Ramadan is an annual Islamic practice in which adherents are tasked with fasting during all hours of daylight in effort to empathize with the strife of poverty faced globally. In its essence, Ramadan is simply a month dedicated to the spiritual teachings of discipline.

Among the many questions surrounding Ramadan, one of the most common concerns is often: “Is it possible to go 30 consecutive days without eating or drinking?”

The short answer: Nope.

The enriching, entertaining, and educational answer will be developed here in Ramadan Eats, a series that will explore the foods behind the fast and the restaurants that assist in Ramadan.

For the inaugural edition of Ramadan Eats, Aga’s Restaurant & Catering, a local Indian-Pakistani restaurant, is spotlighted.

Since its founding in 2001, Aga’s Restaurant & Catering has served delicious, shareable meals that fuse both Indian and Pakistani cuisine. But the specific type of cuisine is not the sole feature that attracts customers; it is the halal guarantee that draws in its Muslim customer base.

The word ‘halal’ is an Arabic word which translates to ‘permissible’ in English. It is used when identifying products that Muslims are allowed to use and consume, in contrast to ‘haram’ items which are ‘forbidden.’

By creating a menu tailored to the dietary needs of most Muslims, Aga’s Restaurant & Catering has greatly expanded to include many signature dishes, such as their goat chops and tehri biryani.

During the month of Ramadan, the full scope of Aga’s Restaurant & Catering can be seen.

“Actually, [business] is very good,” said Zabin Maredia, assistant manager of Aga’s Restaurant & Catering. “There will be a lot of reservations. We even have some events coming up for iftar parties.”

This is of little surprise given the extra amenities and gifts provided by Aga’s Restaurant & Catering during the month of Ramadan.

“We usually keep some complimentary iftar as well,” said Maredia. “We usually keep some dates, pakoras, or samosas…Our menu will be regular, but we offer a complimentary [iftar] buffet.”

The practice of sharing iftar at Aga’s Restaurant & Catering works to bring people together and allows them to share a unique experience.

“The whole process of fasting and waiting until iftar to open the fast with everyone is a really good feeling,” said Maredia.

Maredia believes that Aga’s Restaurant & Catering works well to fuse different types of food in memorable meals for everybody to share.

“[Cypress Creek readers] can really give Aga’s a try,” said Maredia. “We have really good food that they can taste, and we have a lot of options. Something will fill their taste for sure.”