Overview:
“It’s difficult knowing that some are fasting without the luxury of a meal at the end of the day—without proper food, housing, or security.”
For many Muslims in Fresno, Ramadan serves as a spiritual reset—a time for deep personal reflection and discipline. This can mean abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours, limiting distractions like social media, or practicing greater patience in daily interactions.
It’s also a period of increased devotion, where many focus on prayer, charitable giving, and strengthening their connection to faith.
Kauser Siddiqui, a board member of the MY DEEN Islamic Center, said the center welcomes the community for nightly dinners throughout Ramadan and offers breakfast during the last 10 days, which are considered the holiest nights.
“We see fasting as sort of a purification of the body, but it’s also time to purify the heart, when you are more empathetic to what other people are going through,” said Siddiqui. “The hope is that, when Ramadan leaves, that there has been a personal change or shift, that there’s been some purification and some cleansing of the heart and the mind that’s occurred, as well as the body.”
Siddiqui said that, this year, many community members feel immense sadness for the suffering of people around the world, particularly refugee and migrant populations who lack food and security. She pointed to the impact of cuts to USAID programs, which could lead to loss of life in humanitarian crisis zones like Sudan, where more than 1,000 food aid kitchens supported by USAID have already shut down amid widespread starvation.
This also includes the killing of more than 400 Palestinians, many of them children, on March 18, during the month of Ramadan, as Israel resumed intense bombing of Gaza, breaking a ceasefire with Hamas that had already been repeatedly violated in the preceding weeks.
“What’s happening around the world is at the forefront for many Muslims,” said Siddiqui. “It’s difficult knowing that some are fasting without the luxury of a meal at the end of the day—without proper food, housing, or security. This brings a different impact to Ramadan, knowing I can prepare a meal for my family while others cannot break their fast the same way.”
Siddiqui said that charity is a fundamental part of Ramadan, providing support to communities both locally and globally, especially during times of unrest. While donations help support families and provide food, she acknowledged that not everyone can be reached.
Charity and fasting are key aspects of Ramadan, said Siddiqui, offering Muslims a moment to reflect on others’ hardships, embody a state of gratitude, and become more aware of the world beyond themselves. To foster this reflection, the center holds nightly Ramadan gatherings where Muslims can share their thoughts or discuss passages from the Qur’an that have deeply impacted their lives.
How sharing the meaning of Ramadan brings community together
Madiha Patel and Manal Samaha, two curators of the Fresno State Library exhibit, Beyond Ramadan: The Heart of Fasting, designed the exhibit to spark conversations about the spiritual, cultural, and communal significance of Ramadan within Fresno’s diverse Muslim community.
The exhibit features a variety of artifacts, including Ramadan cookbooks showcasing different types of foods prepared during the month, as well as Qur’ans in multiple languages—English, Spanish, Urdu, and Arabic—offering different translations and genres, including a graphic novel loaned from the Fresno State Library.
“You’re so deeply immersed in it that this opportunity has allowed us to step back and think about how we can share our practices with others in a meaningful way,” said Patel. “Given the context, it’s a chance to reflect on the traditions we hold dear—those that are central to our faith and shape how we approach Ramadan, both individually and collectively.”
The exhibit invites visitors to explore how Muslims celebrate Ramadan, what fasting means and what common foods are eaten during the month. It explores the core values of fasting, prayer, reflection, and charity that define Ramadan.
“We wanted to ensure that the exhibit reflects the rich diversity within the Muslim community,” said Samaha. “Ramadan is observed in so many different ways across cultures, and this exhibit is an opportunity to share those traditions and the beauty of this sacred month. It’s also about building connections—giving people a chance to see how their neighbors celebrate, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversations that foster understanding and community.”
Samaha said she hopes visitors can help celebrate the diversity of Muslim students at Fresno State while fostering inclusivity, interfaith dialogue, and respect for religious traditions.
A key feature of the exhibit includes three different pop-up tables in front of the library where visitors can sample foods commonly eaten during Ramadan across various regions, including Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East. The last pop-up will happen on March 24 at 12:30 p.m.
Dishes featured include dolma, a variety of stuffed dishes typically filled with rice, spices, or meat wrapped in vegetables or leaves, and yalanji, grape leaves stuffed with a vegetarian rice filling.
The exhibit, which opened on Feb. 27, will remain on display until March 27, just two days before the end of Ramadan. Patel and Samaha collaborated with the President’s Muslim Leadership Council to bring the exhibit to life and hope to showcase it again in the future.
“The hope is that, through this exhibit, people can gain awareness and empathy,” said Patel. “For example, if a colleague seems a little low on energy, it’s not because something is wrong or they’re upset—it’s because they’re fasting for Ramadan. It’s a gentle reminder to be mindful of these experiences and to foster understanding and support in the community.”
Ramadan concludes on March 29 with Eid al-Fitr, a celebration where Muslims come together for community prayers, festive meals, gift exchanges, and acts of charity. Eid al-Fitr marks the beginning of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar that signifies new life and renewal after a month of spiritual cleansing.
