With Ramadan right around the corner, the Islamic Center of Boise hosted an open house Saturday to educate the public about the Islamic faith.
" We are having this event to educate about Ramadan and what do Muslims do during Ramadan month," said Waleed Murbarki, Youth Assistant Islamic Center.
"Last Saturday afternoon a couple of guys came to my house and said they were having an open house today they gave me a card and I decided I wasn't doing anything at 2:30 so I decided I would come down and see what it is about," said Tom.
About fifty neighbors joined tom in the quest for knowledge. Ramadan is the holiest month for those of the Muslim faith. For roughly 30 days during Ramadan Muslims obtain from bad habits and physically refrain from eating and drinking during the day from dawn to dusk as means to be closer to god. The cycle goes according to the lunar calendar.
"We fast for about 17 hours a day," said Murbarki
Mubarki says they want their neighbors to understand the many different rituals.
"We are in a neighborhood, and we just moved to this location a year ago, and we would like for for our neighbors to feel comfortable because for us we will do a lot of prayers during this holy month and it goes all the way to midnight, and we want our neighbors to be aware, and we want to show them what we are doing on the inside," said Murbarki.
"So far everyone has been peaceful and friendly," said Tom.
"Its good to educate people because all that we are hearing is negativity from all over the world, so its good to build bridges the building walls I would say," said Murbarki.
