Ramadan is almost here, which means another holy month of good deeds and daily fasting for Muslims. Abstaining from food and drink during Ramadan is meant as a period of reflection. The fasting itself is supposed to remind Muslims of the hardships that are suffered by those who cannot afford to eat or drink when they need to, which works as a simple reminder of our own blessings.

The daily fast starts with a very early pre-dawn meal, or suhoor, and lasts until iftar, or the meal to break fast, which is usually around 8 p.m., depending on when the sun sets. That’s roughly 16 hours without eating or drinking. To mark the end of Ramadan, there is a big celebration to commemorate the month of prayers, fasting, and good will with friends and family, known as Eid al-Fitr. The Eid al-Fitr celebrations tend to last two whole days. This year, Ramadan begins May 5 and ends with Eid al-Fitr on June 3-4.

Even though fasting is a big part of observing Ramadan, on a larger scale, it really is about connecting and sharing with loved ones. Many local organizations and city agencies take the opportunity to strengthen ties in the community, too. For example, the NYPD hosts an annual pre-Ramadan conference, while the NYC Mayor’s Office Of Immigrant Affairs often organizes neighborhood iftars. Whether you are a Muslim Brooklynite looking for a good spot for Iftar dinner, or a curious non-Muslim who wants to learn more about Islam and this celebrated holy month, we’ve got you covered.