Ramadan is observed by several communities across Michigan. This guide was created to aid reporters in how to incorporate Ramadan into their stories. You don't have to be a religion reporter to write about this holy month. For example, education reporters can speak with Muslims who are fasting. See story ideas and further examples below the guide.
What is Ramadan? The 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar in which observing Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until dusk, for 29-30 days.
Who fasts: All able-bodied people above the age of puberty. Many kids begin to practice fasting by the age of 7. People who are pregnant or on their menstrual cycle can make up fast later if they choose. People who have a chronic illness can pay to feed poor people who are fasting instead. People who are disabled are also exempt.
Just like in any faith, there are also people who do not fast by choice. If you see someone “not fasting” don’t ask why (unless they tell you on their own).
What do people do during Ramadan?
Muslims spend time fasting, giving charity, doing extra good deeds, feeding friends family and the poor, reading Quran and completing it, as well as staying up late to pray special prayers called Tarawih.
When: March 11 -April 9 this year. The beginning depends on the sight of the moon. Due to people attending different mosques across Michigan, Muslims may begin fasting on a different day than others. It changes every year about 10 days sooner. The end of Ramadan also depends on the moon sighting so it could vary the last week of.
(Tip: If you need to know when that person began fasting, ask them).
Where: Ramadan takes place around the world. In Muslim countries, this is a festive time. In the U.S. new traditions are being created to observe Ramadan such as decorating homes.
Why do Muslims fast? Muslims fast to get closer to God through physical and spiritual fasting. "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may develop God-consciousness." (Quran 2:183).
Fasting is as an act of obedience to God.
Verses from the Quran - https://quran.com/2:184/tafsirs/en-tafisr-ibn-kathir
How do people fast? Muslims wake up before dawn to eat breakfast (suhoor or sehri) then fast from dawn until dusk. They usually break fast (iftar) with a date and water according to Islamic tradition.
While fasting people abstain from eating, drinking, and intercourse. They also spiritually fast from bad deeds like lying, cheating, etc.
What are some special traditions? During the day people fast, but at night people gather and pray together at mosques. They also make food and share it others. People host community iftars.
Muslims are not a monolith. There are "Muslim communities" vs. a "Muslim community." There are large populations of Black Muslim, South Asian, and Middle Eastern Muslims in Michigan.
Depending on their own cultural preferences, people eat various foods for suhoor/sehri before beginning the fast for the day, and when breaking fast, iftar.
Quran: The holy book in Islam was revealed in its completion during this month. Many people complete reading the Quran and complete reciting it during the congregation prayers at night.
Tarawih: During the nights of Ramadan people pray Tarawih, a congregation prayer which is broken into increments of 2 Rakat for up to 20 rakats of prayer. These prayers usually take 1 1/2-2 hours to pray each night, often finishing at midnight.
Hafiz: In the Islamic tradition, men who memorize the Quran lead the Tarawih prayers at night and complete its recitation during the prayers by the 29-30th night. There is a big dua, supplication, done together on the night of the 29th or 30th.
Masjid - mosque
Eid Al-Fitr - the celebration after Ramadan
Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem – greetings of Ramadan which mean "Have a blessed Ramadan" and "Happy Ramadan." Non-Muslims can use these greetings with Muslims, too.
NOTES FROM READERS:
I conducted an informal survey about what readers want to know about Ramadan on my Facebook and Instagram accounts. Here is what I found out:
From non-Muslims:
How teachers can support Muslim students during Ramadan
Common misconceptions of Ramadan
Islam x Latin culture. Preferably including Mexican Muslim voices (one of the fastest subgroups of Muslims growing in the U.S.)
From Muslims:
How to make the most of the month
Stories of how people engage with the Quran
How do Syrian, Yemeni, Afghan refugees who are settling in Michigan from the wars honor Ramadan traditions?
How do converts celebrate Ramadan?
Community awareness about Ramadan in neighborhoods with non-Muslim majority residents
How kids can enjoy/observe/learn about Ramadan (books)
How do Bangladeshi Muslims celebrate
Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr, the holiday after Ramadan ends. What are some foods are eaten, traditions, clothing?
NOTEABLE IN MICHIGAN
Michigan has estimates of upwards of 300,000 American Muslims.
Dearborn has the largest concentration of Arab Americans per capita. Not all Arab Americans are Muslim, nor are all Muslims, Arab Americans.
Muslims come from all walks of life.
In Metro Detroit, we have large populations of Black Muslims, Middle Eastern, and South Asian Muslims.
Not all people observe Ramadan the same way. Food and culture may impact and differ from person to person.
Many converts were observing Ramadan alone, due to not having community during the pandemic.
NPR surveyed 600 Muslim people who said they are praying for a ceasefire and want world peace and more empathy.
STORY IDEAS: [think outside the box]
Usually, local media shares an AP story sharing Ramadan started in the Middle East rather than sharing a local story. There are nearly 85 mosques in Michigan. (Updated for a more accurate number based on an estimate from CAIR Michigan 4/2022).
Suhoor Festival – draws thousands of people in the wee hours of the night to have suhoor together and features lots of local businesses.
Business perspective - what do businesses do for Ramadan? do they cater to Muslim customers? Big stores like Macy's have adapted to Muslim culture such as selling hijabs, Target featuring ads with Muslim women. Stores like Party City and Target started adding Ramadan decor a few years ago. Some immigrant-owned restaurants are usually open longer in cities like Hamtramck/Dearborn.
Schools/Students - How are students being accommodated in schools? What are their experiences? Colleges have Fast-A-Thons or communal iftars for students breaking fast sponsored by other cultural associations.
Health - What are some health benefits of fasting? What are the trends of fitness while fasting?
Sports - football/basketball/sports players fasting and their experience while playing sports
Community - Cities like Dearborn/Hamtramck may have official iftars where people can attend, and politicians gather. Many cultural associations host iftars. Mosques such as Muslim Center in Detroit and Canton's MCWS usually host the "Muslims Bridging Bridges" community.
Community Iftars - breaking fast together in large groups in various communities.
Women - Many times women are preparing special foods for their families during Ramadan. Families might eat “Ramadan only” types of food.
Decor and fashion - People purchase clothes for Eid Al-Fitr. What are people buying this year? What is the shopping experience like?
Car drives - due to the pandemic, mosques began doing drive-through Eid at mosques and dream cruise-like parade as new innovative ways to celebrate Eid.
Chand Raat - gatherings where people purchase things for Ramadan such as clothes, decor, jewelry, Eid clothes.
Food - What unique foods are eaten by people during Ramadan? What are unique foods served at restaurants?
If you have any questions or need help finding sources, please feel free to reach out to michigan@aaja.org.
This list was curated by Nargis Hakim Rahman, a reporter, producer and fill-in anchor at 101.9 WDET, Detroit's NPR station. Rahman graduated from Wayne State University, where she was a part of the Journalism Institute of Media Diversity. Rahman started as an intern at WDET in 2010. Rahman is a Bangladeshi American who was raised in Metro Detroit. She is passionate about community journalism in the Greater Detroit area. She hopes to give American Muslims and minorities a voice in the press.
"I created this guide to help reporters cover stories about Ramadan. Reporters can incorporate Ramadan into their beats," she said. "They do not have to be only religion-beat reporters. Reporters can approach Ramadan from an educational, business, or community perspective."