Ramadan Brings Prayer, Fasting, and Community for Muslims in Henrico

Mosques and businesses in the area celebrate the holy month with religious observances and traditional cuisine.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 3:34pm

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During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims in Henrico County come together at mosques like the West End Islamic Center and Masjid Yusuf to pray, fast, and strengthen their spiritual connection. The month is marked by increased charity work, community gatherings for the Iftar meal at sunset, and the sharing of traditional South Asian and Middle Eastern foods. Local businesses also cater to the Ramadan observance, offering special menus and hosting events to promote understanding between the Muslim community and their neighbors.

Why it matters

Ramadan is a significant time for the Muslim community, providing an opportunity for spiritual reflection, charitable giving, and building connections within the local area. As the Muslim population in Henrico grows, these observances help foster understanding and integration between the Muslim community and the broader public.

The details

At the West End Islamic Center, congregants gather multiple times a day to pray and read the Quran together. The mosque also hosts youth groups, fundraising efforts, and community events during Ramadan. Nearby businesses like Salaam Market and Noorani Kebab House cater to the observance, offering traditional Iftar meals and ingredients. The Islamic Circle of North America Relief charity also increases its food distribution to support Muslim families in need, many of whom have been impacted by cuts to federal food assistance programs.

  • Ramadan runs from February 28 to March 19, 2026.
  • The 'Experience Ramadan with Muslims' event is scheduled for March 7, 2026 at 4 p.m.

The players

West End Islamic Center

A mosque located in Glen Allen, Virginia that serves a diverse congregation of around 800 members.

Abdur Rahman Mostafa

The imam and resident scholar at the West End Islamic Center.

Nasser Chanda

A member of the West End Islamic Center who runs a software company.

Islamic Circle of North America Relief

A charity organization that operates a food pantry in Henrico County to support Muslim families in need.

Basit Khan

The local outreach coordinator for the Islamic Circle of North America Relief charity.

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What they’re saying

“Ramadan is a very special month. We fast this month, we pray more in this month, and we give more charity in this month. But it starts with the revelation.”

— Nasser Chanda, West End Islamic Center member

“The point of fasting is to raise our awareness. A lot of us who are more well off, we tend to, in some ways, be more gluttonous, or we don't really keep track of what we put into our bodies. We become more conscious that we sacrifice something for the sake of God to get closer to him. It's a time to get more spiritually aware.”

— Basit Khan, Local outreach coordinator, Islamic Circle of North America Relief

What’s next

The Islamic Center of Richmond is hosting an 'Experience Ramadan with Muslims' event on March 7, 2026 at 4 p.m. that will feature cultural demonstrations, Quran readings, and an Iftar meal.

The takeaway

Ramadan is a time for the Muslim community in Henrico to come together in prayer, fasting, and charitable giving, strengthening their spiritual connection and building bridges with their neighbors. The observance highlights the diversity and growth of the local Muslim population, as well as the accommodating and welcoming nature of the broader Henrico community.