For Muslims, the end of the holy month of Ramadan is typically cause for celebration, with three days of feasting and socializing after a month of daytime fasting.

This year, though, many American Muslims are greeting Ramadan’s end with a measure of worry, as the holiday coincides with the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks.

“Most Muslim communities will be reluctant to have something that’s perceived to be celebratory on 9/11 even though we’re not celebrating 9/11,” said Ibrahim Hooper, National Communications Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

“There’s a whole cottage industry of Muslim bashers now who would seize on that,” he said. “Unfortunately, these are the times we live in.”

With many American Muslims already feeling intense scrutiny over the controversy surrounding a proposed Islamic center and mosque near New York’s ground zero, many mosques and Islamic groups are dramatically altering their usual plans for Eid ul-Fitr, the end of Ramadan holiday.

In the United States, most mosques are expected to celebrate the holiday – typically called Eid – this Friday, September 10, though some may celebrate it a day later – Saturday, September 11 – because of their interpretation of the lunar cycle. Ordinarily, festivities – bazaars, potlucks, bowling alley parties – would extend for three days, following more solemn prayers on the morning of Eid itself.   »»» CNN.com

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