Illuminating the mind, body, and soul, relationships remain at the core of it all for these game-changers celebrating Ramadan.
Sabrina Elba and Maryam Egal
Sabrina wears dress, Ferragamo; bangle, Saint Laurent; ring, Bil Arabi. Maryam wears abaya, Bambah. Photo: Oscar Munar
Relationships have long been a guiding force for Sabrina Elba. The Somali-Canadian model and actress is delighted to share the spotlight with her mother and “huge inspiration,” Maryam Egal. “Shooting this editorial beside my mom is like a dream come true. The first editorial I shot was Vogue and now, the first editorial she shot is Vogue. It does feel a bit full circle,” she smiles.
Hat, Evelyn McDermott. Photo: Oscar Munar
“My relationship with Sabrina is very unique, where we’re not just a mother and daughter, we’re also best friends,” adds Egal. “We have never done a photoshoot together before, so this opportunity was really special, especially to celebrate something as important to us as Ramadan.” Wedded young in an arranged marriage, leaving Somalia at 16, and settling in Canada at 18, Egal raised her family with her Islamic values, with Ramadan observed by mother and daughter no matter where their travels take them. “Every year we look forward to it,” says Egal. “Everybody in the family celebrates and fasts during this time. We pray a lot and do good things for our religion because it is so important to us.” Drawing from her faith, Egal knew it was important to encourage her daughter to find her inner strength to help both herself and others, especially during times of reflection like Ramadan. “The greatest lesson I’ve learned from my mother is to use my voice,” says Elba. “Growing up as a Black woman, you feel quite stunted all the time. I never felt encouraged in work, in school, in life, and it was my mom encouraging me and reminding me that it’s a privilege to be able to use your voice, having gone through a period where people were silenced, particularly women. She also ingrained the significance of giving back, and those two lessons are probably the most important ones I’ve taken with me.”
Maryam wears abaya, Valentino; shoes, Stella McCartney; scarf, Marmar Halim. Sabrina wears dress, Marmar Halim; shoes, Bottega Veneta; bracelet, Saint Laurent. Photo: Oscar Munar
Elba married English actor Idris Elba in 2019, and her Morocco wedding to the Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Luther actor was an opulent celebration in the luxury Ksar Char-Bagh riad. Following which, the former Miss Vancouver suddenly shot to a more mainstream prominence. With the added attention, she upped the ante on her philanthropic work in her drive to continue giving back. First introduced to the UN agency that Elba is now a Goodwill Ambassador for by her mother, she’s continued her charity out-reach alongside her husband, launching the Elba Hope Foundation earlier this year. An encompassing group, Elba says the foundation will enable the couple to help support independent grassroots initiatives more directly, with climate change and rural inequality her pet projects. “I think people often forget that in these climate discussions there are real people who are being ignored, who are being underrepresented. There’s rural people, for instance, who work on the land to help feed the world and are affected by climate change in a massively disproportionate way while they have contributed the least, and people in the Global South,” she says. “There’s an injustice there. We’re talking about land rights issues for women; we’re talking about social barriers that keep women from being as successful as they can, and these are all things that need to be approached respectfully and differently. It’s not a one-size-fits-all for every region, but there are huge barriers for rural people, particularly that people forget that women make up the majority of rural people in agriculture – so gender has always been a big one for me. It’s supporting people whose voices won’t be heard how they should be.”
Dress, Tory Burch. Photo: Oscar Munar
Her skincare brand S’Able Labs, co-founded with Idris, is also based on relationships and how they, or their absence, can influence wellness. “One of the things we also learned on the journey, speaking to others, was that the most important relationship you have and one of the key parts of how you treat people around you have to do with the relationship you have with yourself,” she explains. “If you can treat yourself well, and that relationship is maintained in a healthy way, you do good and you treat the others around you well, in turn strengthening all relationships in your life.” With the concept of “selfless” self-care at its forefront, S’Able offers tightly-curated, five-product collections with ‘A-beauty’ formulations, highlighting African ingredients – some sourced by her mother. “We’re [Sabrina and Idris] both first-generation Africans and really want to showcase ingredients that have been ancestral traditions. My mother used to mix turmeric and qasil for as long as I can remember in a DIY face mask. Now, I get to make a qasil mask that incorporates those same ingredients combined with beautiful actives like AHAs and BHAs to really enhance them. It’s a huge part of our brand to re-own the narrative around African ingredients that have felt somewhat appropriated.”
Leather jacket, dress, bracelet, Saint Laurent. Photo: Oscar Munar
Nouran Gohar and Ziad Elsissy
Nouran wears jacket, Ingorokva at Albright Fashion Library; sweater, Nouran’s own. Ziad wears All clothing, Ziad’s own. Photo: Marsha Lebedev
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From the sporting clubs of Cairo and Alexandria to the largest tournaments in the world, squash world number one Nouran Gohar and fencing champion Ziad Elsissy dedicate their lives to sporting excellence. “I come from a table tennis family,” says Cairo-born Gohar. “But I got into squash because of my dad. I loved being on the court with him,” she reminisces. Gohar won her first title in the Prague Open in 2013 at the tender age of 16, swiftly followed by a second at the Irish Open, before swooping into the world’s top 20 ranking at the Monte Carlo Classic. Since then, the 25-year-old squash phenomenon has snagged title after title, culminating in the world number one ranking in July 2020.
