News Release -- Mayor Warren, City Council Issue Proclamation to Recognize Eid al-Fitr in Rochester

City of Rochester

News Release

(Wednesday, June 5, 2019) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren and City Council President Loretta C. Scott on Wednesday joined with City Council and members of Rochester’s Muslim Community to issue a joint proclamation recognizing Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, which concludes the month of Ramadan.

“Eid al-Fitr celebrates the successful conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan,” the Proclamation states. “From May 5th to June 4th, our Muslim brothers and sisters deprived themselves of food and drink during the daylight hours to observe a period of enlightenment and communion, culminating with the Festival of Breaking Fast, or Eid al-Fitr. This joyous tradition honors the communal aspects of the fast, which expresses many of the basic values of the Muslim community, including empathy for the poor, charity, worship, steadfastness, and patience.”

A reception with the cultural foods of Eid al-Fitr followed the proclamation ceremony.

“Islam is deeply woven into the fabric of the United States and Rochester, dating back to the founding of America,” the Proclamation continues. “An estimated three to seven million American Muslims represent a diverse swath of races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds and are a growing and important segment of our population. The diversity of Rochester is our city’s greatest strength, and the contributions of Rochester’s Muslim community contribute greatly to the strength of our city.

“Eid-al-Fitr offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on what has come from of the month of Ramadan spiritually, personally, and communally. The Muslim Community of Rochester hopes that people of all faiths will use this opportunity to reflect on the aims of Ramadan and remember that breaking a fast is about more than resuming the partaking of food and drink. It is also about promoting citizenship, empathy, charity prayer, and time with loved ones and family.

“Eid-al-Fitr celebrates many virtues, including devotion, self-sacrifice, and peace. These values can be guiding principles for all citizens to hold in their hearts, regardless of background, religion or circumstance, throughout the year,” the proclamation concludes.

###

News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7145.