Crescent Moon Installation

Through a partnership between CME, ASU's Muslim Students Association, the Muslim American Society and the Islamic Community Center in Tempe, in 2023, the Muslim community revived the tradition from 20 years ago of installing a crescent moon on top of A-Mountain during Ramadan.  

A-Mountain, which rises above Tempe and can be seen from all around the city, is often host to celebratory religious symbols (the Three Wise Men and the Menorah around Christmas and Hanukkah, and the Cross at Easter). However, a representation of the Islamic faith and the ritual significance of Islamic celebrations for the large local Muslim community has been missing in recent years.

Islam is often vilified and regarded as an illegitimate belief system, so the construction of the 15-foot crescent moon atop A-Mountain, and its bright nightly illumination throughout the month of Ramadan shifted the symbolism of Islam to a bright light and source of radiating goodness for both its adherents and the surrounding community. 

Accompanied by plaques explaining the importance of Islamic acts such as self-reflection, charity and helping those less fortunate, the moon has helped to educate non-Muslims about the values of Islam, such as empathy, compassion, and contemplation that Muslims try to cultivate in their everyday lives, values reminiscent of many other religions and also of the American spirit.