During Ramadan, the Muslim community in Tucson joins millions of people around the world for a month of fasting, reflection and charity, starting on the evening of Feb. 28.

“Ramadan is the month of fasting for Muslims. It’s based on a lunar calendar, which means the day starts for us at sunset and ends at the following sunset,” Hassan Ali said, an imam at the Muslim Community Center of Tucson (MCC), who leads prayers at the mosque.

“During this period, Muslims don’t eat or drink anything and abstain from everything that’s essentially forbidden during the day,” he said.

Ali started at MCC five years ago, after earning a master’s in divinity with a focus on Islamic chaplaincy from the Chicago Theological Seminary. 

On a typical Friday, “we serve between 350 to 400 people for prayer,” he said. “Tucson has two other mosques, so many people are attending prayers, especially during Ramadan.”

At the end of each day’s fast, many Muslims traditionally break their fast with dates, followed by water. Iftar, the meal eaten at sunset during Ramadan, provides quick energy and helps replenish the body after hours of fasting.

In addition to fasting, community support and charity are also central to Ramadan observance. At MCC, members come together to observe the fast and give back to those in need.

“Ramadan is all about giving back to the community. We do it year-round, but especially during Ramadan,” Ali said.

During this time, the community engages in charitable activities such as sponsoring iftar meals, packing meals with area churches and supporting the less fortunate by providing easy-to-prepare nutritious meals for those without access to cooking facilities.

Youth are also deeply involved during Ramadan, though they are not required to fast.

“The youth help set up, babysit for kids upstairs and participate in Quran and even dance competitions,” Ali said.

Children and youth might also spend a couple of hours fasting, training to gradually take on more responsibilities as they get older.

Ali said he has seen the Muslim population in Tucson has increased in recent years, partly because Arizona participates in the federal refugee program, helping displaced people, many of whom are Muslim, settle in the area.

“Arizona is a resettlement state, so a lot of refugees come here from Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Over the years, the numbers have increased, especially with the rise in University of Arizona students and defense contracting,” he said.

Ziynet Jienbaeva, a junior studying chemical engineering at the UA and an international student from Uzbekistan, said fasting during Ramadan in Tucson was challenging at first, especially while working.

“At first, it was a little bit challenging when I was working … People would be like, ‘Why can’t you drink? Why can’t you eat?’ They’d be offering food. I was like, ‘No, I’m fasting.’ And then, yeah, they got used to it. Now, they don’t ask anymore; they know,” she said.

Jienbaeva attends events at the Islamic Center of Tucson on the UA campus, where she participates in sisterhood gatherings, including vision board meetings and Quran and Arabic classes.

“It’s super nice. We have potlucks where girls from different cultures bring their traditional food,” she said.

She said it’s helpful to connect with other members of her faith in a city where many people aren’t familiar with Islam. Even before Ramadan, she said, she attended community clean-up events and informational lectures about the holiday.

“It’s a great way to connect with others and learn more about our faith,” she said.

When Ramadan ends on March 3o, Muslims celebrate with the holiday Eid al-Fitr.

“For us, Eid is not about celebrating a specific event but the end of the fast. We come together as a community, enjoy breakfast and have activities like bouncy houses for kids and pizza for everyone,” Ali said.

Jienbaeva said Eid celebrations in her culture are more family-focused. 

“We don’t really go to mosques, especially in my country where women aren’t allowed to go,” she said. “We gather as a family, give each other gifts, pray on that day and enjoy a lot of food, because it’s the last day of fasting. One important thing is that we buy special clothes for the occasion.”

In Tucson and across the United States, Ramadan and Eid bring together Muslims from various backgrounds, each with unique traditions, while celebrating their shared faith.

Building understanding and respect

As the Muslim community in Tucson grows, so do efforts to build connections with people of all faiths, Ali said. Beyond Ramadan rituals, understanding and unity are key.

“Respect for other religions is something we always preach. If you don’t understand something, just ask. I’m sure someone will explain to you how the rituals work,” he said.

He believes by engaging with others, Muslims and non-Muslims can better understand and appreciate each other’s traditions.

“We’re living in a very polarized world,” he said. “Understanding each other is key. If you’re a non-Muslim boss with employees who are fasting, they may seem tired or less energetic. It’s not laziness; fasting takes a toll on the body.”

Especially in a community where Muslims are a minority and come from countries around the world, he urged Tucsonans to be thoughtful about how they approach their friends and coworkers.

“If you’re offering them food, be mindful,” he added. “Offer something considerate, like fruit or juice, instead of meat. Not everyone consumes the same foods, and a little awareness can go a long way in showing respect for their observance.”

Ramadan began on February 28 and ends on March 30 this year, followed by Eid al-Fitr. 

For more information about Ramadan and the Muslim community in Tucson, local mosques including the Muslim Community Center and the Islamic Center of Tucson offer resources and events throughout the month.

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of
Arizona School of Journalism.