Muslim in Manila
Navigating Ramadan Solo in the Philippines: A Muslim Expat's Guide
Mar 2, 2025
When I moved to the Philippines in October 2023, I never imagined how transformative my Ramadan experience would be the following year. Though I had celebrated Ramadan here in 2023 as well, my commitment to fasting and prayer deepened significantly in 2024. Despite being alone, I maintained strong discipline throughout the holy month. This blog aims to help fellow Muslims who may find themselves observing Ramadan in the Philippines, particularly in Metro Manila.
Islamic Community in the Philippines
It's important to note that most Muslims in the Philippines follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Sunni). Despite being a minority, there is a rich Islamic heritage here with many scholars and devout Muslims throughout the country. During Ramadan, Saudi Arabia often sends Sheikhs to lead Taraweeh prayers, particularly at the Golden Mosque in Quiapo. These visiting imams typically complete at least one full recitation of the Quran during the month, providing an authentic and spiritually enriching experience for worshippers.
The presence of these knowledgeable scholars and the commitment to traditional practices makes observing Ramadan in the Philippines more fulfilling than many visitors might initially expect.
The Challenge of Maintaining Halal Standards
One of the hardest aspects of Ramadan in the Philippines is finding halal food. Some may argue that because the Philippines is predominantly Catholic, it's permissible to relax dietary restrictions, but this isn't accurate. The Philippines maintains separation of church and state, and many halal options do exist with some effort.
Striving to maintain halal standards during Ramadan—especially while alone in a non-Muslim majority country—is a significant test of faith. Inshallah, Muslims who make their best efforts here will be rewarded by Allah. We should remember that Allah is the Most Merciful, the coverer of sins, and forgives all transgressions. Any struggles we face should remain private matters between ourselves and Allah rather than being openly shared or normalized.
You can see a list of Halal options by going to www.musliminmanila.com and looking on our Halal food registry.
Halal Food Resources
Restaurant Options
Finding halal food during Ramadan can be challenging, but Metro Manila offers several reliable options. Here's my go-to list for takeout or dining in:
Chicken Bacolod — Market Market (perfect for a quick meal after prayers)
Feta Mediterranean Restaurant — BGC and San Juan locations (excellent Mediterranean options plus frozen halal meats to take home)
Homer Easy Middle Eastern — BGC and Makati branches (affordable Middle Eastern fare)
Hossein — BGC and Makati (more upscale Persian cuisine)
Nene Chicken - OneAyala (Korean-style fried chicken)
Persia Grill - BGC (Near Burgos Circle) (consistent quality Persian food)
Raging Bull Burgers (for those burger cravings)
You can see a full list of Halal options by going to www.musliminmanila.com and looking on our Halal food registry.
Halal Meat Suppliers for Home Cooking
For those who prefer to cook at home during Ramadan, I've found several excellent halal meat options:
Alzaky Foods - Offers delicious halal marinated chicken and other meat products. You can contact them via WhatsApp at +63 916 335 6400 to place orders.
Mr HALAAL MEAT TRADING (Hassan Aljazzar meat trading) - Provides a wide range of halal meat options. Reach out via WhatsApp at wa.me/halalmeathassanaljazzar for your meat needs.
Feta Mediterranean - Beyond their restaurant offerings, Feta Mediterranean sells excellent frozen halal meat options such as Chicken Adana and Lamb Kebabs that come prepackaged and perfectly portioned. These are great time-savers during Ramadan when energy levels may be lower during cooking preparation.
Facebook Marketplace: Hidden Gem for Halal Finds
One of my best discoveries was using Facebook Marketplace to find homemade halal meals, desserts, and specialty items from the Middle East. Local Muslim home cooks often sell authentic dishes that reminded me of home cooking. I've found excellent Ajwa dates (perfect for breaking fast), homemade baklava, and even ready-to-heat meals prepared by skilled home cooks from various Muslim communities in Manila. These home-based businesses often offer more authentic flavors and reasonable prices compared to restaurants.
For a complete directory of halal restaurants, prayer spaces, and more resources, visit my website Muslim in Manila (musliminmanila.com). The site includes detailed information about each restaurant, including operating hours, menu highlights, and directions.
Finding Places of Worship
Blue Mosque / Masjid Al-Ikhwah: My Fajr Sanctuary
The Blue Mosque (Masjid Al-Ikhwah) became my regular spot for Fajr prayers. Located in Taguig City, this beautiful mosque offers a peaceful environment for the pre-dawn prayer. The cool morning air and the serene atmosphere made it an ideal place to start my fasting day with spiritual focus. The congregation is diverse, welcoming, and the imam's recitation is particularly moving at this early hour.
You will probably be the only foreigners there, but rest assured the brothers are very friendly and welcoming. Of the two, I prefer Masjid Al-Ikhwah, but both are great options. Masjid Al-Ikhwah is a bit hard to find, they open maybe 10-minutes for Athan, you have to enter through a gate, make a right, and then go up the stairs. Both Masjids have an area for wudu.
