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4 Influential Muslim Women on Keeping the Spirit of Ramadan Alive Amid the Pandemic

Congregational prayers at mosques have been temporarily suspended but the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque will livestream Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan

The Holy Month of Ramadan has always been about much more than just abstaining from eating and drinking. A time for spiritual reflection and bringing yourself closer to the religion of Islam, the month sees Muslims around the world separating themselves from negative thoughts and their increased dedication to prayers. Bonds between family and community are strengthened too as they come together for suhoor and iftar, congregational prayers at mosques, give back to those in need, and even exchange food between neighboring households. However, the Ramadan we all know and eagerly await is not the one we will be experiencing this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Also Read: Vogue.me Investigates: What Does Covid-19 Mean To Ramadan?

In the Middle East, worshippers have been urged to pray at their respective homes as mosques have closed their doors to curb the spread of the virus. Other precautionary measures have also seen restrictions on social gatherings and exchanging of food, while the lavish iftar and suhoor tents and majlises that have always lend their charm to the Holy Month will not be set up this time. The suspension of flights and overall restrictions on travel have also lead to many Muslims not being able to spend this month with their families back home. In spite of this, the celebratory spirit of Ramadan remains strong with the Muslims, albeit in an alternative way. Doing charity, being spiritual, and connecting with family are some of the core values of the Holy Month, and living by them is now more important than ever.

In keeping with this spirit, some of the most influential Muslims from the Middle East and around the world shared with Vogue.me how their Ramadan celebrations will differ this month.

HH Sheikha Intisar Salem Al Ali AlSabah
Founder of Intisar Foundation

HH Sheikha Intisar Salem Al Ali AlSabah

HH Sheikha Intisar Salem Al Ali AlSabah. Photo: Supplied

What is one tradition you and your family practice every Ramadan that you treasure?

We would get together and greet guests. The first three days of Ramadan, my father along with all other men from the AlSabah family would welcome and greet the people of Kuwait at the palace to wish them, Ramadan Kareem. When this is done, he would start greeting his guests with his sons and grandsons in the family home’s diwania (a saloon or guesthouse where men get together) while my mother would greet her female and sometimes male guests with us, her daughters and granddaughters. It would be three days of greeting hundreds of family-friends and Kuwaiti citizens who would come to congratulate my parents on the Holy Month. After the first few days, we would then go around greeting the elders in my family and other friends all through Ramadan.

It’s a time of celebration as well and getting to see as many people as we know in a month. Everyone makes an effort of visiting friends and family and getting to see people they might not have seen for a year. I loved those times and inshallah, next year, we will be so happy to be able to do these traditions again.

We get together as a family and break the fast and pray together. We also help my mother who forever since I remember cooks and sends food to neighbors and friends and also feeds hundreds of families who are needy with traditional Kuwaiti food. we cook and share and eat the same food.

How do you expect your Ramadan celebrations to differ this year due to the pandemic?

Sadly, we cannot get together anymore as we have a curfew all throughout Ramadan in Kuwait and also have been asked to practice social distancing. This is why we shall not connect in person, only virtually.

Do you think this period of self-reflection, remembering our blessings, and helping those less fortunate is especially important during this Ramadan?

Definitely, Ramadan is a time to connect with God and after we are done with that, to also connect with family and the people we love. There are increased prayers in Ramadan but also giving back as everyone takes part in small and big acts of kindness throughout this month.

Since community-level iftars and celebrating with those outside of your home are prohibited with the ongoing curfew, how do you plan to stay connected with your loved ones during this time?

Thank God for technology as I cannot see my family the way I do every year. Video calls keep me going until I can hug and kiss them.

Since mosques are places many Muslims turn to when in need, how does it affect you not being able to go to them during the pandemic? How are you planning to create an atmosphere for prayer and worship in your home?

Praying alone is not as strong as praying in congregation because of the weaker energy of singles as opposed to a group’s, however, since these are challenging times, we have to make the best of what we have. It is also a very good time to commit to being more in tune with our selves and finding a bigger and deeper connection with God.

What is one tip you have for those juggling working from home while fasting where temptation may be stronger?

I am lucky as my when my mind commits to something, it never waivers. I used to cook and feed my daughters but I never get tempted by food. I believe that this is because I know that this is something I want to do and is not imposed on me. Therefore, I  don’t hate it and instead enjoy it, and so I am at peace with it. It is also a blessing to have most people around us fasting too and this makes it much, much easier.

Ilhan Omar
US Congresswoman

Ilhan Omar Vogue Arabia

Ilhan Omar photographed by Stacy Zarin Goldberg for Vogue Arabia April 2019

What is one tradition you and your family practice every Ramadan that you treasure?

One tradition that my family and I practice every Ramadan is setting spiritual goals together. It’s important to use this time to reflect and reevaluate goals for the year.

How do you expect your Ramadan celebrations to differ this year due to the pandemic?

