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The meaning of Eid
Eid is the one to three days at the end of Ramadan, the lunar month in Spring when Muslims show their devotion by refraining from food, drink and sex from sunup to sundown. Eid is a time for reunion after this arduous month. Muslims across the world share an ascetic experience during the month of […]
A Ramadan primer: Why we fast
While growing up in Yemen, I was introduced to the practice of fasting. It was a common practice, in which all the families will encourage their children, as young as 7, to practice fasting. In my household, I had parents who were very observant of Islam. In fact, my father was an imam of a […]
As a Muslim from Yemen, I am not offended by an instructor showing a piece of art.
I was initiated in a very religious family who adopt a literal understanding of Islam. For example, when I entered the house, I had to recite certain sentences in Arabic. As a child, if I did not recite those prayers, I would have to exit the house and re-enter. It is that serious. And when […]