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 2023, Ramadan is expected to begin at dusk on March 22 and continue until dusk on April 20, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. The festivities of Eid al-Fitr will begin at the conclusion of Ramadan.

The five pillars of Islam include the Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayer, fasting, charity, and performing the hajj pilgrimage to 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.

The variety of food traditions practiced by the diverse Muslim community is one beautiful aspect of Ramadan. The Seward neighborhood has been home to a large East African community since the 1980s, some of whom are Muslim followers of Islam. For iftar, a dish eaten by Somali Muslims is nafaqo, a dish of potatoes or beef stuffed with eggs. Ethiopian Muslims may serve Beyaynetu, injera topped with shiro, gomen, and meser wot to break the fast. Muslims in other areas of the world enjoy flatbread garnished with yogurt, cheese, or thyme; mashed fava beans seasoned with cumin and olive oil; samosas with sweet and spicy chutney; apricot juice, and yogurt-based drinks.

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 compostable container, or a new reusable container, of different foods. If you are short on time, check out Seward-made Grab and Go options at both stores, including ready-to-heat East African dishes, 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.

Wishing our Muslim community members Ramadan Mubarak, a blessed Ramadan. May every year find you in good health, peace, and happiness.