Hundreds of Murphy residents prayed in the McMillen High School gymnasium during the holy month of Ramadan. In the hallway were large displays of the mosque they are raising money to build.
Women and girls gather separately from men and boys. Worshippers remove their shoes or sandals before taking their position for the prayers.
According to Syed Osman Hussain, president of the Islamic Association of Murphy, Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, based on a 12-month lunar year of approximately 354 days.
The 30-day month is measured from the sighting of the Hilaal [crescent moon] when the sun shines on the surface of the moon for a minimum of about 18 hours after passing the line of conjunction before it is visible from Earth, he said.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours, taking no food or drink — even water — from dawn to sunset and strive to avoid any impure thoughts or immoral behavior.
They gather after sunset for prayers. Muslims typically complete the recitation of whole Quran in the night prayers called Taraweeh. It is prayed in 20 cycles of prostrations required in Islamic prayer. Each cycle has two prostrations for a total of 40.
“Participating in this observance is one of the five pillars of Islam, meaning that it is required for all healthy adult Muslims,” Hussain said.
Ramadan commemorates the month during which Muslims believe their prophet was given the first revelation of the Quran from the angel Gabriel.
Muslims say or write “peace be upon him” or PBUH when referring to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
“Muslims regard Quran as the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) most important miracle, a proof of his prophethood, and the culmination of series of divine messages starting with those revealed to the first Islamic prophet Adam, including the Islamic holy books of Torah, Psalms, and Gospel,” Hussain said.
Ramadan ended in a festival called Eid al-Fitr, Festival of Breaking the Fast, celebrated on the first day of Shawwaal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
“The Eid ul-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women,” Hussain said. “On this day, Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.”
Muslims celebrate and give thanks for the strength Allah imparted in them during fasting. Children receive presents and new clothes, and young girls may decorate their hands with henna, he said.

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