SUHOOR
06:13 AM
Iftar
07:50 PM
Ramadan Kareem! Here you’ll find all Ramadan-related resources from our Islamic Center, including iftar timings, upcoming events, and important policies and announcements from the administration.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. May this Ramadan bring peace, reflection, and blessings to you and your family.
05:07 PM | 05:30 PM
Iftar is the evening meal to break the daily fast at sunset during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. It is a significant, often communal, event held at maghrib prayer time (sunset),, traditionally starting with dates. Iftar serves to replenish energy, foster community, and express gratitude, typically featuring balanced foods. Significance & Purpose Breaking the Fast: Marks the end of fasting from dawn to sunset, often called futoor. Community & Tradition: Often, iftars are shared with family, friends, and community members at homes or mosques. Spiritual Reward: It is considered highly rewarding to provide food for those breaking their fast, embodying charity and solidarity.
NAMCC Itikaf Guidelines
Itikaf refers to going into seclusion in the Masjid for the sole purpose of worshiping Allah swt and attaching oneself and one’s heart to His creator.
Itikaf provides an opportunity to the believer to get closer to Allah by temporarily freeing oneself and one’s mind from the activities and worries of the world.
This provides an excellent opportunity to train oneself to disassociate temporarily from the worries of the world and focus only on Allah alone.
It is also deduced from the various narrations that one of the major objects of Itikaf during Ramadan is to search for Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) what better manner can there be than to remain in ibadah at all times, whether one is awake or asleep, to obtain the reward of 1,000 months (over 83 years) of worship.
ITIKAF RULES
Itikaf arrangements will be made during the last ten days of Ramadan at NAMCC
No food or drinks are allowed inside the Masjid. Water in securely capped bottles is allowed.
Children regardless of their age are the responsibility of their parents. They must observe the rules at all times and must be supervised by their parents.
Brothers and Sisters interested in performing I’tikaf must register(Sisters must be accompanied with Mahram (brother, father or Husband)
The minimum age for Itikaf participants is 16 years. All participants below 16 years of age have to be accompanied by an adult (guardian). If the guardian has to leave the Masjid for any reason, the under 16 participant must accompany him.
Iftar and Suhoor will be served at the designated area by Volunteers. This arrangement is strictly for the individuals performing Itikaf.
All participants must keep the Masjid area clean, including bathroom and shower facilities.
Everyone is expected to respect other participants, regardless of age and take an extra effort to make the Itikaf a good experience for all.
All participants acknowledge that they have read the aforementioned rules and agree to be bound by its terms.
All participants further agrees to indemnify and hold NAMCC / Masjid Aisha , Its administration and staff harmless from any claim, action, liability or expense.
Furthermore, in Itikaf one is free from all daily tasks and thus has all the time to devote to dhikrullah (remembrance of Allah) and meditation.
Jazakum Allahu Khairan
NAMCC, Executive Committee
NAMCC Parking Rules & Etiquette (Ramadan)
To ensure a safe and smooth experience for everyone during the blessed month of Ramadan, please follow these parking guidelines when visiting North Austin Muslim Community Center (NAMCC).
General Parking Guidelines
- Follow all instructions from parking attendants and security staff.
- Drive slowly and cautiously — many families and children are walking.
- Park within marked lines only.
- Do not block driveways, fire lanes, or emergency access routes.
- Observe all posted traffic signs and directional arrows.
Overflow Parking
- Use designated overflow parking areas when the main lot is full.
- Follow volunteer guidance for additional parking spaces.
- Arrive early during peak times (Iftar & Taraweeh) to avoid congestion.
Strictly Prohibited
- No double parking.
- No parking in handicapped spaces without a valid permit.
- No blocking other vehicles.
- No parking in neighboring business lots unless officially approved.
Ramadan Reminder
- Please respect our parking attendants and security staff who are volunteering their time to serve the community.
- Maintain peace, kindness, and patience at all times.
- Keep noise levels low in the parking lot.
- Offer assistance to elders and families.
- Leave calmly after prayers to help reduce traffic buildup.
Let us work together to maintain a peaceful and welcoming environment for everyone.For any escalations email us at ec@namcc.org
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Sign-up for volunteer slots during Ramadan – earn volunteer
hours and ajar! View available slots at the link below.
FAQ’s
What is Ramadan?
When is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar system. As a natural phenomenon, lunar months vary in length, containing either 29 or 30 days. This means that the lunar year is 10 or 11 days shorter than the solar year, since months in the solar year often have 31 days. Ultimately, this means that those measuring against the solar calendar will perceive Ramadan as “shifting” a few days earlier each Gregorian year.
In 2025, Ramadan will begin around the evening of Friday, February 28 through Saturday, March 29, 2025. The exact days are confirmed by the sighting of the new moon at the start of the month.
Why is Ramadan celebrated ?
God says in the Qur’an,
“Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed, as guidance for humanity…so whoever of you witnesses the month should fast it.” [2:185]
Muslims therefore celebrate Ramadan by ritually fasting for the entire month in gratitude to God for His final revelation. By restricting the body’s appetites during daylight hours, believers rejuvenate their spirituality, repair their religious conscience, and cultivate their devotion to God. This is the most significant objective of the fast: restoring the centrality of God in our lives.
