Organizers and volunteers of the Muslim Foster Care Association (MFCA) hosted a buffet-style meal and celebration for its third annual Ramadan iftar, bringing Muslim foster youth and families together.

Iftar is the meal where Muslims break their fast during Ramadan.

There was a row of savory food from the halal restaurant Sukho Thai in Dearborn Heights, and a table full of sweet treats like knafeh and enormous Macadamia cookies.

MFCA Co-founder Sameena Zahoor welcomed the attendees. 

“I want to thank the families and the foster parents and the families are helping the foster parents and the foster youth that are here today,” she said.

Many Muslims spend time fasting, praying, and doing extra worship with a community during Ramadan. However, many Muslim foster children in Michigan end up spending Ramadan in non-Muslim foster homes — alone. 

MFCA wanted to provide a space for the youth to be in community with others.

Salifu Mahmoud previously lived in a non-Muslim home as a foster youth since resettling from Ghana about three years ago. He now lives in independent housing in Canton. 

He says fasting during Ramadan is an important part of his religious practices.

“Living with someone who is not like Muslim, like foster care, it’s kind of hard in Ramadan,” he shared.

Mahmoud says his former foster care provider was unaware of his religion or obligations during Ramadan — such as waking up early to eat suhoor, the morning meal before fasting, or praying Taraweeh in congregation at a mosque during Ramadan nights. 

This year Mahmoud is staying with a Muslim family during Ramadan, allowing him to experience the familial and communal practices of the month.

“Since I moved to America, this is my best Ramadan,” he said, reflecting that it reminds him of his Ramadans in Africa. “They [his Muslim foster parents] treat me like their kids, showing me love.” 

At the iftar, Tonja Baker, a therapist who works for Whaley Children’s Center in Flint, came to learn more about MFCA.

“I was connected through this program for one of our youth at the campus, and managed to be able to bring her down and have her enjoy, you know, Iftar, and be able to just meet and greet with the other families that are here,” she said.

It’s important for the staff to learn culturally competent care to provide services or Muslim youth, Baker said, and the center tries to link Muslim youth to mosques in the area, but resources are scarce.

In addition to the iftar, MFCA passed out Ramadan 215 baskets filled with goodies like dates, halal marshmallows, and a Target gift card to Muslim foster youth in Michigan. 

Shereen Abunada, director of operations at MFCA, says she’s been working to increase the number of Muslim foster parents, but many are feeling burnout.

“That happens when parents have a placement that doesn’t go as well as they had hoped,” she said.

There are about 10 licensed Muslim foster families for the state’s 250 Muslim foster youth, 50 more than last year.

Abunada says the number of Muslim youth in the system has increased. In anticipation of potentially changing immigration policies, resettlement agencies recently expedited travel for Muslim foster youth from West African countries.

“So we’ve had an influx of about 50 to 70 youth that have just recently arrived in the in the past couple months,” she said.

Abunada says unaccompanied refugee minors feel vulnerable.

“A lot of them are also just the fear of being deported, the fear of being targeted. A lot of these kids are just by themselves, kind of going back to their own, their home countries, or trying to find other places to be,” she said.

Abunada says organizations and agencies are working to protect the children.

Hosting the iftar was one way to create a community for the foster youth, as they navigate the next steps in their journeys.

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Dearborn Public Schools is providing free meals for students to take home for iftar, the break fast meal during the month of Ramadan.

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Many Dearborn students are Muslim and will abstain from eating and drinking until sunset, missing school lunch. Food service director Emi Kreste said that the district has wanted to provide Ramadan accommodations for years, but that it wasn’t possible until now.

“[The Michigan Department of Education] (MDE) and USDA has allowed, now, school districts to complete a waiver which will allow students to take the lunch at home,” he said.

MDE and the USDA have a rule stating that school lunches are only allowed to be eaten on school property.

This rule has now been amended for Ramadan.

–Reporting by Zahra Hassan, WDET.

More headlines for Tuesday, March 4, 2025:

