Muslim Americans Reflect On Another Ramadan During The Pandemic

Safiyah Zaidi, 21, has always enjoyed celebrating Ramadan. Growing up in a Muslim household, she considers the month, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, to be the best time of the year.

"You see all the friends that you normally don't see throughout the rest of the year, and there's food, there are lectures ... and just a real sense of community," Zaidi says.

Zaidi says it feels surreal to be spending another Ramadan at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but she wants to make the most of it.

"One thing that's important that we did this year, not last year, is we did a lot of decoration," Zaidi says. "I think that that's very important to have a physical reminder that you're now in the month."

On Tuesday, April 13, Muslim communities across the U.S. started fasting in their second Ramadan during the pandemic. Last year, Ramadan was early on in the pandemic starting on April 24. So many events, including mosque prayers and iftars, the evening meals that break the fasting of each day, got canceled or switched to virtual. Although mosques and community organizations are continuing to create virtual events this year, some Islamic centers are holding in-person prayers. Muslim Americans are also reflecting on how the pandemic altered their fasting experiences.