PEAK SEASON

It’s 9 p.m. on a weeknight, but the al Ridwan mosque is bustling with activity.

About 20 Muslim men have gathered before Abdulkarim Erabti, who stands in front of an intricately carved pulpit.

The men, arranged side by side, bow and kneel as Erabti leads them in melodic prayer called the traweih, which is unique to the holy month of Ramadan.

Just as area Muslims are paying particular focus to their faith this month, so is the Jewish population.

That’s because this year, the two religions’ holiest periods happen to coincide.

Timing

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, began at sundown Sept. 12.

The next day was the start of Ramadan.

And the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur — Judaism’s holiest period — begins Friday night.

That the two religions’ holy periods are coinciding is unusual, since both religions’ calendars are lunar-based, causing the dates of the holidays to vary year-to-year.

This year’s overlapping observances come at a time of heated conflict between members of the two faiths in some parts of the world.

Last year, there was a war between Israel and Lebanese paramilitary groups, and there have been ongoing territorial disputes in Israel between its mostly Jewish population and Muslim Palestinians.

“Sometimes, we human beings are very good at stressing what we don’t have in common,” said Rabbi Steven Rosenberg of McAllen’s Temple Emanuel. “I think sometimes we need to focus back on what we do have in common.”

Despite the differences between Islam and Judaism, Ramadan and this month’s Jewish holidays actually have quite a deal in common: Both involve fasting; both involve introspection; and both are considered incredibly significant to their respective religions.

The timing of the two religious periods provides an opportunity to note the similarities between Islam and Judaism, said Amin Ibrahim, a professor who attends al Ridwan mosque.

Heña Woloski, a member of the temple, said she wasn’t aware Muslims were in the midst of Ramadan as she is celebrates the Jewish holidays, but she noted both religions have a common heritage that stretches back to the biblical figure Abraham. The two religions also worship the same God, have Semitic origins and view Jerusalem as a holy city.

“I wish there would be peace in the world,” Woloski said. “That’s the most important. I wish whatever our religion we could see each other as children of God.”

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is a time for Jews to conduct a sort of “spiritual inventory,” said Ofelia Averack, a member of the Temple Emanuel congregation.

The most solemn Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur is a time when Jews strive for purification and repent their sins, not just to God but to friends, family and others they may have wronged during the previous year.

The period between the Jewish High Holidays — Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur — is called the Days of Awe. This time is a period of intense introspection, Rosenberg explained.

“It’s kind of counterintuitive,” he said. “We start the new year by looking at the previous year and saying, ‘What are the things we did right? What are the things we did wrong? And how can we improve on the things we didn’t do very well?’”

Woloski said every year she looks forward to Yom Kippur because it helps her spiritual growth.

“When you think about it, it kind of makes you squirm,” Rosenberg said. “We have to take stock of our past year.”

Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, and observance is intended to promote self-discipline, spiritual growth and obedience to God, who Muslims call Allah.

The time is particularly significant because Muslims believe the Prophet Muhammad received the holy text, called the Quran, during this period.

“There’s more a highlight on sticking to moral conduct, getting closer to the Creator,” Ibrahim said. He called Ramadan a time to conduct “a tune-up for my soul.”

Observance of Ramadan is so important to Islam that it’s classified as one of Muslims’ five fundamental practices.

“You cannot be a Muslim without practicing Ramadan,” said Assad Al Hroob, a McAllen doctor.

During Ramadan, Ibrahim said, he and other Muslims try to be more polite, more observant, give more money to charity and generally try to be better people.

Fasting

Jews are supposed to refrain from food and drink from Friday night to Saturday night during Yom Kippur.

Muslims, on the other hand, are to fast from sunrise to sunset daily for an entire month during Ramadan.

Members of both faiths said the intent of the fast is to focus on God and prayer.

“We concentrate on improving ourselves,” Rosenberg said. “We don’t eat or do anything to distract us from really thinking about it.”

But Rosenberg said Jews shouldn’t fast unless their heart is really in it.

“If you think you fast just because you’re supposed to, don’t do it,” he said. “Do it because it’s for a purpose.”

By fasting during Ramadan, Erabti said, “you prioritize what God is telling you over what your own desire is telling you.”

The act of fasting helps to symbolize complete deference to Allah. It also has some health benefits, Erabti added, though he was quick to note those are only “a bonus.”

”The main thing is to learn self-control,” said Mohammed Farooqui, a biology professor. “We indulge in food 11 months a year. One month, you learn to be away from that pleasure.”

Dante Peña, who recently converted to Islam, is fasting for only the second time this year. He said he’s “still getting used to it.” Erabti said when he’s hungry and thirsty during the day, it reminds him that he’s in worship.

Community

Despite the tremendous spiritual importance of both religions’ holy periods, Muslims and Jews say these times are anticipated and enjoyed with others.

“Good Muslims are always excited about the next Ramadan,” Al Hroob said. “It’s not a feeling of punishment.”

That’s because the Ramadan month is a time when friends and family get together.

Tonight, practicing Muslims will gather at the mosque for a dinner to break that day’s fast.

Saturday night, observant Jews will gather to eat after their 24-hour fast.

Members of the mosque and temple said even people who don’t regularly attend will make it to this month’s religious services.

“You feel connected to all Jews around the world,” Averack said. “Everyone is saying the same prayers, asking for repentance.”

Farooqui said the holidays don’t coincide very often, but “it’s a good sign” they are this year.

“Once in a while it’s good to note we actually do have some similarities in values we do share ... and use that as a basis to create a better relationship,” Rosenberg said.

Ryan Holeywell covers PSJA and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.