Washington, DC | September 30, 2008 | www.adc.org | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) extends its congratulations on the occasion of the Eid al Fitr and Rosh Hashana holidays. ADC Communications Director Laila Al-Qatami said, “ADC wishes “Kul ‘am wa antum bi-khair” (May every year find you in good health) and “Shana Tova” (Good Year) to all.”
Eid al Fitr (The Festival of Fast Breaking) is a three-day celebration which marks the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection for Muslims and many observant Muslims around the globe fast from sunrise to sunset and participate in pious activities such as charitable giving. The Islamic calendar is a lunar one, with Ramadan being the ninth month and Eid al-Fitr being marked by the sighting of the new moon.
The Jewish High Holidays, also called the High Holy Days, refer to the ten-day period beginning on Rosh Hashana (Day of Judgment, also known as Jewish New Year) and ending on the holiest day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). Rosh Hashanah is a two-day holiday which began at sundown on Monday, September 29. Rosh Hashanah and the High Holy Days are a time for spiritual reflection, and observant Jews will review this past year and make resolutions for the upcoming year.