Ramadan Mubarak From the WA West African Center

February 24, 2026

By Pa Ousman Joof
/ Community Update

Ramadan Mubarak from Washington West African Center

As the crescent moon marks the beginning of Ramadan, the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and the entire West African community wish you a peaceful and blessed month of Ramadan!

Ramadan is a sacred month during which Muslims around the world fast in submission to God, deepen their spiritual connection, and engage in acts of generosity and purification. In the spirit of sharing and togetherness that defines this blessed month.

At WAWAC, Ramadan is more than a time of fasting. It is a time of service, compassion, generosity, culture and community. It is one of our busiest and most meaningful seasons, as our staff and volunteers work throughout the month to support hundreds of families, elders, and community members across Washington.

Rooted in our West African and Muslim traditions of sharing and togetherness, our Ramadan efforts focus on making sure no one in our community feels alone or hungry during this sacred time.

Supporting our Elders through our Grandma Sukuri Ndogu

For six consecutive years, the Washington West African Center (WAWAC) has proudly supported our grandmothers with Ramadan groceries to help them prepare for Iftar. This year, our goal was to serve 100 grandmas, and we were blessed to support 107 who registered.

We provided essential items for breaking the fast, including lamb, chicken, fish, dates, fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, sugar, cooking oil, and other staple items to ease their Ramadan preparations.

For our elders, this tradition is very important to them as it takes away nostalgia and bring them together to fulfill a very important ritual, sharing food and praying for their families and the community.

Their strength and resilience continue to inspire us.

This year’s Sukuri Ndogu was last Saturday February 21st, 2026.

Our Annual Iftar/Ndogu/warm meals

Every Ramadan, WAWAC partners with the African Restaurants like Bantaba, Dijah’s Kitchen and Mbabas Kitchen in Lynnwood and Heritage African Restaurant in Everett to provide 400 plates of warm meals to our community. This tradition held at the Bilal Islamic Center in Everett dates back to 7 years ago.

We also organize a similar event in in Vancouver (Clark County) in partnership with Kabba’s Kitchen and the Southwest Washington and Oregon Gambian Association (SWAGA).

At our Lynnwood office, we also host a special Iftar for staff and volunteers, bringing together more than 30 team members who serve across our programs.

Many of our team members have different work schedules and rarely meet. This gathering is a space to connect, appreciate one another, and strengthen the relationships that power our work every day.

These events promote a sense of community, preserve and strengthen a long-time tradition of sharing food during Ramadan which is a Sunnah of the Prophet (S.A.W).

Because we are raising our kids in the midst of different cultures, we have a responsibility to teach them our positive values such as sharing and coming together.

Very delicious and authentic food is served, including kids’ meals.

This year’s Iftar scheduled for Friday, February 27th, 2026, from 5pm to 8pm at the West African Community Hall, 19203 36th Ave W, Suite 210, Lynnwood, WA 98036 will be a potluck-style gathering. Guests are welcome to bring a dish to share, kindly ensuring that all food is halal (no pork products). Whether you bring a dish or not, your presence is what truly matters.

This event is open to everyone in the community (YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MUSLIM TO ATTEND), and we warmly welcome you to enjoy a delicious meal, meaningful connections, and the spirit of Ramadan with us while celebrating our staff and volunteers.

Join Us This Ramadan

Our Ramadan activities

continue throughout the month, and we invite you to stay connected, volunteer, or share this information with someone who may benefit.

See video of our upcoming Iftar

Ramadan is a busy season for WAWAC.

But it is also the season that reminds us why we exist.

To honor our elders.

To feed our community.

To preserve our traditions.

To support our families.

To keep the spirit of togetherness alive for the next generation.

If you don’t come because you need food, come because you need community.

Ramadan Mubarak.

May this Holy month bring peace, healing, and blessings to you and your loved ones.

If you have the intention to attend but would not be able to, we welcome your support.

If you are just learning about our work, we invite you to join us.

You can make a difference for as little as:

$1 Or any amount you feel comfortable contributing.

Donate Today by scanning the QR code or use the donation links below.

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For more information, please contact us at:

info@wewac.org

425-758-3269

The Washington West African Center, connecting West Africans in Washington with local resources and bridge the gap between us and the wider community. If we don’t have it, we go find it

WASHINTON WEST AFRICAN CENTER | 19203 36th Avenue W, Suite 210 | Lynnwood, WA 98036 US