Ramadan, Roots, & Refuge: Collective Members Reflect on Faith Traditions

For many Muslims, nationally and globally, the sacred month of Ramadan is a time for deep reflection, prayer, and delicious Iftars with loved ones. Each year, Muslims prepare for Ramadan in a myriad of ways - from adjusting their caffeine intake in the days leading up to Ramadan in an attempt to dodge the withdrawal-induced headaches to visiting international supermarkets to stock up on essentials such as halal meat, lentils, spices, dates, and other delicacies. With around 4.5 million Muslims in the U.S., the observance of Ramadan carries diverse traditions and customs, reflecting the fact that Muslims are not a monolith. 

Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present

For those who have faced forced displacement, Ramadan can be a beautiful yet challenging time of the year. For many refugees and immigrants, preserving Ramadan traditions in the U.S. is an essential way of staying connected to their roots. Families recreate the customs they grew up with while also embracing new ways to observe the holy month. 

In Arizona, Nejra Sumic shares how she has woven together new and old traditions, saying, "A new tradition I have created is decorating our home during Ramadan with my children. We also share Iftar together with family, friends, and in community—which is something I share from back home." 

Chicago-based Muntaha Alhindi reflects on bringing her Palestinian heritage to her Ramadan routine in the U.S.: "I still prepare traditional dishes like maqluba, qatayef, and lentil soup for Iftar. I also decorate my home with Ramadan lanterns and lights. One of my traditions is making decorated dates at the beginning of the month and distributing them in the community as a way to spread love and joy. It’s a small but meaningful gesture to bring people together and share the spirit of Ramadan."

For many who have been uprooted, faith traditions become a sort of anchor - a way to preserve identity and history in unfamiliar surroundings. The flavors of a home-cooked meal, the glow of festive lanterns, the small yet profound rituals of giving—these are not just acts of remembrance but affirmations of existence. While some find solace in holding onto the familiar, others discover that displacement reshapes their connection to faith and family, deepening it in unexpected ways. 

Dana Aljubouri, for instance, has found that being in a new place has strengthened her spiritual traditions, making them more intentional. She tells us: "One Ramadan tradition my family brought with us from Iraq is deep cleaning our home before and after Ramadan. It helps us feel like we’re starting the month fresh and sets a peaceful tone for everything that comes after. Since moving to Jacksonville, we’ve started a new tradition: After breaking our fast, we all sit together to pray and talk about the Prophet’s teachings. Here, it feels even more important to create that feeling at home."

American Muslims have come to represent the true diversity of this country in endless ways - culturally, linguistically, racially, socioeconomically. Similar to most faith traditions in the U.S., there are as many ways to practice Islam as there are Muslims. Afghanistan-born, Maryland-based Storai Manandoi notes that, “A new tradition I have observed here in the U.S. is that women can go to the masjid and pray in the same hall as men.” 

Faith in Action

Ramadan is more than a month of fasting - it is a time of seeking forgiveness and connection. For millions of Muslims, their faith is also a call to action - a persistent reminder to practice kindness and generosity, help others, and speak out against injustice. 

For Dana Aljoubouri, helping others is not a simple act of charity, but rather a core value: “I think faith gives people a reason to care beyond just sympathy—it’s about doing what’s right because it’s part of who you are. That’s how we build real support—not just with donations, but with real friendship and understanding.”

Throughout history, people have been displaced time and again, and the Islamic tradition orders its observers to welcome and embrace the stranger. “The Quran repeatedly calls for kindness to travelers, orphans, and those seeking refuge. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself was a refugee when he migrated from Mecca to Medina, where he was welcomed and supported. His story serves as a model for Muslims to help newcomers adjust to their new homes with dignity,” Muntaha Alhindi reminds us.

While the challenges of displacement may reshape how traditions are observed, the essence of Ramadan - community, compassion, and devotion - remains unchanged. Faith inspires us to keep our hearts and homes open, and practice empathy as openly as we can. Nejra Sumic puts it simply: “Faith reminds us that at the core of all is our shared humanity and we have to continue to fight for justice and human rights.”  

For many displaced communities, faith can ground us no matter where we end up, guiding us through uncertain times and helping us remain steadfast in our belief that, when we care for and about each other, a better world is possible.