Market Market Musalah: Convenient for Daily Prayers
For Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers, I found the Market Market Musalah to be extremely convenient. Located within the Market Market mall in Bonifacio Global City, this prayer space is accessible, clean, and accommodates busy professionals. Many Muslims working in BGC gather here throughout the day, creating a small but vibrant community.
Golden Mosque: Complete Quranic Recitation
Golden Mosque is also another good option for those say in Pasay or Manila. They pically have visiting Sheikhs from Saudi Arabia leading the prayers in addition to the eloquent Filipino imams, the experience is deeply spiritual and connects you with the global Muslim community. The recitation typically covers the entire Quran at least once during the month, providing a comprehensive spiritual journey through Ramadan. Golden Mosque is open for all five prayers through out the day and they some times (but not always offer iftar).
Indonesian Embassy
This is also a fantastic option for brothers and they offer probably the best iftar I have had in the Philippines. The embassy is open for all five prayers, but fajr is only available for Indonesian nationals. If you do come, make sure to bring a valid country/state ID!
Taraweeh Options
During Ramadan, I alternated between several venues for Taraweeh prayers:
Blue Mosque typically has a larger congregation and completes more rakats
Market Market Musalah offers a shorter Taraweeh, which can be beneficial on weeknights when you need to return home earlier
Golden Mosque for the complete Quranic recitation led by visiting Sheikhs from Saudi Arabia
Transportation Tips
Grab became my primary mode of transportation during Ramadan. The convenience of being able to book a ride from my phone, especially when feeling low on energy from fasting, was invaluable. I would recommend setting up your Grab account before Ramadan begins.
Angkas (motorcycle taxis) proved to be an excellent alternative, particularly during rush hours when traffic is congested. They're faster and more cost-effective than cars, though I'd suggest avoiding them during extreme heat or rain.
Managing Meals
Suhoor and Iftar Planning
I adopted several approaches for meals:
Meal Prepping: On weekends, I would prepare several meals in advance and store them for easy reheating. Simple dishes like chicken adobo, vegetable curry, and rice kept well in the refrigerator, especially when made with halal meat from my trusted suppliers. The pre-portioned frozen options from Feta Mediterranean were particularly useful for quick meal preparation during busy weekdays.
Food Delivery: Grab Food became my savior on many occasions. I'd order iftar meals about an hour before sunset to ensure timely delivery. Many restaurants offer Ramadan specials, and you can find halal options if you search specifically.
Facebook Marketplace Finds: Ordering homemade meals from Muslim home cooks on Facebook Marketplace provided variety and authentic flavors throughout the month.
Celebrating Eid al-Fitr in the Philippines
The culmination of Ramadan is, of course, Eid al-Fitr, and despite being far from home, there are several excellent options for celebrating this joyous occasion in Manila:
Eid Prayer Locations
Several venues host Eid prayers, with the main ones being:
Blue Mosque in Taguig City offers a beautiful setting for Eid prayers with its distinctive architecture and spacious grounds
Rizal Park holds large public Eid gatherings that bring together Muslims from across the city
Golden Mosque in Quiapo hosts one of the largest Eid congregations in the city
I've personally attended Eid prayers at both Rizal Park and Golden Mosque and found both to be wonderful experiences. Rizal Park offers an open-air celebration that feels festive and communal, while Golden Mosque provides a more traditional setting with the historical significance of being in Manila's Muslim quarter.
Post-Prayer Celebrations
Finding community activities for the remainder of Eid day has been more challenging. Unlike in Muslim-majority countries where entire neighborhoods celebrate together, the celebrations here tend to be more private. I haven't yet found established community events for the afternoon and evening of Eid, but inshallah (God willing), that will change this year. I'm actively looking to connect with other Muslims to share in the joy of this special day.
If you're celebrating Eid in Manila, I recommend reaching out to people you meet at the mosque during Ramadan to inquire about their Eid plans. Some families may open their homes to those celebrating alone.
Finding Community
The search for community during Ramadan requires creativity in the Philippines. Through persistent networking and asking around, I discovered that the Indonesian Embassy offers one of the best iftar gatherings in Manila. Their spread of Indonesian and international dishes is impressive, and the sense of community is welcoming. However, note that their facilities are primarily for Indonesian nationals during regular prayer times, especially Fajr.
Other embassies from Muslim-majority countries sometimes host iftar events as well, though these may require an invitation or prior registration.
Final Thoughts
Observing Ramadan alone in a predominantly Catholic country presented unique challenges, but also offered opportunities for deeper personal reflection and spiritual growth. The Filipino people are generally respectful of different religious practices, and many expressed curiosity and support during my fasting period.
For Muslims planning to spend Ramadan in the Philippines, I encourage you to:
Research prayer spaces in advance and save their locations in your phone
Connect with local Muslim communities through social media groups
Prepare for transportation challenges, especially around iftar time when traffic peaks
Stay hydrated during non-fasting hours, as the Philippines can be extremely hot and humid
Bookmark musliminmanila.com for up-to-date resources specific to Muslim life in Manila
While my Ramadan experience was solitary in many ways, the discipline and spiritual connection I developed made it one of the most meaningful observances of the holy month in my life.
Feel free to reach out to me with more questions at shirazdole@gmail.com!