Ramadan, the holy month of Islam, began on February 28 at sundown with the appearance of the crescent moon. It will culminate around March 29 or 30 when the next crescent moon is spotted. At that time, Eid al-Fitr, a final celebration lasting for three or four more days, begins.

If you observe the holiday, Ramadan Mubarak! If you aren’t Muslim, how much do you know about this month? 

Here are resources for celebrating this year and supporting the Muslim community, including an interview from the URL Media archive with Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, the founder of viral news outlet Muslim.co. 

What is Ramadan all about?

This month is the holiest time of the year for Muslims. It’s a special moment centered on drawing closer to one’s religion, spirituality, and community. 

Many people abstain from food, water, and even certain lifestyle choices — such as using the internet, drinking, smoking, gossiping, etc. — between the time the sun rises and sets. This is called fasting, and each person’s experience with it can vary greatly, depending on their health, age, or personal life. Fasts begin after a pre-dawn meal called suhoor, and are broken each evening with a meal called iftar. 

Fundraising and generosity are also central to the month. Muslims often volunteer in their communities and make their yearly donations to charities and nonprofits during this time. 

“Ramadan Mubarak” and “Ramadan Kareem” are both common sayings and greetings, which mean “Blessed Ramadan” and “Generous Ramadan.” 

Where to celebrate in the Twin Cities and NYC 

It’s important to gather with others during Ramadan, especially for iftar. From intimate family moments to bustling communal events, there are all kinds of ways to celebrate. 

Sahan Journal has compiled a list of over 40 places to celebrate across Minnesota this year, from various iftars to school fundraisers. Check out the list here.

Epicenter NYC has one big recommendation for New Yorkers: Astoria’s second annual Ramadan Night Market, set to take place on Thursday, March 13, from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The event offers a respite at a time when islamophobia, xenophobia, racism, and immigration fears are running high in Queens communities. 

Last year drew 5,000 attendees, who revelled in the public celebration that took over the streets — an uncommon sight in the U.S. but the norm in many Muslim-majority nations. 

“This feels like back home,” many people told Rana Abdelhamid, the event creator and founder of Malikah, a Queens-based anti-violence organization, according to Epicenter NYC.

Don’t live in these places? Get in touch with your local mosque or Islamic cultural center to find an event near you! 

How non-Muslims can be supportive during Ramadan

Those trying to celebrate in the U.S. this year are facing new challenges. Hosting an iftar has gotten extremely expensive due to rising food prices. Meanwhile, immigration fears may curb attendance at community gatherings, Sahan Journal reports.

Not to mention, the norms and systems in the United States are mostly in favor of other religions to begin with. 

This means it can go a long way when people who are not observing the holy month take the time to consider Muslims’ needs. Epicenter NYC created a guide on etiquette for those who are not Muslim during Ramadan. The tips include understanding the daily rhythm of the holiday, being flexible with scheduling plans or time-off requests, and how to be respectful if participating in any break-fasts or events. Check it out here.

All eyes (still) on Gaza

This Ramadan, like last year’s, is an especially challenging time for Palestinian Muslims — who are still forging Ramadan traditions in the wake of Israel’s destruction. 

As the holiday began last year, URL Media co-founders Sara Lomax and S. Mitra Kalita spoke with Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, the Palestinian founder and editor-in-chief of Muslim.co. Their conversation, centered on the realities of celebrating Ramadan during a genocide, is as relevant as ever. 

Over its six years online, Muslim.co has earned a massive following on social media and its Substack-based news site, where it has closely followed events on the ground in Palestine. Its aim is to take charge of the narrative around Muslim communities, Al-Khatahtbeh said in the interview.

“We have this distrust of mainstream media with how they treat and cover Muslims,” he explained.

Al-Khatahtbeh attributed the platform’s success to the fact that there is a need for more media tailored to Muslim audiences. Likewise, Ramadan is an especially high-engagement time for the site and its socials. In the past, it has gained 1 million followers during the holiday alone, and seen spikes in overall traffic and donations as well.

Based in New Jersey, Al-Khatahtbeh’s most cherished parts of Ramadan are hanging out in community with others late into the night. Yet as long as Palestinians are suffering, there will be a damper on any gatherings, he explained.

“This Ramadan is so heavy,” he told Lomax and Kalita. “[Palestinians] are fasting every single day against their choice.” 

The trio’s full conversation, taking place in the lead up to the 2024 election, also delves into the anti-zionism and uncommitted movements in the U.S., the intersectional history of the Black Muslim press, and the politicization of Ramadan as a whole.

You can watch the interview here and support Muslim.co here. 

MORE URL NETWORK RAMADAN COVERAGE