Member-only story
THE NARRATIVE ARC
What Ramadan Could Mean to a Non-Muslim
Remembrances of cross-cultural living in the Holy Month
Concerned about rush hour traffic, I arrive at the mosque, nestled in a residential neighborhood, with ample time to spare before the evening’s interfaith Iftar — one of a series I have been invited to attend as a community partner through this holy month at various Islamic establishments in the region.
Turquoise, tan, blue, and beige tiles in geometric flowery designs adorn the mosque exterior. I let myself in through a glass door, on which a taped sheet of printer-paper announces in bold red lettering: Sisters Entry. After removing my shoes, an usher leads me up a short flight of stairs padded with soft, worn carpet.
Blue tarp covers the floor of the main prayer hall. Scattered teams of hijab-donning girls and women, outfitted in muted tones, weave in and out, chattering in low murmurs as they place bowls of medjool dates on the tarp and arrange paper cups in neat matrices next to jars of apricot juice on makeshift tables.
I ensconce in a corner along the far wall opposite the podium, next to a golden star-and-crescent backdrop. Somehow, I attract the attention of the official videographer, who approaches and asks me for a quote about the personal…
