Muslims celebrate
the end of Ramadan
Muslims throughout Tucson are celebrating Eid al-Fitr to mark the end of Ramadan.
An estimated 3,700 people gathered at the Grand Luxe Hotel & Resort, 1365 W. Grant Road, on Friday morning for prayers and festivities organized by the Islamic Center of Tucson.
“It was far larger than we expected, and the place was overflowing,” said Ahmed Meiloud, a spokesperson and leader at the Islamic Center.
Breakfast — along with carnival goodies such as snow cones and cotton candy — brought an end to the month of fasting, which is based on a lunar calendar.
The Tucson chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is celebrating the holy day at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Yousuf Mosque, 250 W. Speedway.
This community of Muslims differs from mainstream Islam in its belief that the 1889 founder of the movement is the Messiah, according to the faith’s official website alislam.org.
Christian service
to promote racial unity
Tucson churches will come together for a service of racial reconciliation at 6 p.m., Sunday at Victory Worship Center, 2561 W. Ruthrauff Road.
The service to honor the victims of the June shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina will include Scripture readings, music and messages.
Called “Love Conquers Hate,” the event is organized by a partnership of Tucson pastors who want to bring unity to their churches across racial lines. The pastors were inspired by the forgiveness the victims’ families offered the gunman, said Glen Elliott, the lead pastor at Pantano Christian Church, 1755 S. Houghton Road.
“The core of all of this is that we want our churches and we want the city to know that we are united in our faith in Jesus as churches that are black, white, Hispanic, Asian, you name it,” Elliott said. “There is something that unites us that is far greater than hate and prejudice, and that’s love.”
For more information, visit the events page at 4tucson.com
