In the heart of the South, where sweet tea and Sunday church gatherings are a way of life, Ramadan beats to its own rhythm. Despit the often-intense heat, the Muslim community comes together in large numbers to break its fast, filling masjids with warmth, devotion, and the sounds of shared prayer. Ramadan is observed across the world, but even within the U.S., the experience varies depending on where you live.
For Texans and Houstonians in particular, the abundance of halal restaurants, Muslim-owned catering services, and masjids offering daily iftars and taraweeh prayer is a privilege. No matter what you’re craving, there’s always a place to find it. It’s one of the things I love most about living here, and why I always say I’ll never move. Of course, fasting in 109-degree heat with 15-hour days is no easy feat, but it builds a deep appreciation for sacrifice and commitment. Each day completed feels like a victory for the soul and a step closer to Allah.
Every family has its own Ramadan traditions, and ours revolve around the masjid. We love arriving just before Maghrib, breaking our fast in the company of others, and staying for taraweeh. Whenever there’s a qiyam program that lasts until dawn, chances are we’ll be there. You see, worshiping, praying, and eating in community has always been important to me. There is nothing like standing shoulder to shoulder with people who have all gathered for the same purpose – to worship Allah.
Of course, food also looms large in our traditions. One of our family favorites is pitted dates stuffed with cream cheese and served with cashews and fresh fruit. It’s simple, but we look forward to it every year. In the past, we made it a point to visit different masjids around the city, exploring new cultures and cuisines while teaching my children about the diversity within our own communities. These days, the kids are older and just want to be with their friends, even if that means going to the same masjid every night.
One thing I’ve learned about Muslims is that our physical location doesn’t change our cultural practices. No matter where we go, we bring our traditions with us. A black American Muslim home. whether in Brooklyn or Chicago, might have barbecue chicken, mac and cheese, candied yams, and greens for iftar. A Pakistani home will always have some variation of curry, roti, chai, and biryani. Our meals are just another way we stay connected to our roots.
As a working Muslim, Ramadan comes with its own set of challenges. Regardless of where you are, colleagues will notice when you stop joining lunch runs. And, of course, there’s the universal question Muslims get every year – “Not even water?” Many people can’t grasp the idea of going without food and drink for so long, especially in the heat. I’ve learned to give a heads up before Ramadan starts, answering their questions early, because I definitely won’t be in the mood to explain when I’m running on an empty stomach.
One of my favorite things, though, is when non-Muslim friends or coworkers show genuine curiosity and want to participate in Ramadan. Lately it’s become trendy for people to try fasting, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. However, when someone sincerely wants to experience what we do, it means a lot to me. Some have even asked to join me for iftar or attend Friday jummah prayer at the masjid. That kind of openness and respect is always welcomed.
Ramadan in the South is special because of the diversity I’ve been blessed to grow up around; it feels like having the whole world in one city. I’ve met people from nearly every background, heard countless languages, and tasted global cuisines without even needing a passport. And the beautiful part? We’re all connected by Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in his last sermon, “Muslims constitute one brotherhood.” While not everyone gets to experience that sense of unity, I know how blessed I am to have it.
I also empathized with her. After all, at the time all three of my children were in school, and I worried how their grades would fare as they struggled through hunger, thirst, the occasional headache, and with simply being tired. In other words, we may all have some small sense of dread as we enter into a month that – let’s face it – shifts much of our schedule and can leave us feeling unmoored from our normal day-to-day lives as we navigate extra-early mornings, busy afternoons preparing food, and evenings spent eating and then rushing to the mosque for taraweeh evening prayers.
Like many converts, when I first learned what Ramadan is and how it’s practiced, I was astounded. I couldn’t believe anyone would voluntarily deny themselves food and water all day for an entire month! After all, I didn’t grow up seeing any of my family, friends, or community members fasting in any form or fashion. Even those of us who grew up in or were familiar with the Catholic faith have seen the 40-day Lenten season watered down from a fast similar to that of Muslims’ to most of the religion’s followers only abstaining from one type of food or activity during Lent. What’s more, others only forgo meat on Fridays. In other words, I’m not sure many born Muslims can truly understand how much of a shift it is for a convert to fast in Ramadan when most of us had no concept or example of it growing up.