• Broadcaster Roland Martin is planning alternative programming to President Donald Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, inviting members of the Congressional Black Caucus, labor leaders and activists to participate in “The State of Our Union,” airing on the Black Star Network and on Martin’s YouTube channel.
• Choreographer and MacArthur “Genius” Grant winner Kyle Abraham and his dance company A.I.M. will perform at the Wright Museum of African American History on March 28-29. The series of dances were inspired by the Wright’s collection and choreographed exclusively for the museum. 
• Detroit’s Ombudsman’s Office will hold office hours at businesses and recreation centers across the city this spring and summer. The Ombudsman’s Office serves as an independent oversight and investigative agency for the city, addressing complaints and advocating on behalf of residents. The office plans to visit community sites 20 times through July 23, with the next meeting taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at the A.B. Ford Community Center, 100 Lenox St.
• The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners’ Youth Advisory Panel is hosting a Young People & 21st Century Policing Symposium from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 15 at the Wayne State University Law School, 471 West Palmer Ave. Discussions will focus on youth interactions with police, bias in law enforcement, public policy and more. The event is free and lunch will be provided. Register on eventbrite.
• The Detroit Parks Coalition and the Detroit Public Library are partnering for an inaugural Bookmark Design Contest. K-12 students are invited to design a bookmark that highlights the city’s parks, libraries and people. Designs can be submitted before the end of the month. Winning designs will be published and distributed in parks and libraries and shared on social media.  

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

There are many religious rituals and traditions practiced around the world where food plays a central role.

Food encourages us to gather with one another and share stories, while particular dishes and cuisines help tell the story of where we came from, who we are and where we hope to go. 

The holy month of Ramadan, which began at sunset on Friday, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims around the world through prayer, fasting, reflection and ending with a large, celebratory breaking-of-the-fast, known as Eid al-Fitr. Today is also Fat Tuesday, marking the end of the weeks-long Mardi Gras celebration leading up to Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent in the Christian faith.

Today on The Metro, we were joined by three metro Detroit chefs to discuss the common connections food has with cultural or religious traditions and celebrations.

Guests:

• Nikita Sanches: Detroit-area chef and owner of the Patchwork Culinary Project, a nonprofit education program that offers culinary training to immigrants and refugees. 
• Omar Anani: Chef and owner of the James Beard-nominated Saffron De Twah, an award-winning modern Moroccan bistro on the east side of Detroit.
• Ameneh Marhaba: Founder and owner of Little Liberia, a West African eatery which is about to relocate to Detroit’s East English Village neighborhood.  

Use the media player above to listen to the full conversation.

More headlines from The Metro on March 4, 2025:  

• At the turn of the 20th century, metro Detroit had one of the largest mass transit system in the United States. But ridership decreased over the years, and the streetcar system became too costly for the city to maintain. The streetcar tracks across the city have since been paved over, but a new campaign from the Metro Detroit Democratic Socialists of America aims to restore the tracks along Michigan Avenue. Metro Detroit DSA member Melina Herrera joined The Metro to discuss how the organization is working to move the needle on transit in Detroit.

• Juli McLoone is a curator in the Special Collections Research Center at the University of Michigan. One of her focus areas is the evolution of cuisine in various regions and cultures, and she helped preserve and digitize the only known copy of the earliest cookbook authored by a Black woman, “A Domestic Cook Book: For the Kitchen” by Mrs. Malinda Russel — published in Michigan in 1866.

• We also revisited two recent conversations on The Metro with Bharat Ramamurti, senior advisor for economic strategy at the American Economic Liberties Project, and Canadian Economist Jim Stanford about Trump’s tariffs, both paused and in effect.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Tonight on The Detroit Evening Report, we cover new water rates, upcoming road closures and more.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Lower water rate hike approved

The Great Lakes Water Authority has voted to approve a water rate hike that is lower than it originally proposed. After listening to dozens of public comments, the authority lowered the proposed rate hike from nearly 8 percent down to 5.9 percent.

GLWA Board Member and Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Director Gary Brown thanked the board for working with Detroit’s finance team to decrease the hike.

“We could recognize in our rates in Detroit, it is not as low as most people will want. Certainly, we feel this will fit the needs of affordability in the city of Detroit. So again, thank you for working closely with us to get these numbers down.”

The decision comes a week after an authority-owned water transmission main broke and affected 400 homes in Southwest Detroit.

Legislation proposed to better track students

A new bill that would improve the tracking of students from one school district to another is expected to be introduced in the Michigan legislature.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard helped draft the bill. He says the goal is to ensure that confirmation of a student’s transfer doesn’t end at the request for transcripts. The new legislation is a response to an abuse and neglect case in Pontiac.

“That one school doesn’t presume the other school now has the kids, because what happened was they never actually moved to the new school, and the prior school district just dropped them from their enrollment.”

In the Pontiac case, three children never attended school after allegedly being left alone in their home by their mother for several years.

WSU raises free tuition threshold

Wayne State University is raising the income threshold for a free tuition program. The university is now offering free tuition to Michigan families that make $80,000 or less. The offer is renewable for up to four years.

Incoming freshmen must be applying to the university for the first time and be Michigan residents. Residents must be eligible for the Pell grant in 2025. They must be enrolled full time and have submitted their FAFSA by April 1, 2025.

