By: Abby Coven

News Editor 

As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan concludes this week, a Los Gatos mosque has been holding prayer services for members in the early morning and evenings. These gatherings have prompted some nearby residents to express concerns about the mosque’s impact on the neighborhood. The mosque, run by the West Valley Muslim Association (WVMA), has a conditional use permit to operate between the hours of 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM. The group is applying to extend the permit’s hours in order to remain open longer and to better accommodate their members worshipping during Ramadan. Some neighbors object to any permit extension since they already believe the extra traffic, crowds, and noise during this holiday affects safety and causes too many disruptions, while other neighbors remain undisturbed.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar during which Muslims around the world engage in fasting, prayer, reflection, charity, and community. The religion is built around empathy for those who are less fortunate, the practice of prayer, self-discipline, and devotion to Allah (God). Ramadan commemorates the moment when Allah revealed the Quran to the Prophet Mohammed. During Ramandan, from dawn to sunset, Muslims abstain from food, drink, and sinful behaviors to honor Allah. This year, Ramadan began at sunset on Feb. 17 and concluded yesterday, Mar. 19.

Locally, Santa Clara County is home to 60,000 Muslims, and 27% of Bay Area residents practice Islam. The WVMA is a nonprofit mosque that serves the local Muslim community in the West Santa Clara Valley. The group runs three sites in the area: the Los Gatos Islamic Center, the Saratoga Prospect Center, and Saratoga Musalla. The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses formerly occupied the property, which is zoned for religious use. WVMA Executive Director, Lubna Shaikh, described the mosque as a place where people really “feel at home.” 

During the Ramadan season, the mosque’s membership collectively breaks its fast every night for a month. They use the mosque’s existing parking lot, and some parking spills onto the public streets. WVMA has worked to mitigate impacts to the neighborhood surrounding the mosque during the holy month. For example, members quietly direct traffic with flashlights to ensure safety and efficiency. WVMA leadership encourages members to leave quietly in the evenings. In an interview with KTVU Fox News, Shaikh shared, “We just want to get in and out safely. We are not trying to do big events. We are just trying to pray.” Officials have yet to decide whether they will amend the permit that would have allowed the members to worship until 11:00 PM during Ramadan.

(Sources: ABC7, CBS News, Los Gatan)