SPRING 2021 ISSUE NO 201
RAMADAN
CELEBRATING RAMADAN DURING A PANDEMIC
HAAJRAH GILANI
For Mustafa Gilani, Ramadan is a time meant for selfreflection. "Instead of worrying about my mistakes or the things I could do better, I'm actually able to take the time to work on myself and become a better person," said Gilani, a freshman at Collegium Charter High School.
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Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year for Muslims, the time believed to be when the Quran was revealed. It’s during this month that Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset to remind themselves of their relationship with God and their duty to help people who are food insecure, Vox reported.
Above SIslamic Society of Chester County remains empty due to COVID-19 restrictions in West Chester on Sunday, April 18, 2021. The mosque was previously a church until 1985.
"I'm actually able to take the time to work on myself and become a better person." Below Picket sign stands outside Islamic Society of Chester County in West Chester on Sunday, April 18, 2021. The quick response code links scanners to ways to donate to Islamic Circle of North America.
Above Mustafa Gilani prays Asr, the third prayer of the day, in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
While this holy month is meant to be a time of spiritual discipline, extra prayer, increased charity and generosity and intense study of the Quran, it’s also a time for celebration and cherishing loved ones, Vox reported. People often say it's unreasonable to go the entire day without eating food or drinking water, said Gilani. "I'm not saying . fasting isn't hard or that it
"If someone is struggling with fasting, they don't have to do it,"
doesn't require, you know, discipline, but Below that doesn't mean Ramadan is unreasonable. Mustafa Gilani prays Asr, the third prayer of the If someone is struggling with fasting, they day, in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021. don't have to do it," he added Above SpMustafa Gilani uses prayer beads known as Misbaha in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021. Muslims use Misbaha to keep count during prayer.
Above Mosque-shaped light hangs on a staircase in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
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Below Eid lights hang on a staircase in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
Below Sun sets in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021. Following sundown, people must break their fast and complete Maghrib, the fourth prayer of the day.
Among those who are unable to fast during Ramadan due to health concerns is Raza Gilani, whose diabetes prevents him from fasting. "I grew up fasting in Pakistan where stores would shut down and people would show patience to one. You see, everyone there knew it was a time for taking it easy. When I came to America, I thought fasting was harder because there are less accommodations. I didn't realize it was because of my own health," said Raza. Though he misses fasting, it isn't the only way to establish a stronger relationship with God during Ramadan, he said. "I don't fast anymore, but I still pray, read Quran and take it upon myself to understand Islamic history. Diabetes affects my body, not my religion," Raza added.
Above Sun sets in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021. Following sundown, people must break their fast and complete Maghrib, the fourth prayer of the day.
"When I came to America, I thought fasting was harder because there are less accommodations."
Above Pakoras cook on the stove in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021. Pakoras are a South Asian street food consisting of vegetable-based ingredients.
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Below Pizza comes out of the oven in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
Top left Shazia Hashmi pulls pizza out of the oven in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
Top right Food sits on the dinner table during Iftar in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
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Bottom Mustafa Gilani eats a slice of pizza after breaking his fast in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021.
Ramadan is about empathy and charity for Shazia Hashmi, a manager at Home Instead Senior Care. "Islam insists upon sharing your wealth throughout the year, but Ramadan is an especially important time for this," said Hashmi, "Especially when it comes to something like food, that's something that's meant to be shared."
Above Painting hangs on the wall of the living room in Downingtown on Thursday, April 22, 2021. In Arabic, the painting reads, "Bismillah al-rahman al-rahim," or "In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful," in English. Below Mustafa Gilani wears his "Allah," necklace and his Aytal Kursi necklace. The Aytal Kursi is a verse from the Qu'ran often recited for protection. In the spirit of sharing, opening fasts alongside community members is highly encouraged. However, this is the second year it hasn't been possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. "We all really come together as a community during Ramadan, so I can only hope that we resume back to celebrating and growing together next Ramadan," Hashmi added.
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