How to Sight the New Crescent Moon and Why It Matters for Muslims

The Islamic calendar is based on the phases of the moon, and each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon (hilal) in the sky. This means that the start of each month, and the Islamic festivals that depend on it, such as Ramadan and Eid, can vary by a day or two … Read more

I Want to Recite Qur’an to My Mom: A moving story

Ahmed was 11 years old when his mother (a single mom) dropped him off for his first Qirat lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys!) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Ahmed. But Ahmed said that it had always been his mother’s dream to hear him recite the Quran. So I took … Read more