Children laughed and played games as young women passed around platters of fresh cut mangoes, dates and water bottles to break the day’s fast.
Imam Adbul Hamid Samra led sunset prayers before the subsequent feast.
These were the scenes Tuesday evening as congregants from the Islamic Center of Greater Miami in Miami Gardens celebrated the Day of Arafah, the peak of the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
“Today is a very special day,” said Imam Abdul Hamid Samra about the Day of Arafah, which falls on the second day of Hajj. “One of the pillars of Islam is to do this [pilgrimage] once in their lifetime.”
At the Miami Gardens mosque, the largest mosque in South Florida, the community celebrated the holiday by praying at sundown, eating a meal together after a day of fasting and giving gifts of clothing and jewelry. Take a look:
Heading to the mosque
Congregants head to the Islamic Center of Greater Miami-Masjid in Miami Gardens, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, to celebrate the Day of Arafah. Al Diaz/adiaz@miamiherald.com
A prayerful day
Imam and religious director Abdul Hamid Samra awaits the Day of Arafah. Al Diaz/adiaz@miamiherald.com
Imam Zakaria Badat prays in honor of the Islamic holiday, the Day of Arafah. Al Diaz/adiaz@miamiherald.com
Hass Ouazza celebrates the Day of Arafah with traditional prayer with his son Ramzi Ouazza, 9, and friend Phil Khan, 7, at far left. Al Diaz/adiaz@miamiherald.com
A feast after the fast
Congregants end their fast as they line up for food outside the Islamic Center of Greater Miami-Masjid in Miami Gardens, Florida, to celebrate the Day of Arafah. Al Diaz/adiaz@miamiherald.com
Abdallah Hasouneh, wearing a blue shirt, joins others as they end their fast on the Day of Arafah eating dates and drinking water. Al Diaz/adiaz@miamiherald.com
Aiman Siddiqui, center, waits with others as they prepare to end their fast and celebrate the Day of Arafah. Al Diaz/adiaz@miamiherald.com
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