For Muslim community members, Ramadan marks a holy month of community, prayer, fasting, and nightly feasts. The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle of 364 or 365 days per year, so Ramadan begins in the ninth month of the calendar on a different day each year. In 2022, Ramadan begins at dusk on April 2 and continues until dusk on May 1, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. The three-day festivities of Eid al-Fitr begin May 2.
The five pillars of Islam include the Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayer, fasting, charity, and performing the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. Fasting (sawm) is a major component of Ramadan, with observers abstaining from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. Fasting is meant to bring observers closer to Allah (God) and to reflect on the struggles of those less fortunate. Focusing on one’s inner self and detaching from worldly pleasures is crucial for fasting during Ramadan.
Right before sunrise, the beginning of the fast, many Muslims eat a meal called suhoor of filling foods to remain in good health throughout the day. At dusk, the fast is broken by drinking a sip of water and eating dates, and after prayers, the nightly feast of iftar begins. The foods eaten vary by culture, country, dietary preferences, and even from day to day.
At Seward Co-op, we aim to support Muslim community members during Ramadan —and all year— and provide delicious, culturally relevant foods. To observe the pre-fast meal of suhoor or to break your fast with iftar, visit our Deli hot and salad bars and put together a to-go container of different foods. If you are short on time, check out Seward-made to-go options at both stores including salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups, a wide assortment of drinks, and desserts like kheer. Moreover, Seward Co-op features a number of staple foods including dates and lentils in the bulk aisle and ready-to-bake Hoyo sambusas in the freezer.