The setting of the sun this evening begins a sacred season for two of the world's most popular religions.
The unusual convergence marks the beginning of Ramadan, the monthlong Islamic fast, as well as Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year that starts the 10-day period known as the Days of Awe.
The two holidays typically happen on the same day only every 33 years, although they also occurred together in October 2005.
Both religions reckon time with the lunar calendar, which has 354 days, 11 fewer than the widely used Gregorian calendar.
Because Jewish holidays are connected to seasonal cycles, a 13th month is inserted into the Hebrew calendar every three years.
Major Muslim holidays are not connected to any seasonal or agricultural event, the Islamic calendar follows a strict 354-day cycle. As a result, the dates move up 10 days of the Gregorian calendar every year, so Ramadan falls during different seasons.
Today marks the new moon, the harvest season and a "turning point" in the year for Jews, said Rabbi Aryeh Wineman of Temple Beth El in Troy. The High Holy Days conclude 10 days on Sept. 22 with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This year is 5768.
Today's unique celebration of the two different faiths also marks a time to reflect upon their similarity, Wineman said.
"There's a sense of soul-searching and inner cleansing, spiritual cleansing and renewal," Wineman said. "It takes on different forms but that's the character of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur and Ramadan, too."
Rosh Hashana starts with a period of contemplation in the synagogue followed by a festive meal at home with sweet foods. Observant Jews fast for Yom Kippur, on which the last hour of the traditional service is a period of prayer.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the the Islamic calendar, begins with the sighting of the crescent moon. Beginning Thursday morning, Muslims will fast from food and drink, including water, in daylight hours. The fast begins after suhoor, a morning meal before dawn, and is broken after sundown, usually with sweet dates.
Children younger than 14 typically fast only part of the day. Pregnant women, the elderly and ill, as well as travelers are exempted from the fasting.
Eidul Fitr, the celebration that follows the monthlong fast, is observed with prayers at mosques in the morning. Visiting friends and family, exchanging gifts and sharing ethnic foods are part of this holiday.
The extended period of sacrifice makes the meals a joyful community gathering, particularly at the end of the monthlong holiday, said Imam Ahmed Kobeisy of the Islamic Center of the Capital District in Colonie.
"It's a celebration of having completed one whole month of service and dedication to God and having passed this test of endurance and significance," Kobeisy said.
Abdur Rahman al-Khalidi, a member of the Islamic Center's board of trustees, led a group of 10 people in prayers Tuesday afternoon. He said the mosque, which reverberated with the voices of children at play in a separate room as their parents worshipped in silence, will draw dozens of families every night during Ramadan.
He, too, said today is an important time for Jews and Muslims to reflect on the other's religion.
"This is a day for us to remember the commonalities and stop stressing the differences," al-Khalidi said. "We worship the same God, and this is something you cannot overstate."
Lunar calendar
Judaism and Islam use the lunar calendar, which has 354 days, 11 fewer than the Gregorian calendar.
A 13th month is inserted into the Hebrew calendar every three years because Jewish holidays are connected to seasonal cycles.
Major Muslim holidays are not connected to any seasonal or agricultural event. Because the Islamic calendar follows a strict 354-day cycle, the dates move up 10 days of the Gregorian calendar every year. As a result, Ramadan falls during different seasons.
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