

Celebrations in New Jersey this year have included a large gathering in Paterson, which is represented by three Muslim city council members, in addition to events in dozens of other towns and cities.

Searching for a local place of worship in New Jersey? CAIR-NJ has created an interactive Masjid map that includes more than 150 mosques. Islamic schools that have a separate Musallah that is attended are included. View it online here.

EID AND NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS

Is Eid an excused absence for New Jersey students? According to CAIR-NJ, all Muslim students attending any New Jersey public school can currently receive an excused absence using a note from a religious leader or masjid to observe Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

The group has also pushed for recognition for Eid as a holiday by closing public schools in New Jersey districts with high percentages of Muslim students.

Several districts in the state are already ahead of the curve. Eid has recently been added as a school holiday in districts including Newark, Hillsborough, East Brunswick, Holmdel and Moorestown.

WELL WISHES FOR 2025

Several elected officials and groups in New Jersey have offered greetings of “Ramadan Mubarak” on social media. As seen online:

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