Tell us some background about your upbringing.
I grew up in Beirut during the civil war. My parents moved to the suburbs twice when the fighting intensified, but for the most part we lived through the war in the city. There were eight people in our household — my sister, two younger brothers, my parents, and my grandfather and grandmother.
During that time, I witnessed a beautiful sense of community in the neighborhood. Our next-door neighbors used to stay over because our apartment was sheltered and not facing the line of fire. We always made sure that our neighbors were safe and helped them however we could.
I met many of our neighbors either in the building shelter under the ground or when they came over to take cover. Growing up during such a dramatic time has created an unbreakable bond among us, which is a beautiful outcome from an ugly situation. Having survived the war has created a sense of appreciation and gratitude, a feeling that I find very common among Lebanese from the same generation.
Can you share some background on Ramadan and its importance?
Ramadan to me is about family, generosity, and gratitude. Ramadan is the fifth month in the Arabic calendar. It is required for all healthy adults to fast from dawn to sunset, and that includes abstaining from drinking water as well. This year, Ramadan is celebrated from April 1 to May 1.
I started fasting when I was 9 years old. Eating late at night is encouraged in Islam. Almost all food outlets stay open till dawn during Ramadan in Beirut. I remember as a kid going to the baker with my grandfather around 2 a.m. to get freshly baked pita with cheese and thyme. There was someone whose job was to wake up the neighborhood by walking the streets around 2 in the morning while banging on a drum and yelling, “Wake up and eat. Ramadan is here.” (The phrase rhymes in Arabic.)
During Ramadan, there is also an obligation to donate a portion of our money to the less fortunate. Helping the hungry and the poor while you are hungry hits different than helping when you are full and content. No matter how wealthy you are, during Ramadan you can truly empathize with those less fortunate. Experiencing the physical feeling of hunger makes the connection between giving and fasting so much stronger during Ramadan.
What are some of your favorite Ramadan traditions?
My favorite Ramadan tradition is gathering around the dinner table to break fast with the whole family. It doesn’t matter how busy we were with college or other matters, we had to be at home by sunset to break our fast together. I can’t replace that feeling with anything else. The first time I have ever felt sad during Ramadan was during my first year in the U.S. when I broke my fast alone. I didn’t know anyone back then. The next Ramadan I made sure I was cooking my favorite Lebanese meals and sharing dinner with Americans, international students, Muslims and non-Muslim students.
What is something about the Islamic faith that people may not know?
Gratitude is a key value of the Islamic faith. Scientists throughout history have deliberated on gratitude, and its benefits have been recently validated. For example, research has shown that gratitude can help people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
It’s an obligation for Muslims to pray fives times a day — at dawn, noon, early afternoon, sunset and at night — and recite “Al fatiha” from the Quran. Expressing gratitude is an integral part of the prayer, and it’s a beautiful thing to do it so frequently.
Have you faced any challenges being Muslim?
Having lived in Lebanon, and the U.S., I have never faced challenges being a Muslim. I believe that everyone has the same basic goals in life: to be happy, fulfill our aspirations, and be able to provide and take care of our families and loved ones. Those common goals bring people together regardless of their religious affiliations.
What makes you the proudest about being Muslim?
Before performing a prayer, Muslims must perform ablution, which consists of washing one’s face, arms, wiping the head and washing the feet. Muslims have to perform at least five obligatory prayers every day in pure heart and mind, in clean body and clothes. I’m proud to participate in this practice so often, which signifies cleanliness and purity.
As I previously shared, healthy Muslims are required to fast the month of Ramadan. Additionally, it’s recommended for Muslims to fast every Monday and Thursday, and Muslims do not drink alcohol. Research has indicated the positive health benefits of fasting. This focus on health and what we consume in our bodies is something I’m proud to take part in.
Muslims are also dedicated to family and community. It’s obligatory in Islam to keep in touch with family members and extended family members, Islam also puts a deep emphasis on our individual duty to our neighbors. It enjoins that they should establish social relations in which one can depend upon the other, regardless of the faith of the neighbor.
These reasons among many others make me proud being a Muslim.
How has your faith influenced who you are today?
The combination of my upbringing in Beirut and practicing Islam influenced me to become who I am today. It’s the extreme circumstances of war and destruction I grew up witnessing that have made me grateful and appreciative for my well-being and health. Practicing Islam provides me with a daily reminder that being grateful and caring for myself helps me lead a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
This is awesome. It’s great to learn about your past, family, traditions and religion too! Thanks for taking time to share your story!
Thank you so much for sharing!