All eyes were on her, including those of Elsissy, a sporting sensation in his own right, with a World Cup bronze medal under his belt, as well as a gold medal for the individual saber event at the 2022 Mediterranean Games. After being offered a scholarship to attend Wayne State University in Michigan, Elsissy ended his collegiate career having achieved the most wins in the program’s history. “I was in the US, and Nouran was in Egypt, but we had a lot of mutual friends, and we knew of each other on the sporting circuit,” says the 28-year-old Alexandrian speaking from the couple’s Connecticut home. The pair began talking during the pandemic and soon after, Elsissy was on a plane back to Egypt to take their relationship to the next level. The couple were married in November 2021.
The passion, dedication, patience, and perseverance that both have acquired from their respective sports have permeated throughout their personal lives and shaped their relationship. “We both play individual sports, which means we’ve only had to focus on ourselves. You learn to be selfish in order to succeed,” says Gohar. “I didn’t think I’d ever worry about another person until I met Ziad.” The marriage has been a learning curve for Elsissy too, developing his own techniques for communication after years of living solo. “I’m so thankful that Nouran and I have a similar mindset,” he says. “We prioritize the same things in our daily lives: going to practice, eating healthy. I wouldn’t be able to live with someone that doesn’t enjoy a fast-paced life, and thankfully, Nouran is the same. The problem was that when we first started living together, I’d just jump up and say, “We need to go out now.” I’ve learned that I need to give her a heads-up beforehand,” he laughs.
Despite their multiple wins, they stress that competitiveness has no place within the marriage. When speaking of his wife, Elsissy’s voice exudes genuine admiration. “She’s so determined, I’ve never met anyone like her. She’ll go for a run at 8am, eat breakfast, go out again for a solo practice, and then train with her coach. One of her training days is like four of mine! She motivates me to push myself and when I see her win, I feel so proud, even more than when I win myself.”
Nouran wears coat, Ingorokva at Albright Fashion Library; dress, Tibi; shoes, Saint Laurent; jewelry, Nouran’s own. Ziad wears coat, shirt, tr ousers, Officine Generale; turtleneck, shoes, Ziad’s own. Photo: Marsha Lebedev Bernstein
Gohar is quick to reciprocate the sentiment. “But I learned so much from you,” she beams. As a self-proclaimed stickler for the rules and conservative player, both on and off the court, Gohar was inspired to take on a new perspective thanks to Elsissy’s risk-taking and go-getter attitude. “Fencing taught me to think outside the box and to make fast decisions. My bouts only last for three minutes so I could lose points if I don’t focus. I need to be able to perform under pressure,” he explains. “It’s funny because outwardly we’re very different,” says Gohar. “He’s outgoing and talkative. I have my inner circle, and I’m only friendly when I get to know someone.” Elsissy agrees, “At first, she’ll always be very … formal.” Gohar laughs, “You want to say rude! On the inside, we’re very similar, we like the same things, and we have similar comfort zones.”
Excelling in sports from an early age set the bar high for life in general. Both Gohar and Elsissy shone academically and obtained engineering degrees, graduating with high honors. “If you get a taste for winning, being average just doesn’t cut it anymore,” says Elsissy. For Gohar, the world number one spot meant realizing a lifelong dream. “When I was nine, I wrote, ‘One day I’ll reach world number one,’ on a piece of paper and stuck it on my bedroom wall. I’m blessed to have seen that dream come true.” Elsissy struggles to pinpoint his single greatest achievement but humbly settles on taking his place as a bronze medalist at the 2022 World Cup in Algeria along with earning the gold medal at the Mediterranean Games that same year. “Getting a bronze medal was a huge moment for me, it was a first for Egypt in this sport, so it meant a lot. I’m hoping for gold in the next Olympic Games.”
Despite being based in the US for the foreseeable future, the couple’s shared beliefs and Egyptian values come into sharp focus where family and spirituality are concerned, especially during Ramadan. “It’s the hardest month of the year for training, but we love it,” says Elsissy. Gohar confirms that the grueling schedule takes its toll during the Holy Month. “I train for three to four hours a day while fasting so it’s intense.” They both take on a wistful tone at the prospect of spending the month away from home. “Ramadan in Egypt is so much fun. The family gatherings, praying at the mosque, the desserts,” chuckles Elsissy, a talented kanafa maker, according to Gohar. “For us Egypt is life,” says Elsissy. “We’re very proud of our culture, traditions, and faith,” confirms Gohar. “We’d want to pass everything down to our future children. Wherever we decide to live, we want to raise them to be like us, goal-oriented, proud Egyptians.”
