A peek into the lives of Puerto Rican Muslims and what Ramadan means post Hurricane Maria
For Juan, Ramadan is a balancing act. On the one hand is his religious faith and practice. On the other is his land, his culture, his home: Puerto Rico. Although he weaves these two elements of his identity together in many ways, during Ramadan, the borderline between them becomes palpable. For the Puerto Rican Muslims like […]
What are halal foods?
During the month of Ramadan, for 30 days, Muslims who choose to fast will neither eat nor drink during daylight hours. At night, when they break their fast, many will only choose foods that are considered permissible under Islamic law. The Arabic word for such food is “halal.” The halal food industry in the United States […]
Why Ramadan is called Ramadan: 6 questions answered
Editor’s note: Mohammad Hassan Khalil, associate professor of religious studies and director of the Muslim Studies Program at Michigan State University, answers six questions about the significance of the Muslim month of fasting. Why is Ramadan called Ramadan? Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and lasts either 29 or 30 days, depending […]
Ramadan in Yemen: Fasting by day, starving by night
Sanaa – Fatima Salah, 58, does not sleep in the daytime as many do during the fasting month of Ramadan. Instead, she wanders the city of Sanaa visiting neighbours and local shops, hoping to obtain enough food to feed her family at night. “I am exhausted and thirsty because of walking, and I have been […]