The ongoing conflict in Gaza is hitting a breaking point as those of Islamic faith fast and reflect to mark the holy month of Ramadan. It's a difficult time for Palestinian Muslim Americans to celebrate as war rages overseas.

“I grew up baking with my mom, who's a phenomenal baker. So, she taught me everything I know," said Layla Aburas Khafaga, a Palestinian American. "And that's why I want to share that with people out here. And I need to share it with my kids.”

Khafaga feels that as a first-generation American, she has the responsibility to pass her culture and traditions on to her family. She’s doing that through her bakery Meezan Kitchen.

“We're trying very much to, you know, give our kids that experience and have them know the culture and the language, and what it means to be Palestinian and Muslim,” said Khafaga.

Referring to the ongoing war in Gaza, Khafaga said the Muslim American community finds itself at a very strange point, somewhere between anger and helplessness.

“Lately, I've had no energy to do this, no drive to make fun sweets. When I know what's happening there, when they don't have food, when they don't have water, when all their basic needs and rights are stripped away from them. Millions of people forced, herded like sheep across the country, to just to survive. It makes me, it makes me want to give up. It makes me feel like I'm not doing enough,” said Khafaga.

With that feeling, Ramadan this year feels different for Khafaga. She said it’s somber, not the joyous occasion it usually is every year.

Ramadan, Khafaga says, is about patience and appreciation, and to be grateful for the life we have. But, it’s also a time to come together to do the right thing. Because, as she put it, justice seems like more of a privilege than a guaranteed right.

“A lot of our parents, you know, taught us in a way that just 'go with the grain, don't cause problems,' don't, you know, raise your voice. But we are comfortable here. We are American citizens. We have every bit of right to speak up and to fight the injustices for our communities,” said Khafaga.

And very openly, Khafaga is calling on elected officials and leaders to stop funding the ongoing war.

“Help stop the money going and supporting the killing of my family, my people, our communities over there,” said Khafaga.