This year will obviously be different from years past, but the core message of remembering those less fortunate than us will be more important than ever. Our country is grappling with widespread unemployment, sickness, and displacement due to the coronavirus pandemic. Millions of people are hurting. Although our celebrations will look different, I know this time of spiritual rejuvenation will be more powerful than ever before.

Do you think this period of self-reflection, remembering our blessings, and helping those less fortunate is especially important during this Ramadan?

Ramadan is a time where we step outside of our own daily routine and remind ourselves of the struggles that those less fortunate in society face every day. By struggling, we don’t just better ourselves—but we have a better understanding of what we have and what others don’t. The first and greatest form of struggle in Islam is the struggle to improve yourself and to improve all of humanity. That is why charity is such an important part of Ramadan – because we are not just bettering ourselves, we are bettering those around us this month.

Since community-level iftars and celebrating with those outside of your home may be prohibited with the ongoing lockdown, how do you plan to stay connected with your loved ones during this time?

Luckily, technology has allowed us to stay connected during this time. I’ll be FaceTiming and calling loved ones throughout this month.

Since mosques are places many Muslims turn to when in need, how does it affect you not being able to go to them during the pandemic? How are you planning to create an atmosphere for prayer and worship in your home?

There are many innovative ways our community has come together to create a special atmosphere. In Minneapolis, adhan will echo from loudspeakers five times per day for the entirety of Ramadan. This is one of the many ways our community is taking the initiative to make sure we can create a holy atmosphere at home.

What is one tip you have for those juggling working from home while fasting where temptation may be stronger?

It’s now easier than ever to sleep in since many of us are working from home; my biggest tip is to always get up for suhoor no matter how tempted you are to hit the snooze button.

Mila Al Zahrani
Critically-acclaimed actor

Mila Al Zahrani

Mila Al Zahrani photographed by Djinane AlSuwayeh for Vogue Arabia

What is one tradition you and your family practice every Ramadan that you treasure?

The atmosphere in Ramadan is very similar across all Saudi families. We always visit our relatives, and this is the most common tradition that we miss right now.

How do you expect your Ramadan celebrations to differ this year due to the pandemic?

There is an enormous difference. We enjoy the Holy Month because of its atmosphere that we have been used to for years, such as family gatherings and visits. However, Ramadan 2020 will remain an unforgettable memory. It is different despite all these circumstances.

Do you think this period of self-reflection, remembering our blessings, and helping those less fortunate is especially important during this Ramadan?

Of course. We, as Muslims, are used to contributing everything we have to everyone in need at all times, not just in Ramadan, but charity doubles during this time and we are so proud of that. Praise be to Allah, we live by the grace of Allah, and the reward for his huge blessings is nothing but giving.

Since community-level iftars and celebrating with those outside of your home may be prohibited with the ongoing lockdown, how do you plan to stay connected with your loved ones during this time?

We are living in a difficult time, but what helps us endure it is the belief that our solidarity will keep everyone healthy. However, we are satisfied with social media platforms which bring us closer to distant people.

Since mosques are places many Muslims turn to when in need, how does it affect you not being able to go to them during the pandemic? How are you planning to create an atmosphere for prayer and worship in your home?

I can’t hide my longing for this atmosphere, but it will return soon, God willing if we adhere to all our country’s guidelines to eliminate this pandemic.

What is one tip you have for those juggling working from home while fasting where temptation may be stronger?

It is not something new. The accumulation of work during the Holy Month is what makes it more beautiful. My simple advice is that: We are always strong and we, as women, give Ramadan its special vibe, always remember this.

Noor Tagouri
Award-winning journalist

Noor Tagouri Vogue Arabia

Noor Tagouri photographed by Andrew Day for Vogue Arabia

“I will be celebrating this month at home—like we all should be doing—and I have been learning Arabic and learning how to make Arabic food which, honestly, I never in my entire life thought I would be capable of doing so I’m really proud of myself. If quarantine has taught me anything, it’s that I can do anything.

I’m celebrating this month with you all from Brooklyn, New York and I’m in a place now where I’m really excited to kind of throw myself into Ramadan in a way that I haven’t before because I’m usually traveling during this month. So, what this month means to me this year is a lot more self-reflection and leaning into the aspect of service and asking myself how can I be of service to you all during this time, how can I be of service to those around me during this time, how can I be of service to myself during this time because if you are not of service to yourself, you can’t be of service to anyone else so make sure you are filling your own cup, taking care of you. The way I’m doing that is by learning to cook. I’m learning to cook Arabic food, which I never thought I would be able to do ever. I’m learning Arabic—the real way this time, not the temper tantrum way when I was a kid—and I’m connecting with my family more than ever. So, Ramadan Kareem. I hope you guys are celebrating wherever you are.”

Read Next: Celebrate the Holy Month in Style with Our Ramadan Gift Guide

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