Hundreds of Jacksonville Muslims break fast together at Islamic Center

When Shakur Bolden first accepted Islam 30 years ago, he didn’t think much of the fasting during Ramadan. These days, Bolden said he realizes the tradition is much more demanding.

Before a crowd of nearly 100 people, Bolden and several members of Jacksonville’s Muslim community discussed what Ramadan means to them. For Bolden, it meant abstaining from eating even when his parents, who are Christian, are celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.

The discussion was part of a panel held at the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida. The center held its "Sharing Ramadan” event Sunday, an event in which people of all faiths are invited to the center to learn about Muslim traditions.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim lunar calendar. During the Fast of Ramadan, which lasts the entire month, Jacksonville Muslims — and their fellow Muslims across the world — abstain from food, drink, sexual relations and sinful actions from sunrise to sunset.

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