By: Rebecca King
(NORTH JERSEY) A hearty slice of navy bean pie, spiced meats fresh off the grill, creamy hummus, tender half-roasted chicken and fragrant Afghan rice — these are dishes worthy of a celebration.
Indeed, when the sun goes down on May 12, many Muslims will break their fast with these dishes as Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday on the last day of the holy month of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, many Muslims fast from sun-up to sun-down. In Arabic, Eid al-Fitr means the “festival of the breaking of the fast.”
The holy day is ushered in with prayer, festivals and, yes, plenty of food.
In North Jersey, Eid al-Fitr is widely celebrated. New Jersey has the highest percentage of Muslim residents in the U.S. at 3% of the population, according to the Pew Research Center. Paterson alone has the second-largest Muslim population of any city in the country.
