(Miami Herald, 4/7/2023) 

“We have made you nations and tribes that you may come to know one another.”

Muslims in South Florida are living out this statement from the Qur’an, the Muslim book of scripture. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims from different cultures, ethnicities and social and economic backgrounds gather to follow the commands of God to pray and break the fast from food and drink — Iftar.

Although from different cultures, they all face the same direction and say the same words to acknowledge and show gratitude to the Creator who gave them life. It does not matter if the person is Caribbean, Arab, African, African American, Hispanic, Eastern European or Asian. They stand and bow in unity. The food on the table or, perhaps, the language they speak and the clothes they wear indicate that they may hail from a different land or culture. But for 29 days they all fast, practicing carnal and emotional restraint and heightening their focus on spiritual and rational development through reading the Qur’an and prayer.

Read more from CAIR-FL Media & Outreach Director, Wilfredo Ruiz & South Florida Muslim Federation’s Miami-Dade Representative Patricia Salahuddin at: During Ramadan, South Florida Muslims Find Unity in Their Diversity