Reopening for Ramadan

Hassan Abbas — Tue, 04 May 2021 19:38:05 +0000

The Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, a place of worship for Shia Muslims, opens for Ramadan service once again.

Just a six minute walk from Jamaica’s Van Wyck stop off the E train in Queens, sits one of the largest Shia Muslim centers in New York City.

Last year the Imam Al-Khoei Foundation had to be closed down due to COVID-19. The community was not able to congregate during the holy month of Ramadan.

But the center has reopened with limited capacity so devotees can attend sermons, pray as a congregation and break their fasts together, all while following pandemic precautions.

People entering the building before the start of congregational prayers. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, New York City. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 30, 2021

Allama Abid Bilgrami, a Shia religious scholar narrates the tragedy of Karbala, a very significant event for Shia Muslims. Their third Imam and grandson of Prophet Muhammad was killed in battle along with many members of his family. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, New York City. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 14, 2021

Ali Raza and his grandson, Ali Hassan Naqvi pick up a block of clay “Turbah”. During prayers Shia Muslims prostrate upon earth (clay) or anything that grows on earth such as grass or wood (except for minerals). Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, New York City. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 14, 2021

Blocks of wood and a clay disc called a “Turbah” were set up by a child who is sitting nearby. During prayers Shia Muslims prostrate upon earth (clay) or anything that grows on earth such as grass or wood (except for minerals). Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, Jamaica, Queens, NY. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 14, 2021

Waqar Ali cries while he listens to the tragic events of Karbala. The atmosphere of the entire congregation becomes somber. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 15, 2021

Azazhar Hasnain performs the obligatory Ablution “Wudu” (washing of the arms and the face) before performing a prayer. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, Jamaica, Queens, NY. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 15, 2021

Sheikh Fadhel Al-Sahlani leads the prayer before breaking fast. Following precautions to prevent COVID-19 the congregation is praying with gaps between each person; under normal circumstances it is obligatory for people in the rows to stand almost shoulder to shoulder. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, Jamaica, Queens, NY. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 18, 2021

Shabbir Husain Musliwala prostrates on “Turbah” while he performs Salah. During prayers Shia Muslims prostrate upon earth (clay) or anything that grows on earth such as grass or wood (except for minerals). To prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 people wear masks inside the prayer hall. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, Jamaica, Queens, NY. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 14, 2021

Congregational prayers are performed in limited capacity following COVID-19 preventive measures. The marks on the carpet guide people where to stand during the prayer. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, Jamaica, Queens, NY. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 15, 2021

A man reads a chapter of the Quran before the start of congregational prayer. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, Jamaica, Queens, NY. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 14, 2021

Abdel Krem (seated), and Aslam Ajani put rice and gravy into takeout containers. After prayers are completed, volunteers will distribute a meal of salad, rice with gravy, soup, and dates to the congregation so they can break their fasts. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, Jamaica, Queens, NY. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 14, 2021

A man breaks his fast. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, Jamaica, Queens, NY. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 14, 2021

After the end of congregational prayers, people leave the main prayer hall for the basement where they will receive a meal to break their day-long fasts. Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, Jamaica, Queens, NY. Photo by Hassan Abbas. April 18, 2021

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Miss you, mom: Spending Ramadan together through a screen

Maznah Shehzad — Sun, 03 May 2020 21:32:11 +0000

Muslims around the world are currently observing the month of Ramadan where they fast for 29 to 30 days, depending on lunar sightings.

I have always been at home during this month and my mom and I were always together during Sehri and Iftar time. About 3 years ago, I finally told my parents I was agnostic and didn’t believe in Islam. During that same period, my dad announced he didn’t believe in God and that left my mom being the only practicing Muslim in our house. When Ramadan came she would have to do everything alone and in order for my mom to feel supported, I used to wake up with her at Sehri time and also was with her during Iftar. We talked, ate and just enjoyed this bonding time together.

This is the first Ramadan we are spending apart, I am in New York City and she is in Karachi, Pakistan, and it is an emotional moment for the both of us. Given the time we live in, I can still be a part of my mom’s fasting routine by joining her for Sehri and Iftar through the screen. The time difference between Karachi and NYC is 9 hours. Sehri time in Pakistan starts around 4am which is 7 p.m. in NYC and Iftar time is at 7pm there and that’s 10 a.m. here. I have tried to document her observing Ramadan while I support her and eat my normal food with her through Zoom video call.

Her usual Sehri is really healthy. So she starts her day with copious amounts of coffee, she alternates between cereal or peanut butter sandwiches. This is a shift from usual Sehri foods being parathas and eggs. She likes having a light healthy Sehri to keep her active throughout the day.

For Iftar, she usually loves fruits and dahi baray but also sometimes makes samosas and pakoray, which are really common during Iftar back home.

I, on the other hand, am between places and all of my cookware is packed. So, most of my meals are takeaways and deliveries or just snacks.

A few days ago she told me “I was feeling sad when I thought about Ramadan but my fasts have been so easy and pleasant because of you”. Hearing her say that made my day.

April 24, 2020 – First Sehri of the month. Mom: Cereal and peanut butter sandwich, Me: Rice Krispies Treats and a Nutella sandwich. Photo by Maznah Shehzad

April 25, 2020 – First Iftar of the month. Mom: Samosas, Me: Cream Cheese Bagel. Photo by Maznah Shehzad

April 25, 2020 – Second Sehri of the month. Mom: offers Tarawih. Me: channa masala and rice with Pepsi. Photo by Maznah Shehzad

April 25, 2020 – Second Sehri of the month. Mom: Coffee in her favourite Starbucks mug, Me: channa masala and rice with pepsi. Photo by Maznah Shehzad

April 26, 2020 – Second Iftar of the month. Mom: Dates, fruits and pakoray. Me: Bagel with egg and cheese. Photo by Maznah Shehzad

April 26, 2020 – Second Iftar of the month. Mom: Pours Sprite. Me: Bagel with egg and cheese. Photo by Maznah Shehzad

April 26, 2020 – Third Sehri of the month. Mom: Cereal, coffee and butter. Me: chicken tikka and rice. Photo by Maznah Shehzad

April 27, 2020 – Fourth Sehri of the month. Mom: offers Tarawih. Me: Mcdonald’s egg Mcmuffin. Photo by Maznah Shehzad

April 27, 2020 – Fourth Sehri of the month. Mom: Coffee. Me: Mcdonald’s egg Mcmuffin. Photo by Maznah Shehzad

April 28, 2020 – Fourth Iftar of the month. Mom: Dates, fruits, dahi baray and cat food for my cat. Me: Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked. Photo by Maznah Shehzad

This is a project of Lori Grinker’s NYU graduate photojournalism class.

The post Miss you, mom: Spending Ramadan together through a screen appeared first on Pavement Pieces.

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Reopening for Ramadan

Miss you, mom: Spending Ramadan together through a screen