Ramadan 2009
Assalaam Alaykum :)
The Big Picture always has these amazing photographs centered around a theme. So this year I thought instead of writing a Ramadan Diary for our traditional Ramadan diaries at The Madina , I would take some pictures to give you an idea of what Ramadan is like here in upstate New York. They're definitely not as beautiful unfortunately, I'm not sure how professional photographers do it! Some of the best pictures I take end up blurry (especially the one's with kids) and I just seem to always miss that perfect shot of the sunset between the trees...and get trees :( It's definitely hard to do Ramadan as well as try to be a photographer. I can't take pictures of praying people while praying of course! And most Muslims hate having their pictures taken, so this is the best I could do... 30 pictures for 30 days... enjoy ;) (30 photos total)
The Big Picture always has these amazing photographs centered around a theme. So this year I thought instead of writing a Ramadan Diary for our traditional Ramadan diaries at The Madina , I would take some pictures to give you an idea of what Ramadan is like here in upstate New York. They're definitely not as beautiful unfortunately, I'm not sure how professional photographers do it! Some of the best pictures I take end up blurry (especially the one's with kids) and I just seem to always miss that perfect shot of the sunset between the trees...and get trees :( It's definitely hard to do Ramadan as well as try to be a photographer. I can't take pictures of praying people while praying of course! And most Muslims hate having their pictures taken, so this is the best I could do... 30 pictures for 30 days... enjoy ;) (30 photos total)
Ramadan in the US started on Saturday, August 22nd this year. Alhamdulillah much moonfighting was avoided when the world vs. local vs. Saudi moon all somehow collided and agreed on the same date! This is a picture of some of the cute things I found at ISNA to give out to the kids. (The company is called Silver Envelope.) The kids loved picking out their favorite colors. The balloons I learned to give out AFTER Taraweeh ;)
Here's my Ramadan workstation complete with Ramadan wallpaper, books to read, Quran, Henna for your nails, alarm clock to wake up for Suhoor and datebook to schedule your Iftar parties! (You can d/l your own wallpaper, info & articles from our Ramadan page too!) #
In the US most Muslim families do not have their extended families with them. Our community and friends become our family and we end up driving to community Iftars and Iftar parties at ppl's houses, Mosques or even held at rented-out churches! The longer day this year actually turned out to be a blessing leaving us more time to get home, take a nap, do some extra Ibadah and then go out to Iftars and Taraweeh, sometimes ending around midnight! #
Preparing some fruit salad for a local Mosque. Some Mosques in urban areas have free Iftars everyday. Families sponsor these and send food to the Mosque or have them catered locally. (Read my blog on the American inner-city Mosque experience! ) #
This is a picture of the first Mosque built here in this area (circa 1975). There is a small divider between the men and women and a bigger Morrocan wooden screen behind this for women who wear Niqab or perhaps want more privacy. When I was doing a survey, most of the women said they loved this type of setup because it allowed them to see and be 'part of the prayer' and they also had a choice of going behind the other screen if they wanted.
Unfortunately most Mosques in the US have sub-par (if that!) accommodations for women :( #
Unfortunately most Mosques in the US have sub-par (if that!) accommodations for women :( #
Entranceway to the Mosque. One side is for the sisters and one for the brothers. There are wooden donation boxes with different compartments for Sadaqah, Zakat, Zakat al-Fitr and community projects. Note the racks of cubbyholes for shoes.
Remember our hilarious discussion on how to keep your shoes from being stolen ;) #
Remember our hilarious discussion on how to keep your shoes from being stolen ;) #
Muslims in the US are from every country in the world, including America itself, showing the true beauty of Islam's diversity.
Sisterhood and brotherhood is a big part of Ramadan. The sisters often get together for girl's Iftar parties, going out to restaurants, shopping for Eid and various other Halal entertainments :) #
Sisterhood and brotherhood is a big part of Ramadan. The sisters often get together for girl's Iftar parties, going out to restaurants, shopping for Eid and various other Halal entertainments :) #
I brought some girls to the mall for Eid shopping. Now I have new rules. Like tops have to reach the tips of your fingers when down rule and the skinny jeans are Haram rule! Here is an example of what not to buy :) (Except for maybe a sister's party!)
Sumayya asked me why they don't make clothes for normal sized people. I had no answer :p #
Sumayya asked me why they don't make clothes for normal sized people. I had no answer :p #
This is where we have Jumah prayer, in the basement of a local university armory building. The current Mosque is really just a small converted house so this is the only place that can hold the amount of people for Jumah. The amazing thing is that every Mosque in our area is totally packed during Jumah and especially in Ramadan mashaAllah. (This is about 15 minutes early!) #
This is the women's section in our inner city Mosque. It's always packed with women and kids and always 1000 degrees! There is a screen that shows the men's section and they installed one-way glass windows, but the women still put up curtains over them?! We had a fundraiser this night and made about $80,000 to inshaAllah expand the Mosque. I'm still trying to convince them to make sure to expand the sister's section!! #
We played an Islamic trivia game and if you knew the answer you would get a prize. Then we played the "balloon game" where you had to pass it around and not drop it. Love the expression on everyone's face here! Then running out of ideas and getting desperate we turned off half the lights and I gathered all the kids around me and told them 'scary stories'. They absolutely loved it and I think it is one of my best memories of this Ramadan. #
I have so many more pictures and so many memories that I couldn't take pictures of, but I hope these give you a glimpse of what Ramadan is like here. Ramadan is such a beautiful time of reflection, learning, recitation, prayer, charity, the Quran, Mosque, community and family.
May Allah accept this Ramadan from us and from you. Ameen.
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May Allah accept this Ramadan from us and from you. Ameen.
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The End.