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The Weekender: Boston's Saturday Morning Newsletter
During a somber Ramadan, a uniquely American tradition sparks joy for Boston Muslims
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's Saturday morning newsletter, The Weekender. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan comes to a close this Wednesday, punctuated by Eid al-Fitr, or “the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.” Eid al-Fitr is one of two annual Eid holidays celebrated by Muslims worldwide. (The other, called Eid al-Adha, is slated for mid-June.)
For many, Ramadan this year has been filled with somber reflections over the ongoing war in Gaza. Locals have noted that grief over the loss of Palestinian lives has muted the expressions of gratitude and joy typically felt at this time.
“It’s very hard to watch any of it without feeling a strong sense of pain and helplessness,” said Zeenat Rasheed, a member of the outreach committee at the Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland. “But while we may feel helpless, we refuse to despair. The best thing we can do is be grateful for what we have, and maintain a sense of resilience for ourselves."
“We celebrate Eid by going to prayers,” Rasheed added. “We’re praying for those who are suffering and hope their suffering is alleviated. Grief and joy are human emotions we all carry. But we can’t let our sadness overtake our joy.”
How someone celebrates Eid differs by culture or continent, but across the U.S., there are some common practices, like baking pastries and decorating your home ahead of the holiday. But there’s one other (informal) tradition I look forward to every Eid: Dressing to the nines to attend an early morning prayer, directly followed by a big breakfast at IHOP.
Going to IHOP on Eid is an unofficial tradition for Muslims across the country. But it’s not easy to pinpoint where the practice began or why it carries on. Michigan Public spoke to a few Muslims outside of IHOP on Eid al-Fitr in 2018, who gave a variety of reasons as to why they dine at IHOP on Eid, such as convenience, affordability and the fact the pancakes are just plain delicious.
IHOP did not return our requests for comment, but Stephanie Peterson, an IHOP spokeswoman, told Thrillist back in 2020 that throughout the chain’s more than 60 years in business, it has prided itself on serving families from all backgrounds.
“When you have holidays like this, just seems to fit so well with the kind of comfort of the brand and the fact that we do have that welcoming quality,” she said.
Local franchises are in on this tradition, too. According to staff at the IHOP location in Brighton, the 24-hour restaurant is already preparing for the semi-annual influx of customers. Imam Abdulqadir Farah, of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center in Roxbury, may be one of them.
“I’m one of those people who go to IHOP,” said Farah. “I think it became a tradition, because they serve dishes that a lot of people enjoy — eggs, omelettes, things like that. And it’s a manageable cost. Before I became an imam, I was an accountant. So, I like that it’s within budget.”
Rasheed doesn’t do Eid breakfast at IHOP, “but I know people that go on Eid or for suhoor,” she said. “It’s open super late. And for many of us coming from Muslim-majority countries, where everything’s open at night, that’s familiar to people. What’s not to love?”
For me, Eid at IHOP is about being surrounded by my community. Scanning the dining room of my family’s go-to IHOP, I can almost always pick out a familiar face. It may seem like a quirky place to convene, but I treasure being able to toss someone a smile back and wish them a happy holiday.
P.S. — If you’ve got a hankering for pancakes after reading this, check out this recipe for lemon ricotta pancakes from Here & Now resident chef Kathy Gunst. (Perfect for an at-home Eid brunch, in case you don’t want to wait in line at your favorite breakfast spot, IHOP or otherwise.)
