Highlighting the diversity within Islam during Ramadan
Muslims in New York and around the world are on the final stretch of Ramadan, the holy month when those of the Islamic faith fast daily from sunrise to sunset.
The last day of Ramadan is expected to be April 9, with Eid Al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan, likely on April 10.
What You Need To Know
Muslims in New York and around the world are on the final stretch of Ramadan, the holy month when those of the Islamic faith abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset
Arianna El Haloui, who is of Mexican heritage, converted to Islam four years ago and is doing a 14-hour fast daily
Out of the estimated 1.8 billion Muslims globally, 800,000 live in New York City, according to the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
El Haloui said she doesn't have a hard time abstaining from eating and drinking — her biggest challenge comes from the limiting of outside distractions such as movies and music
Arianna El Haloui, 24, is of Mexican heritage and said she’s at peace with whom she is. Even if it doesn’t make sense to other people who, at times, question her faith.
“But I’m Mexican. How can a Mexican be Muslim?” she said, recalling the shock people have when she tells them about her faith.
El Haloui converted to Islam four years ago when taking religious studies courses at NYU.
“I got to understanding that maybe I am more interested in this than just a student, maybe I’m interested in this for myself,” El Haloui said. “Once I realized that there was a place for me in Islam, it was a really easy decision.”
Her place fits within an already existing diversity in Islam. Out of the estimated 1.8 billion Muslims globally, 800,000 live in New York City, according to the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, a research organization focusing on American Muslims.
“Leaving out my normal Spotify playlist that I listen to in the morning or things that I didn’t realize were having a certain effect on me, I feel like once they’re out of my daily routine, I have a lot more free time. I have a lot more time to sit in my thoughts. It’s the hardest part, but it’s the most rewarding part,” El Haloui said.
She believes being Muslim makes her a better person, especially this month.
“I feel closer to Islam than I ever have, and I think that’s making really good improvements in my personal life and in my work life, kind of all over,” El Haloui said.
The end of her roughly 14-hour-fast is a daily reminder of her blessings in life, and the very large community she’s now part of.
“We all have room to improve. We all have things that we need to learn about our neighbors, about our friends, about people who practice something different than we do,” El Haloui said.
El Haloui said her parents have been very accepting of her becoming a Muslim. She is making Ramadan care packages to send out to them and other family members — including with dates and spices — as a way to educate them about this month.
Reference - https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/religion/2024/03/31/highlighting-the-diversity-within-islam-during-ramadan