How do you observe Ramadan?
Muslims observe Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink, smoking, and sexual intimacy—all out of devotion to their Creator. They are also called to practice self-restraint and respond to every situation with patience and kindness. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ informed us,
“Whoever does not give up lying and acting dishonestly, then [know that] God has no need for this person to give up food and drink (i.e., fasting).” [Sahih al-Bukhari #1903]
In addition to fasting, Muslims also celebrate Ramadan by reciting and studying the Qur’an, performing acts of service, and giving to charity. Many people read the Qur’an cover to cover multiple times over the course of the month. Believers complete their readings individually and in nightly congregations that take place in virtually every mosque on the planet. This is all in emulation of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who would annually rehearse with the archangel Gabriel all that had been revealed to him of the Qur’an.
What is the purpose of fasting in Ramadan?
Muslims fast for the entire month in gratitude to God for His final revelation. By restricting the body’s appetites during daylight hours, believers rejuvenate their spirituality, repair their religious conscience, and cultivate their devotion to God. This is the most significant objective of the fast: restoring the centrality of God in our lives.
Ramadan is a period of practicing extra awareness about all the things that could soil our spirituality and fuel the ego that feeds off our catering to its appetites throughout the year. Vices are always forbidden, but we work with even greater dedication to avoid them and excel in devotion, kindness, patience, and forgiveness in Ramadan. Such inner purity is the intended result of fasting.
How long do you fast in Ramadan?
Who is required to fast during Ramadan?
Are there any exceptions or exemptions from fasting?
Yes. Islam has a merciful and pragmatic legal framework that allows many exceptions to the rules. The categories of people exempted from fasting are an excellent example of that.
Children who haven’t reached the age of puberty are not required to fast, although some like to practice and participate in Ramadan activities. Pregnant women and nursing mothers who struggle to fast, as well as those who are traveling, are allowed to break their fast and make up for the days they missed in Ramadan later on in the year. In addition, women experiencing menses are allowed to rest from the five daily prayers and from fasting.
How many times do Muslims pray during Ramadan?
Muslims maintain the standard five daily prayers, but strive to increase the amount of worship they perform during Ramadan.
In addition to the five daily prayers, many Muslims perform extra nightly prayers called Taraweeh and additional forms of worship such as tahajjud, itikaf, and an increase in reading the Qur’an.
What are the Taraweeh prayers?
What is Laylatul Qadr?
Laylatul Qadr can be translated as The Night of Decree or The Night of Power.
In the context of this holy night, some scholars define “qadr” as “decree” (qadar). In other words, it is the night in which the destiny of each person–their sustenance, lifespan, and other critical matters–is decided and sealed for the coming year.
Other scholars define “qadr” as “power,” indicating the greatness of the night. Similarly, some who interpret “qadr” as “power” do so to bring attention to the fact that righteous deeds performed during this night are far more powerful than they would be on any other night.
Why is Laylatul Qadr important?
When is Laylatul Qadr?
The precise night on which Laylatul Qadr occurs has not been mentioned.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
“Search for Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last 10 nights of Ramadan.”
There is tremendous wisdom in not knowing exactly when it occurs. As Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi (d. 620 AH/1223 CE) writes, “God has concealed this night from the Muslim community (ummah) so that they may strive in seeking it and performing worship throughout the month in the hopes of catching it.
Why is charity important during Ramadan?
Muslims focus on increasing all of their good actions during the holy month, but particularly increase their generosity through making donations, helping the needy, serving the hungry, and paying a mandatory charity (Zakat al-Fitr) to the poor before the end of Ramadan. This spirit of giving comes from the sympathy we feel for those who have less when we experience hunger and deprivation ourselves, and also from deepening our relationship with God’s word, and understanding the vast mercy and generosity inherent in the nature of God. It is authentically reported that,
“The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous of all the people, and he used to become even more generous in Ramadan.” [Sahih al-Bukhari #3554]
What is Zakat al-Fitr?
What is Eid al-Fitr?
Eid al-Fitr occurs at the end of Ramadan. After an entire month of fasting and extra prayer, Muslims are sad to bid Ramadan and its spiritual atmosphere good-bye, but also excited to celebrate their efforts with a holiday.
The festivities begin early on Eid day with the traditional takbeerat and communal prayers. Celebrants show up in their loveliest clothing to pray together, embrace all of their friends, and wish each other “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid). After the Eid prayer, specific ways of celebrating vary across a plethora of Muslim cultures, but whether it’s knafeh or donuts, you can be sure that there will be lots of feasting on delicious foods, exchanging gifts, and quality time spent together with family and community.
In 2024, Eid al-Fitr will take place on April 10th. This date is tentative until the sighting of the new moon at the start of the month.
ZAKAT-UL-FITR
The Zakat-ul-Fitr amount for this year is $15 per family member. Zakat-ul-Fitr is obligatory and must be paid before Eid Salah. Click the link below to be directed to the Zakat donation page.