Michigan Ramadan marred amid Gaza conflict
DELTA TWP., Mich. (WLNS) – Ramadan celebrations are underway for the Muslim holy month but for many, those commemorations are muted amid the war in Gaza.
Earlier this year, a major festival in Dearborn that usually punctuates the weeks of fasting and prayer was canceled by organizers. They say it was to stand in solidarity wit the civilians turned refugees in Gaza, according to ABC Detroit affiliate.
In mid-Michigan, events are still being held but with a softer tone. In Lansing, families shared dishes of lamb and chicken shawarma in Noosh Afghan Cuisine.
“People love our rice, our kebabs, mostly our traditional foods,” said owner Khalid Mahmood. His family has been running the restaurant along Waverly road for 8 months.
To mark the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Mahmood is serving up dishes at a discount during iftar, or the daily break from fasting at sunset.
He understands that it can be hard for some to take part in the festivities this year amid the fighting in Gaza and other hot spots in the Middle East.
“It’s hard, it’s sad but all we can do is pray for them and wish them well. And we kind of have to do our part here and move on,” he said.
For now, he’s focused on making a table to keep traditions going.
“People typically break their fast together, the whole family comes together,” said Mahmood.
He says another key tenet is giving to those less fortunate. For Mahmood, that means sending back donations to Afghanistan.
Across town in East Lansing, people filled into the East Lansing Islamic Center.
In the crowd was Anupriya Alam, a Michigan State University Freshman from Birmingham. With the devastating images hard to miss online and on tv, she says she’s praying for those left behind amid the brutal fighting.
She understands why the festival in Dearborn was canceled and says she stands in solidarity with those in Gaza.
“It’s very sad what’s going on but I don’t think that it should take from the significance of this month,” said Alam, “Keep them in our hearts as we go forward.”
This Ramada also is Alam’s first one far from home. But finding a community of other students at MSU has made the hard transition bearable.
“It’s very nice to like share similarities with someone like them going through the same things as I am,” she said.
While the world abroad and at home are changing, Alam says it has provided an opportunity to better understand herself and faith.
“I know there is a lot of pressure like family pressure but I think it’s very important to find why this month is so special, just find that reason why you’re going to the mosque, why you’re fasting,” she said.
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