Beautiful Portraits Challenging The Image Of Muslim Women During Ramadan
Ramadan is a monthlong period when Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset and really focus on deepening their connection with God. It is a time marked by introspection, closeness and, for Muslim women, a sharing of sisterhood and community.
This is what the photographer Nadia Correia wanted to capture in her project, The Unheard Voices of Ramadan. Though Nadia is not religious herself, she has always had an interest in and curiosity about spirituality, especially Islam, and has researched the world and experiences of Muslim women. “During my research I felt there was little space given to women to share their experiences and points of view around Ramadan.”
Nadia partnered with Redefining Concepts, an online platform run by two of the participants, Aminah and Sadia, which champions young creatives and brings this community together, giving everyone the chance to have a creative role on each project they make.
The resulting images celebrate Muslim women and reflect the introspection and togetherness that Ramadan represents. Each woman is pictured with the objects they carry during this holy period — from the water bottle that Sawda always keeps close by to the prayer mat Sadia was given by her grandmother on her first Ramadan.
While ignorance and Islamophobia shape how Muslim women are seen by the outside world, patriarchy within Muslim communities can also have an effect. Shaming about being unable to fast during periods or pregnancy, for example, can be used to belittle women, as though they are failing to follow the rules. But as Sawda points out: “There’s nothing wrong with being a woman. I love to remind those around me who doubt that. You’re not lesser than because you miss some fasts.”
These beautiful portraits show the variety of faces that make up the Muslim community, while the women’s experiences show how they are at the forefront of Ramadan. The solidarity and sisterhood they share is integral to the experience. As Aminah told Refinery29: “Ramadan is a time where there is a stronger bond of sisterhood than there is in any other time of the year.”
Safia with her Qu’ran
“I think during Ramadan I seek a lot of knowledge and guidance from the people closest to me, no matter how many Ramadans I’ve done. My sisters (also my sisters in Islam: friends) and mother are always guiding me and me them, and that’s how I believe sisterhood and womanhood fit into Ramadan for me.”
Sahra with her Qu’a, a diary of Ramadan
“I believe that women are at the forefront of Ramadan in so many ways. When I think about Ramadan, I think about my Quranic teacher at the mosque who is a woman, the aunties who I greet when going for taraweeh, making traditional Gambian food with my mum and grandmother. That’s Ramadan.”
Sabren with her lantern, gifted to her as a child when she started her first Ramadan
“Ramadan has always been about togetherness for me, whether it’s in preparing meals for the family, friends or prayer or preparing Ramadan goody bags for those in need, these are all things we do collectively as women to support each other, so really it means everything I guess.”
Sawda with the water bottle she always keeps close by
“Ramadan is the one time I see my homegirls and I love it. We all make the effort to see each other, whether that be going to the masjid for talks, iftar and taraweeh or going to each other’s houses for iftar; it’s probably the time I see my girls the most. I also catch up with other sisters in the community that I may not see often because everyone makes that extra effort. It’s very heartwarming. During this lockdown I definitely feel…different because although introspection is an individual activity, being able to look outwards and see your homegirls in the same boat is a great reinforcement.
Aminah with her set of beads
“Ramadan is a time where there is a stronger bond of sisterhood than there is in any other time of the year. Women are more willing to build a spiritual community during this month to uplift one another and get closer to God together.”
Sadia with her grandmother’s prayer mat, gifted on her first Ramadan
“When I hear the word Ramadan, I think of big feasts. My mum, my sister and myself in the kitchen all day preparing iftar. I wouldn’t say I necessarily think us women are unheard voices but more so hidden gems. We are the home of Ramadan, people should acknowledge that more often. Ramadan is a time for us woman to unite and feed everyone. It’s empowering, the fact that we are capable of not eating or drinking all day yet cooking and keeping it together. As a unit we’re unstoppable!”
Sophia in her niqaab
“I wanted to be a part of this project because every picture has a story behind it, and the story behind this project is something I’m truly passionate about. I feel strongly about voices being heard no matter who you are or where you’re from. I represent a group of women who many people believe their voice to be tamed, so I felt obliged to take part.”
Originally published at https://www.refinery29.com.
