Ramadan, the month long period of fasting of devout Muslims, ends this weekend. The NY based Muslim Guyanese community has been observing Ramadan over the last month. Islamic festivals like Eid, Qurbani and traditions and practices like Ramadan have been transplanted by Indo-Caribbean Muslims in various parts of the USA where Indo-Caribbean people are settled.
Wherever Indo-Caribbean Muslims are settled in clusters in America, they establish masjids. Guyanese Muslims have been concentrated in Queens, Brooklyn, and Bronx. There are several Guyanese Masjids in NY. The Indo-Islamic culture has been very strong in areas where the community is settled where Islamic centers and masjids are established. The masjids are packed to capacity in the evening for Ramadan or Ramzan or Rojah (breaking of fast) and celebration of Islamic festivals. People also pray at Masjids during the day.
The Indian-Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean Muslim community in New York area is very tight-knit, giving solidarity to each other. They co-operate and collaborate during Ramadan or Ramzan (Rojah), Eid, Qurbani, and other Islamic celebrations. Adherents of the faith usually come together to observe festivals such as Rojah and Eid. They zealously observed Rojah.
During Ramzan, Muslims fast during the day. In the evening, Muslims were seen well attired in traditional garb, men in white kurta and women in shalwar, in the early evening heading for the Masjid for prayers and breaking of the fast. Some Muslims broke the Ramadan fast at their home. Ramadan ends on Saturday followed by Eid.