Mayada and Alanoud Badr
Alanoud wears blouse, Matériel; pants, Keepsake; jewelry, Alanoud’s own. Mayada wears blouse, Baqa; ring, Mayada’s own. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
The table is laid, the door is kept open, and taste buds are ready to be reunited with the season’s signature culinary delights. No one has been particularly invited, yet everyone is coming. It is that time of the year once again. Every family has its own set of traditions, but for the Badr sisters, the spirit of Ramadan is best embodied in the simple joy and beauty of family gatherings. Mayada and Alanoud Badr (aka Fozaza) juggle busy schedules all year round. With Mayada’s role as CEO of the Saudi Culinary Arts commission and Alanoud’s commitments as a fashion entrepreneur as well as a content creator with more than 1.2 million followers on Instagram, the Saudi sisters grew to fulfill their childhood dreams. Yet Ramadan still remains their opportunity to disconnect from their packed dayto- day routine and immerse themselves in their family’s lifelong traditions. “To me Ramadan is all about ‘Al Jamaa,’ the gathering of the family. It is the time when we stop and reevaluate our personal lives, when you are more connected to your family, to your grandparents, to your cousins, to your uncles; those whom you might not normally see on an average day. But, during Ramadan, you make that extra effort to see them every day. We all come together over iftar,” shares Mayada with a warm smile. Unlike any other meal, iftars are not only about ending the fast, they are also an opportunity to bond, reflect, and share. After 14 to 15 hours of fasting, the Badr sisters’ dining table – like many others across the country – is often filled with traditional Saudi food.
Laid to accommodate up to 60 family members, the table is never complete without true Ramadan staples. “I do not see shorbet hab (wheat soup) and sambusa (meat-stuffed savory pastry) unless it is Ramadan,” Mayada says. “It is tradition to start preparing and rolling sambusa a week or two before Ramadan to make sure that we have enough. On the other hand, maamoul with dates is a Saudi tradition for Ramadan. It goes way back in history, and it is a lot of fun to make. We grew up making it at home and we now make it with the kids.”
Alanoud wears tunic, Matériel; jewelry, Alanoud’s own. Mayada wears dress, Roua Almawallay; ring, Mayada’s own. Photo: Sebastian Böttcher
With that in mind, the table is never too short to accommodate a Lebanese plate such as shish barak, dumplings filled with seasoned lamb, onions, and pine nuts, or horaa osbao stew courtesy of the sisters’ mother and her Lebanese/American roots. A spot is also always reserved for a healthy zucchini recipe prepared by Alanoud. In parallel, Mayada brings to the table her aunt’s signature warag enab stuffed grape leaves. “For Ramadan I miss my aunt’s warag enab, rolled with lamb chops, cooked according to the traditional Saudi way. It always reminds me of her, and I always try to make it a point to roll it with the kids, one or two-times during Ramadan.” Last but far from least, comes jarish. “It is almost like risotto. It is kind of overcooked rice in a sense as you cook it for longer with milk and chicken. It is very creamy,” explains Alanoud. Mayada adds, “What is funny is that in my family it is tradition for my father to cook it for us as a treat. When I got married, I found that my husband’s father does the same thing. They are both the same age and I think that this generation learned how to prepare this dish when they studied abroad in the USA, and it reminds them of home.”
After the mouth-watering meal, the activities always unfold. Naturally, furniture is moved and shuffled to accommodate the customary card games and chitchats. “A lot of my friends and family would change their furniture for Ramadan. I like walking into houses during Ramadan and finding them completely different, with lights and arabesque decorations. We even move some couches around to create an authentic Saudi Jalsa furniture setup to make sure everyone is seated on the floor; it is more comfortable to play cards that way,” says Mayada.
From the innocent games shared by the kids to the heated conversations engaging the young cousins, and the family’s competitive rounds of Baloot (trick-taking card game), the sisters’ Ramadan nights have always been and continue to be soul-stirring and eventful. With that said, the Badr family’s definition of a gathering is not always exclusive to family members. “When foreigners come and visit Saudi in Ramadan, they are often overwhelmed with the hospitality and how welcoming the people are. We always have enough seats for everyone, we are always expecting people,” says Mayada with pride. “As Saudis we are known to be extremely generous. We just cannot wait to open our houses to everyone, and we want to share our food, we want to share everything,” concludes Alanoud.
Originally published in the April 2023 issue of Vogue Arabia
Style: Natalie Westernoff, Taylor Kim, Katerina Nikolaeva
Hair: Natalie Andrew, Allyson Wisel Vogt, R.Kavya
Makeup: Jessica DeBruyne, Allyson Wisel Vogt, Nabila Merchant
Location: Nikki Beach Celebration Suite, Mark Hotel NYC, SLS Dubai
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