Holy days

The Masud family (from left: Sarmad Siddiqui, Samara Faisal, Madiha Faisal, Annum Faisal and Tehmina Masud) break their fast together while virtually connecting with extended family via Zoom. 

 

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan (April 23-May 23 this year) was observed differently due to the coronavirus. Typically, for many, Ramadan includes gathering at the mosque to pray together. Locally, the Islamic Society of Greater Houston adapted by offering daily virtual Quran recitations as well as talks by spiritual leaders throughout the day. The call to prayer, typically done communally, was also broadcast. For Memorial resident Tehmina Masud, a mother of three daughters, having a dedicated space to pray, even while mosques in Houston remain closed, was important. So she converted her home office into a prayer room, rearranging the furniture and putting prayer rugs on the carpet. She missed praying in the mosque but enjoyed observing Ramadan with her family – her two older daughters live outside of Houston but came home due to the coronavirus. Pictured are (from left) Sarmad Siddiqui, Samara Faisal, Madiha Faisal, Annum Faisal and Tehmina Masud, breaking their fast together during Ramadan while virtually connecting with extended family via Zoom. For more, see “A New Kind of Ramadan Experience” by Pooja Salhotra. 

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