Columbia’s first Ramadan night market offers evening of community

In partnership with the University of South Carolina’s Humanities Collaborative initiative The Muslim South and the Columbia Muslim Association, the Columbia Museum of Art presents Columbia’s first-ever Ramadan Night Market on Thursday, March 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This free event on Boyd Plaza features a market with local handicraft and clothing vendors, post-sunset dinners for purchase from local food trucks, and free art activities including paper lantern making and personalized calligraphy from local artists.

“The Columbia Museum of Art is thrilled to be hosting this historic market!” says Wilson Bame, CMA associate director of engagement. “We’re looking forward to celebrating community and this holiday with our partners alongside the many other folks downtown for First Thursday on Main.”

Muslims make up over 25% of the global population. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims all over the world as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

“There are over 1 million Muslims in the U.S. South, and their stories have yet to be told. This kind of event fosters pathways of learning between the humanities in academia and the broader public,” says Dr. Sarah Waheed, USC history professor and member of The Muslim South initiative. “Islam has deep roots here, notably with formerly enslaved African American Muslims, who are a vital dimension of American Muslim life. More recently, there are rapidly growing Muslim immigrant communities from South Asia, refugees from Myanmar and Afghanistan, as well as peoples from the Middle East and Central Asia, many of whom will be represented at the market.”

Throughout the evening, Muslims in observance of Ramadan will have a space dedicated to prayer. The event features Qur’an recitation, which will take place after the sunset prayers and be available for all to hear.

During this holy month that commemorates Prophet Muhammad’s first revelation, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. In Muslim countries, after breaking their fast (iftar), Muslims spend their time in spiritual devotion, and markets and bazaars come to life at night. Ramadan night markets offer a space for Muslims to socialize during the month and shop in preparation for Eid-ul Fitr, the feast celebrated at the end of the holy month. Ramadan night markets are a significant source of income for small businesses and street vendors, providing a boost to local economies.

One of the vendors, Ruya, is excited for the event: “I think more young Muslims should start their own businesses and be part of more markets like this one. Creating our own spaces is so important.”

Visitors of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to come by for this welcoming market, meet people both within and outside the Muslim community, and learn about one of the most important traditions of the Islamic faith.

“This is a time when it’s important to intentionally seek out and support communities different from our own,” says Daniel Alvarez, a Columbia resident looking forward to the event. “I’m not a Muslim, but I will be there because I want to support, celebrate, and learn more about my friends and neighbors who observe Ramadan. I love that I live in a city with events like this. What a great opportunity.”