Photo Essay | Ramadan reflections

All Photos by Simrah Ahmad, Staff Photographer

Ramadan is the holy month of Islam in which Muslims fast from dusk until dawn. Yes, not even water. I’ve always observed Ramadan, but as I’ve gotten older and closer to my religion, it’s been a different, more insightful and enjoyable experience for me. A lot of things contribute to my experience being an extremely positive one — my family, friends, traditions and community to name a few. Here’s how Ramadan went for me this year through some photos.

Iftar is the meal at sunset in which Muslims break their fast. It’s common for people to throw “iftar parties,” though not really a party and more like a dinner. Hosts will invite their friends to their house and prepare a variety of iftar items, dinner dishes and desserts. These photos are from an iftar I hosted and another one that my friend hosted. I’m a huge foodie, so these are always a lot of fun. Aside from the enjoyment I get from eating with my loved ones, I also love the idea of hosting. Especially when it comes to my friends who live away from their family for college, I want to make them feel at home and feed them properly. I couldn’t imagine spending Ramadan without my family like some of them do, so I like to spend time with them. Being with friends during Ramdan is also motivating and insightful as we’ll often have casual conversations about things related to our religion.

Prayer is an important part of Islam, and it is amplified during Ramadan. Many people go to the Ramadan-specific prayer, Taraweeh, every night and especially the last 10 nights, to pray in congregation with the imam, who leads the prayer. I took these photos at the Rahma Center in Lake Forest. This mosque has gotten very popular for many reasons. One main reason is the addition of a cafe, Sabr, and restaurant, BK Grill, allowing people to eat or drink before or after prayers with their family and friends. The new musalla (prayer space) was also a huge factor that drew more people in. The aesthetics of it and the large space is very appealing. The parking situation is also great, with a giant lot outside. The imams at this mosque are also great speakers that people like. The Rahma Center team has done a great job of creating an Islamic space to feel more community like, and I can tell that many Muslims appreciate this. Those are some reasons why I was there a lot as well. I’d go with my family and friends, and it was a peaceful, enjoyable time.

Late night cafe visits are a must during Ramadan. They extend their hours late into the night, as late as 4 a.m., because they know that people will come after Taraweeh or eat more before sehri/suhoor (the meal Muslims eat before sunrise to prepare for their fast). These cafes are usually Middle Eastern, Arab or South Asian. It’s been a running joke online that people will leave prayer to go to Yemeni coffee shops, and that people with typically strict parents will let them stay out to go to them. As a food and drink enthusiast, I made sure to try new spots and revisit my favorites. On the right is Qamaria, with their caramel milk cake, dubai chocolate cheesecake and chai. The dessert from here is by far my favorite. Just looking back at it makes me want to pay it another visit. Surprisingly, I only went once this month,, but I will definitely be going again. The photo on the left is from Sana’a Cafe, featuring their chai and honeycomb bread. The chai here was a Ramadan favorite of mine, and the honeycomb was delicious. I ended up going at least four  times during Ramadan,. The vibe of being out with my friends and hanging out at these places with others who are in the same boat as us was great. It’s such a comforting and fun feeling. This motivated me to start a food account during Ramadan to document everything I try, and I’ve been excited to continue posting past then.

Schools often have iftar programs for students on campus to provide for those who are away from their families and amplify the Muslim community at school. These photos are from when the Chapman Muslim Student Association and University of California, Irvine (UCI) Muslim Student Union collaborated for an iftar on the UCI campus. Students are provided with food and are able to eat and pray together. Going to these events can help students feel more comfortable and at home during this time.

Chaand Raat is a celebration of the final day of Ramadan and the beginning of Eid-Al-Fitr, with an observation of the moon, since Islam is based on the lunar calendar. My friend, Raniyah, and her family threw a huge party for Chaand Raat, so I took some pictures there. We all get dressed up in our cultural clothing, eat a lot of food to break our fast, and get our mehndi (henna) done.

Eid is the celebration to end the month of Ramadan and to reward ourselves for our efforts. The day starts with an Eid-specific prayer in congregation. This day is usually a huge family day for me. We started out with homemade South Asian-style brunch — also known as desi — at my grandparent’s house with my mom’s side of the family. Later, we saw my dad’s side of the family as well. Muslims are encouraged to wear their best outfits and many of us have mehndi done for this. Getting “eidi” is another tradition. This is when all the adults of the family give the kids money or gifts. 

Last year, I had one or two iftar parties to go to every week with friends, and plans in between. This year, though seemingly less eventful, felt more meaningful in some ways. I spent more time at the mosque, grew closer to my faith, and found myself reflecting more deeply on the spiritual side of Ramadan. This month isn’t so much about how packed your calendar is, but more so about the moments that bring you peace, connection, and purpose. Each year, Ramadan serves as a reset and reminder to be the best version of ourselves. Being a good Muslim goes hand in hand with being a good person, through kindness, generosity, patience and compassion. I feel extremely blessed to have such a great community, family and group of friends around me who make this month even more special. I hope to carry the spirit of Ramadan with me long after the month ends.