The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today welcomed the recognition of Ramadan from local elected officials, government bodies, and law enforcement agencies, including Governor Gavin Newsom, Representative Judy Chu, Congressman Salud Carbajal, Assemblymember Issac G. Bryan, Senator Sabrina Cervantes, LA Mayor Karen Bass, the City of Anaheim, the City of Irvine, and the City of Yorba Linda.
The month of Ramadan began on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 17, and it will conclude on or around the evening of Thursday, March 19, followed by one of Islam’s most important religious holidays, Eid al-Fitr. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar calendar, with the start of each month determined by the sighting of the crescent moon.
Ramadan is a sacred month for the global Muslim community, holding immense spiritual and cultural significance. It is characterized by abstention from food and water from dawn to dusk, as well as increased worship, nightly congregational prayers, and other devotional acts.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“The Greater Los Angeles area is home to more than 500,000 Muslims who are a thriving part of our communities. As anti-Muslim rhetoric and discrimination continue to rise across the nation, it is more critical than ever to acknowledge and celebrate American Muslims’ traditions and contributions. The recognition of Ramadan is more than a symbolic gesture; it’s a starting point for honoring the diversity of California’s communities.
“We thank the elected officials who recognized this blessed month for their commitment to inclusivity. At the same time, we also urge them to continue this action beyond Ramadan by partnering with their local Muslim communities and CAIR-LA or to address the root causes of Islamophobia in their districts and ensure the civil rights of all their residents are protected.”
SEE: Community Advisory: CAIR Releases 2026 ‘Your Rights in Ramadan’ Toolkit
CAIR California recently released a Ramadan 2026 toolkit for elected officials, providing guidance for recognizing Ramadan and committing to standing alongside California’s Muslim community.
CAIR-LA is encouraging community members to contact their local Congressional members, mayors, counties, and police departments to encourage them to issue a statement recognizing the month of Ramadan if they have not done so yet.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR-LA Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com