Dearborn air pollution lawsuit settled

Pro-V Enterprises, an industrial waste processing company in Dearborn, has settled a lawsuit against the city for air pollution. The company has agreed to invest up to $4 million in improvements to its operations to mitigate air pollution by June 30.

The city claimed “fugitive” dust that the company’s trucking vehicles carried was a danger to residents’ health. The company is required to make improvements including planting trees, replacing stormwater systems and annual inspections.

Dearborn to provide free iftar meals

For the first time ever, Dearborn Public Schools will provide free iftar meals for students to take home during Ramadan. Middle and high school students can pick up the to-go meal during school hours, but cannot eat the meal at school. Ramadan starts Friday night.

I-696 closure starts Saturday

As a reminder for drivers, eastbound I-696 will be closing between M-10 (The Lodge) and I-75 freeways for two years starting Saturday, March 1. It’s the final phase of the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Restore the Reuther project.

Westbound traffic will be maintained while both sides of the freeway will be rebuilt between Lahser Road and I-75. The project work includes rebuilding the roadway, bridge work and drainage structures.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

This week, we’ve got live performances from some incredible musicians spanning across genres. Plus, unique art showcases, cultural celebrations and Great Lakes Comic-Con. Read on to learn more.

Live music

This year, the Concert of Colors is expanding its programs to grassroots neighborhoods citywide, bringing more free music to the residents of Detroit. On Saturday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m., Duane Stephenson, global ambassador of Reggae, will play live at the historic Redford Theatre in Detroit presented in partnership with the Caribbean Cultural & Carnival Organization. This special event will celebrate Black History Month with music, culture and community at one of Detroit’s most beloved venues. This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event goes until 10 p.m. For more information, visit our events page.

The Hawk Theatre in Farmington Hills is continuing its celebration of Black artists during Black History Month with a performance by Urban Art Orchestra on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. — fresh off their Australian tour. Led by GRAMMY-nominated De’Sean Jones, Urban Art Orchestra blends the richness of a traditional orchestra with the infectious energy of urban beats. UAO is known for pushing the boundaries of musical genres to a captivating fusion that defies expectations. Tickets for this all-ages performance are $25 online or $30 at the door. For more information, visit thehawktheatre.com.

Listen: Urban Art Orchestra performs on Sam’s Jams Live

On Saturday, Feb. 22, Miss Eva’s Detroit continues their Saturday Night Unplugged series with a stripped-down performance from Detroit’s own Apropos. A soulful powerhouse singer-songwriter, Apropos pours his heart into every note — a vulnerability that’s sure to lend itself well to the intimate nature of the series. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show goes from 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door, no advance purchase necessary. For more information, visit @missevasdetroit on Instagram.

Listen: Apropos performs Live on WDET

Local art

On Saturday, Feb. 22, Kalamazoo is hosting its 27th annual Garage Sale Art Fair at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center. This fun and unique art fair gives local and national artists a chance to sell their overstock, discontinued items and seconds for discounted prices. The event promises great deals on great work, and hopefully some fun experimental pieces as well. Entry is $5 cash and food will be available for purchase on-site. For more information, visit garagesaleartfair.com.

On Sunday, Feb. 23, Umoja Fine Arts Gallery in Southfield is hosting a Black History Month Youth Artist Showcase and Award Reception to celebrate young talent and creativity. This free event highlights works by artists between 11 and 21 years old, featured alongside works by professional artists. Doors open at 3 p.m. For more information, visit umojafinearts.com.

Listen: Umoja Fine Arts Curator Ian Grant joins The Metro to talk about the gallery’s efforts to support young artists

Cultural celebrations

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs in Canton is hosting their 4th annual Ramadan Market from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Local vendors will be selling abayas, groceries imported from the Middle East and other goods traditionally used during the month of Ramadan like, Ramadan decor, Islamic jewelry, Islamic books and more. The event will also offer creative workshops throughout the day, including a children’s Ramadan story time, cookie decorating, lantern building and designing your own iftar plate. Admission is free, but those interested are encouraged to RSVP online. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page. 

For the fans

Great Lakes Comic-Con returns to the Macomb Expo Center in Warren this weekend from Friday, Feb. 21 through Sunday, Feb. 23. GLCC is the ultimate gathering for comic lovers, toy collectors and cosplay enthusiasts to share in the fandom. There will be guest appearances, attractions, cosplay contests for all ages, fan panels and gaming. Tickets range from $20 to $25, children 10 and under get in free, and a limited amount of free tickets are available to active military, veterans and their families as well. To see the full lineup of attractions and learn more, visit greatlakescomicconvention.com.