From: HiMY SYeD 6 June 2014 16:07
To: deputymayor@toronto.ca
Subject: Email Follow-up to In Person Request to Light up City Hall Twin Towers Green for Start and End of Ramadan 2014
Good Afternoon Mr. Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly,
Thank you for immediately saying “YES” to Lighting Up City Hall Green ( The Traditional Colour in Muslim Culture ) for Ramadan, when we spoke in person for only the briefest of moments earlier this afternoon at the conclusion of D-Day Ceremonies in Nathan Phillips Square.
Ramadan is the Muslim Holy Month of Fasting.
Muslims observe a Lunar Calendar, with days beginning at Sunset.
Consequently, Ramadan begins 10 or 11 days earlier each year on the common solar calendar.
The tentative starting date for Ramadan this year is Saturday Evening, June 28 2014.
Ramadan is expected to end on Sunday Evening, July 27 2014.
Eid-al-Fitr ( A Muslim Day of Thanksgiving to acknowledge the successful conclusion of Ramadan ) is anticipated for Monday Morning, July 28 2014.
Due to the possibility of Visual Moonsighting being different than New Moon Calculations, there is a slight chance the actual dates this year are different than listed above.
Nevertheless, Lighting up City Hall Green on a pre-determined schedule with this much notice in advance is something likely to be understood by the wider Muslim Community, if it so happens either lighting is off by one day.
Therefore, on behalf of the wider Muslim Community, I would like to request Toronto City Hall be lit green on the Evening of Saturday June 28 2014 to mark the start of Ramadan, and then again on the evening of Monday July 28 2014 to Mark Eid-al-Fitr and the End of Ramadan.
There are an estimated 75,000 to 80,000 Muslim Families in the Greater Toronto Area.
It will be the first time that Ramadan and Eid al Fitr would be recognized in such a manner in our city.
Thank You Mr. Deputy Mayor for your attention.
Sincerely,
HiMY SYeD
http://30Masjids.ca / http://Twitter.com/30Masjids
Each Saturday in the Month of Ramadan, The Islamic Institute of Toronto hosts an Iftar and Lecture Program.
