* Yesterday was the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan…

A commemoration of Muhammad’s first revelation, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

Fasting from dawn to sunset is fard (obligatory) for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, or menstruating. The predawn meal is referred to as suhur, and the nightly feast that breaks the fast is called iftar

* For the first time, the Illinois House has two Muslim freshmen. The House paused at sunset so the two members, Reps. Abdelnasser Rashid and Nabeela Syed, could speak. It’s definitely worth a look…

Speaker Welch catered the subsequent iftar.

* Rep. Syed’s speech was particularly touching…

I just wanted to add on that it is so cool to be here, to have the privilege to be on the House floor observing my fast. And even cooler is to have such kind and understanding colleagues who have checked in on me throughout the day, who have asked me questions about this important month, my favorite month of the year. And I’m just so, so grateful to live in a state that is so inclusive and so welcoming to religious minorities, to racial minorities, to women. So, thank you to my fellow legislators for making this state as inclusive as it is And Ramadan Mubarak. Thank you.

…Adding… From the meal…

When it was time for Iftar, we took a break from voting on bills for @reprashidil and I to speak about the importance of this month. Then, a few of us gathered in the back to eat a wonderful, halal meal that was catered by @SpeakerWelchIL. pic.twitter.com/HlfSgOg0Bz

— Rep. Nabeela Syed (@rep_nabeelasyed) March 24, 2023