Breaking the Fast

Until rather recently I didn’t know all that much about Ramadan. Thankfully I live in a community which provides many opportunities to learn. I have found that every year I learn a little bit more about this month of fasting and prayers in the Muslim faith. 

Not surprisingly, the first way many of us learn about other cultures is through food. When I noticed that some of the local restaurants we love were offering special menus during Ramadan, I wanted to learn more. 

The following information is taken from What You Should Know Before Attending Your First Iftar,* by Yvonne Maffei. 

The Iftar, or the breaking of the fast, is one of the most significant points in the day during Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Observing Muslims will abstain from all food and water — yes, even water — from the crack of dawn all the way until sunset, every day of this month.

Iftar is the main meal of the fasting day, which occurs at sunset every day of Ramadan. The initial breaking of the fast isn’t a huge meal; it’s typically just a date and a glass of water or some other type of drink such as fruit juice or milk.

Once the initial fast is broken, worshippers will break for prayer, which lasts anywhere from five to 15 minutes, and then return to eat a larger, more substantial dinner type of meal. 🍽️ 

(The rest of the article is geared towards Iftars held in private homes. It’s interesting to read but won’t necessarily apply to Iftar in a restaurant.)

When I decided to write a blog post about local restaurants offering Iftar specials during Ramadan, I had a few questions. Luckily, I had a friend who was willing to answer them. 

Q: Is it okay for non-Muslims to partake of Iftar restaurant specials? Or do you need to be invited by Muslim friends to join them? 

A: I think it is okay [for non-Muslims] to partake in Iftar restaurant specials.

Q: Would it be better/kinder for non-Muslims to patronize those restaurants during the day instead of during Iftar since their daytime business may be substantially lower during Ramadan? 

A: All kinds of people go [to these restaurants] but yes, the rush will be less at lunch. But my guess is that you won't get the Iftar Special if it is called that. 

Q: Are there any rules of etiquette for non-Muslims experiencing Iftar meals in a restaurant?

A: If there's a line and it is close to sunset and there are Muslims behind you in line I would let them go ahead but it isn't the end of the world if you don't.

About that last one: We have a plentiful supply of restaurants serving halal food. Even if they aren’t offering any Iftar specials it’s very likely that you will find Muslim families picking up food there to break the fast so: be mindful. Letting someone go in front of you in line who has been fasting all day is a kindness. 

What follows is a collection of local restaurants offering Iftar specials/buffets/special menus for Iftar during Ramadan:

Boro Kabob, Columbia

Busboys & Poets, Columbia

Great Harvest, Ellicott City

Mimi’s Kabob Turf Valley - - weekends during Ramadan 

Momo Hub, Common Kitchen in Clarksville 

- Mutton Kabob (comes with rice and salad) $15.99

- Fried Momo Platter (24 pcs momo - choice of chicken or veggie filling ) $35

Tribos Peri Peri, Ellicott City

Zaiqa Restaurant and Grill, Hanover 

If you know of other Howard County restaurants who are offering Iftar specials/buffets/special menus please send me the pertinent information and I will add them to the list.

Although this started out being a piece about restaurants, as I finish it I’m thinking about how crucial it is for us to know and care for our neighbors. 

Fear and judgement come from ignorance and from holding ourselves apart from those who feel “different” to us. If we make it our practice to know and care for our neighbors we will not fall prey to ideologies that encourage hatred and censure. You might think that goes without saying. If you are paying attention to the news you know that it is painfully relevant. 

For both my Muslim and non-Muslim readers: I hope we always choose to know and care for one another. 

Village Green/Town² Comments