KC's Muslim Community Breaks Ramadan Fast With a Feast to Remember

September 15, 2009

Author: Anne Brockhoff

Source: The Kansas City Star

http://www.kansascity.com/255/story/1446081.html

Shortly after 7 p.m. one recent Thursday evening, guests filtered into the warehouse-like Yummy’s Choice kitchen on 39th Street. A grinning Yahia Kamal, chef and owner of the Mediterranean foods company, is still cooking, so he bumps elbows with arriving friends, family and Facebook fans instead of shaking hands.

Kamal already has set out a large platter of olives, spicy pickles and three kinds of lebaneh, a spread made with feta cheese, cream cheese, garlic, herbs and walnuts, which is sold in many local supermarkets alongside his hummus and pita chips. Plates of tabbouleh (bulgar, tomatoes, parsley, mint, olive oil and lemon juice) are ready to be passed. Stacks of empty cups stand next to gallons of pomegranate lemonade and Kamal’s signature mint-saffron lemonade.

Everyone is hungry, but no one takes a bite or sip. That’s because it’s Ramadan, the month when Muslims the world over fast from sunup to sundown. On this day, that’s from about 5:42 a.m. until 7:36 p.m., according to a calendar provided by the Islamic Center of Kansas.