- Michael Gebert
- Readying the buffet at Khan BBQ
Some years ago I was visiting my sister and her family in D.C., and we decided to eat at an Afghan restaurant near the Pentagon that she knew—it was popular, I think, among both immigrants and soldiers who had done tours there. Although we could order as soon as we arrived, we found out we wouldn’t be allowed to actually eat for another half hour. It was Ramadan, and they wouldn’t be serving food until the sun had set and Muslims could break their fast. Though to be ready for hungry coreligionists, who had been abstaining since the first peek of light a good sixteen or so hours earlier, they were already setting out tables of snacks, which would be served for free to anyone who came in the door. (More elaborate food was available at standard prices.) Sure enough, within a short time, we were glad we’d placed an order and taken a table. The place was soon packed with Muslims eager to break their fast and communally celebrate their faith.
Yvonne Maffei: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and it’s the time when Muslims believe that the holy Quran was revealed to prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. So it’s a time of reading the Quran, memorizing the Quran, reflecting on the Quran.
For us, we began fasting on the 29. Some people began on the 28. It just depends where they were in the world and if the moon is sighted in that part of the world.
Oh, I think people have pretty good manners. I think that they would understand that this person is just trying to do the right thing. But I would say just go with the flow, look to the person next to you who you know is a Muslim and just follow them and ask their guidance. But really, just enjoy the food.
Special thanks to Catherine Lambrecht
