8-Febraury
-2026
On Saturday-7-Febraury, the Borough of Bogota,
along with the Bogota Muslins, in coordination with Eid Committee of New
Jersey, hosted their annual Ramadan Celebration in the Borough.
With the first day of Ramadan scheduled to
start at Sunset on Tuesday-17-February, this was an event to welcome the Holy
Month and to prepare the fasting, reflection,
and prayer The event was held in the Senior Centre above the Bogota Public
Library.
The event began with a welcoming by Ms. Jenna Makkaoui. She talked
about the spirit and how the fasting helps with self-discipline and promotes
empathy for those less fortunate. She also introduced Ms. Ambreen Naeem and Ms.
Tasneen Salam who are both the first Muslim Trustees for the Bogota Board of
Education.
Next
Students stepped forward to recite from the Quran. They were Hamza Parvaz who
read the text in Arabic. With Adan Ali offering an English translation followed
by a Spanish translation by Brendel.
Then former Bogota Student Issa Iqbal talked
about what Ramadan means to him. After this Ayza Raza read the book "
Under the Ramadan Moon" by Sylvia Whitman.
Next was a performance of the choir from the Academy
of Greatness and Excellence located in Ridgefield Park. Then members of the
Muslin Student Association of Bogota High School. They were recognize work in
planning and working during the event.
Also thanked was the Bogota Police Department, the Bogota Volunteer Fire
Department for overseeing the safety for the event. Along with the Bogota
Department of Public Works for setting up the Senior Centre and the Cresent and Star in front of Borough Hall.
A number of elected officials then spoke to
the audience. First to speak was New Jersey State Assemblywoman Shama Haider,
delivered a message to thank Bogota for celebrating Ramadan. She added that
Ramadan is more than just a time for the Muslin Communities to work with their Communities,
but to volunteer and assist local towns like Bogota, Bergen County, and all of
New Jersey during the month of Ramadan, and beyond.
Next was Bergen County Commissioner Rafael
Marte. He presented Eid Committee of New Jersey, the Bogota Muslins, and
Borough of Bogota for hosting this year's Ramadan event.
Next Bogota Mayor Daniele Fede welcome everyone
to Bogota, was happy to again host a Ramadan event in the Borough. Followed by
Council President Lisa Kohles appreciated the chance to be part of the
celebration and to learn more the Muslin Culture.
After a few closing remarks those in attendance
were serves homemade food. Along with craft tables offer a chance to make personal
items or get Henna Tattoos. The event ended people walking out to Larch Ave. to
watch the lighting of decorating the front of Borough Hall.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the holy
month of fasting, beginning, and ending with the appearance of
the crescent moon. This is when God revealed to Prophet Muhammad
(Peace be Upon Him) ‘The Qur’an,’ Islam’s holy book, “as a guidance for the
people.” This month is a period of introspection, communal prayers
and helping the poor and needy. A part of this period is the Sawm
which is to practice a fast-during daylight hour. The end of the
month of Ramadan, this year will be on Friday-20-March based on the first new
Moon sighting and is celebrated as Eid al-Fitr: the “Festival of breaking the
Fast”.
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