Sunday marked the start of the holy month of Ramadan, a time when Muslims take part in prayer, fasting and celebrations.

This year, though, New Jersey's roughly 300,000 Muslim Americans are preparing for a more somber observance under the shadow of the war in Gaza, where more than 30,000 Palestinians have been reported killed in the conflict with Israel, along with rising incidents of Islamophobia here at home.

Melissa Rose Cooper spoke with Muslim community members in the state about how that's shifted the tone of Ramadan this year.

Ramadan, for me, is the most special time of the year.

It's the time when we break away from everything else in our lives and we focus on God.

We you know, we fast throughout the day.

And then at nighttime, we we break bread with our community members and family members.

But for Sami Shaban, celebrating Ramadan feels a lot different this year.

Since the war in Gaza began, he has lost 19 members of his family.

My mom, for instance, whose constantly tuned in to the news and what's going on is, you know, she she she cries more often than I've ever seen her cry.

I mean, it's a really, really tough situation.

You know, family members here are just you could see it all over their faces.

There's just there's just so much stress, you know, just worry, contemplation about what's going to happen with our family over there.

Many Muslims across New Jersey sharing similar sentiment as they observe one of the holiest periods of the Islamic calendar.

Wail Rasheed was born and raised In Gaza and serves as president of the Islamic Center of Union County.

You can see with no decoration, we decorate, we get ready to get toys and gifts for our kids.

We as we fasting the whole entire day from sunset to sundown.

We breakfast together here at ICRC, where we celebrate the food and we eat together as a family and mingles this year.

Now, as I said, so this year, actually, we feel guilty even drinking more alone.

Our families in Gaza not having water to drink or or or inviting others to have meals where we know our people, our family, our friends, our community in Gaza, they cannot have a sip of water to drink a day early.

And as the war rages on, Rashid and other Muslim leaders are expressing their disappointment over the refusal of some elected officials to call for a cease fire.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations releasing this guides a mosque at the start of Ramadan, highlighting their right to exclude anyone who doesn't support their sentiments, stating mosque need to consider whether their representatives actions and positions align with the values and interests of the community.

And I think even if a person wants support not supporting the cease fire to come see how he's going to what his eyes in the community eyes and said, I'm not supporting in knowing that 3000 plus of this community died.

We are not here for picture opportunity.

When you support just people do not call for cease fire.

When there is a genocide happening in Gaza, what do we need to sit down with them?

How can we share?

You know, what do we celebrate with them?

Is there anything to celebrate?

Many grief.

And there is no reason for them to come.

They are not welcome.

This is not okay to starve an entire population, to displace an entire population.

That that's just not okay the world needs.

The world has spoken up.

Our country needs to listen.

Our country needs to hear loud and clear that this is not clear.

And I and I believe that most of the country is now coming to that to that understanding as well.

And even though many hearts remain heavy this Ramadan, members of the Muslim community say they'll continue to lean on their faith as they pray for a better future for and a spotlight news.

I'm Melissa Rose Cooper.