Ramadan is a month in which people pray, reflect, community and fast from dawn to sunset. It is a month where Muslims come closer to Allah to get rid of their sins or wish best for the future. In the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is the ninth month, falling between Shaban and Shawwal.

“I think fasting is really a cleansing of the spirit and the body. When you really experience hunger, somehow that gives you humility and helps you connect with your inner spirit.” Mrs. Hiba, one of the parents in Granite Bay, said.

Muslim people fast from the beginning of the Ramadan month, which takes 30 days until its conclusion, refraining from food, drink, and other physical needs during daylight hours as an act of spiritual discipline and devotion. Fasting does not only mean remaining hungry from sunrise to sunset; the main purpose of fasting in Ramadan is for people to develop patience, self-discipline and gratitude by controlling their own movements, thoughts and behaviors while eating.

“Fasting makes you understand how horrible it is to be hungry, and it makes you feel empathy for the people who are hungry all the time,” Jenine Al Souqi, a junior at Granite Bay, said. 

But besides this spiritual healing, the most important thing for Muslims in the month of Ramadan is the Iftar table, which brings together their loved ones, friends. 

“In my experience, iftar becomes a time for families to gather, share moments of reflection, and express gratitude. It’s not just about the food; it’s about coming together after a day of fasting, supporting each other, and reconnecting.” Abdul, a junior of Granite Bay said. 

In the month of Ramadan, there are two key and significant meals: Sahur, the meal you eat before fasting that keeps you energized and standing all day long. And iftar is the meal that everyone is waiting for with their eyes wide open, the meal to break the fast. And every nation has its own cultural recipes and styles that make these meals different and special. But the common thing in iftar for all nationalities is to break their fast with dates and a glass of water. Breaking the fast with dates and water is a practice inspired by the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, as dates offer a quick source of energy and essential nutrients, while water helps rehydrate the body after a day of fasting. 

The most well-known and prevalent meals during Ramadan for iftar includes which are loved worldwide. But again these are just a few of which are more widely known and consumed dishes during Ramadan. For example, in Turkey, they have a special kind of  bread called “pide,” which is a boat-shaped flatbread. It comes in different varieties, but the most delicious, what Turkish people call “etli pide,” has a savory filling of minced meat and a really good aroma. 

The connection between food and culture is deeply rooted in history. Traditional dishes are the result of the union of different nations, migration of people for various reasons and colonization. For example during the Ottoman Empire, today’s Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Macedonia, Hungary, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa they were together and now these countries have similar dishes even if their names are different like kebab or there is a dispute among some Arab countries that claim baklava belongs to them. Different cultures and cuisines were spread around the world through wars and other historical events, in the time before the internet and technology. That is why history has a big role in traditional foods. 

In some Muslim countries as part of the culture during Suhoor, a small group of heritage musicians play the drums to wake people up. And even people are hitting outside of their houses to join these small groups and even start dancing, calling others to wake up.

People living in America may be luckier than those in other countries because it is possible to meet people from different cultures here. This allows you to start learning a new culture. You can also visit restaurants in America and try different cultures’ food. Such an opportunity is not very well known to some people.

“The diversity, yet the similarity, is part of the beauty of being Muslim in America. You meet Muslims from so many different backgrounds. For example, during our Ramadan, our table sometimes has samosas, sometimes pakoras, and sometimes Chinese food for Iftar. It’s a mix of different cultural backgrounds,” Hiba Al Souqi, one of the parents in Granite Bay, said.