Sacramento Unity Eid 2025 & Ramadan Roundup

By Ras H. Siddiqui

Eid al-Fitr was celebrated on two separate days by different mosques in the Greater Sacramento area this year. SALAM, MCF and Tarbiya along with some others who take a scientific approach celebrated Eid on Sunday, March 30, 2025, and others including the historic Downtown V Street Mosque, Al Mumtaz, Faizan-e-Medina and Woodland Mosque had their Eid celebrations on Monday the 31 st. The latter follow the more traditional moon sighting visible to the naked eye. State of California employees were lucky this time because March 31 was also the Cesar Chavez holiday so either day was convenient. 

This writer joined the Eid prayers at Cal Expo on Sunday. Led by the Council of Sacramento Valley Islamic Organizations (COSVIO) and billed as “Sacramento Unity Eid” this was the largest gathering of Muslims in the region. Numbering in the thousands, the number of worshippers this time was less than last year when pretty much everybody celebrated Eid on the same day, but the arrangements this time were far better. Last year the event was a victim of its own success as the sheer number of attendees overwhelmed the arrangements. This year, parking and entering the facility were very well organized and this writer had no problem getting to the venue and leaving. But this year the weather did not cooperate and all outside activity was impacted including food and merchandise sales. 

The mosques and organizations which participated in this large event were SALAM, Masjid As Sabur, MCF (Folsom), Masjid Al-Rahman, Masjid Al-Taqwa, Masjid Fulton partnering with MUHSEN, Shifa Community Clinic, MAS Community Youth Center and the CAIR organizations. This Unity Eid had many sponsors, the main ones being the Menoufy Family Foundation, Good Effort, Islamic Relief USA, Human Appeal, and SALAM. Other sponsors included the HAYA Financial Strategies & Insurance Agency, Muslim American Society Sacramento, Adams Travel, City of Sacramento Community Engagement Team, Sacramento City Unified School District, Nick Sadeq-Sotheby’s International Realty, Sharif Jewelers, ICNA Sacramento, Guidance Residential, Professor Ayad Al Qazzaz, Ralph’s Jewelers, Qisa Coffee and Sacramento Kids Dentistry. And last but not least Sacramento Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes, City Councilmember Mai Vang (thanks for your support throughout Ramadan), Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume, City Councilmember Roger Dickinson, Phoong Law, Autism Care & Rehabilitation Organization (ACRO), Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPD) and SMUD. Our collective thanks to them for making this event happen.

Eid gatherings, especially large ones of this size, are a treat to attend. One is always amazed at the diversity amongst the followers of Islam as they gather here in America. The traditional clothes worn by men, women and especially the children on Eid day can be captivating. The entire Middle East, South Asia, East Asia and Africa representation was there, and we need to add to that the American Black Muslim, White and Hispanic community members as well. Many more Muslims of European descent are also being spotted these days. And some have converted on the stage at events like this one too. 

The Unity Eid Organizers had arranged for a long day of food and festivities for this Eid gathering. Comedian Preacher Moss was slated to perform here and other outdoor activities for kids had been arranged. But the wind was really blowing, and this writer unfortunately could not stay to witness it. But thanks, are in order to all of the volunteers who helped to make this happen along with the area businesses who helped sponsor and collect funds to make this happen. We need to appreciate their efforts and continue to support Unity Eid in Sacramento, California in the years to come.

In addition to Eid, this writer also attended the four Friday prayers and Iftars at mosques in the Sacramento region throughout the month of Ramadan. The Jummah prayers attended were at Faizan-e-Madinah, Tarbiya Institute (Natomas), Downtown V Street Muslim Mosque Association and SALAM. Also attended many Iftars at the ISPC facility in Roseville, Al-Mumtaz Institute fundraiser in Fair Oaks, and an interfaith Iftar at the newly built Woodland Mosque. Some pictures from those events are included here since not all events could be covered separately this time.