Host: Sahaana Mehta (‘25)

Guests: Yousef Elsadek (‘25)  Inaya Sohail (‘25), Marwan Elsadek (‘27), Bisan Alozain (‘27)

Producer: Sahaana Mehta

Transcription: Sahaana Mehta

Art: Claire Kim (’25)

Background Music: “Happy Ramadan” by Capcut

In the sixth episode of the Pawdcast, host Sahaana Mehta and four guests discuss Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, prayer, family, and community.

Transcript

Sahaana 00:00

Hey, Wildcats. Welcome back to the Pawdcast. I’m your host, Sahaana, and in today’s episode, we’ll be diving deep into the beautiful and sacred month of Ramadan. And for those who observe it and those who are just curious, Ramadan is a time for fasting, reflection and togetherness. 

Today, I’m joined by four amazing guests to talk about the essence of Ramadan and share some personal traditions. My first guests are Yousef and Inaya, who will help us understand the deeper meanings behind Ramadan. And later I’ll be talking to Bisan and Marwan who will share with us some family traditions and unique experiences. 

Let’s get started. 

Thank you both for being here today. So to kick things off, let’s start with the basics. Can you guys explain to our listeners what Ramadan is and why it’s so special?

Inaya 00:53

So, Ramadan is a month of peace and self-reflection. I know that a lot of people associate Ramadan with having no food or no water, but it’s actually so much deeper than just that. We believe that during Ramadan, Shaytan, the devil is locked up. So all of our actions reflect on us and not just his influence. And so that’s why it’s a time that teaches us humility, and we experience what it’s like for those who struggle with hunger daily. So beyond just this physical fast, it deepens our connection with Allah — which means God in Arabic — and it reminds us of life’s temporary nature. So it is a reminder that wealth and status don’t define us, but it’s our relationship with Allah and our character that defines all of our actions and how we live our life, because Ramadan is technically how we’re supposed to live the rest of our lives.

Yousef 01:52

So to add on with what Inaya said, I think that, like you said in the beginning, in the intro, that it’s just reflection. This whole month we go through it, not just fasting from food, but we fast from cussing, from treating others badly. We fast from stuff that affects us inside and out. And so that’s why Ramadan is so special, because it’s a time to reset religiously and kind of check up on yourself and make good habits that can last you the rest of the 11 months.

Sahaana 02:20

That is a very beautiful explanation. And now Ramadan is about fasting, but you also mentioned that it includes community and reflection. So can you walk us through the different parts of Ramadan, like Suhoor fasting, Iftar, and the prayers, and then how do these practices impact your day-to-day life?

Yousef 02:37

So day-to-day in Ramadan is basically we wake up at our morning prayer, which is this year it’s about five, right?

Inaya 02:45

Yeah, five.

Yousef 02:45

Yeah. So we wake up bright and early and we make ourselves good food that actually helps us fast throughout the day, 

Inaya 02:50

So we don’t starve!

Yousef 02:52

Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I eat eggs. I don’t know about Inaya, but I’ll eat eggs. I’ll eat yogurt. I wake up bright and early for that. Yeah so that’s very important, so it teaches us that we can get up during these times and pray and be good at it.

Inaya 03:04

And actually to add on to that, Ramadan, it teaches us the discipline, that you have all this in you and you have the capability to not only wake up and to pray Fujr, which is the early prayer, but to fast and to do all five of your prayers, which is obviously very hard to do because you can’t, Fujr is a really hard prayer because you make up in the middle of the night and all that. But it teaches you that you have the capability to do all of these things. 

Yousef 03:34

And you know, there’s Iftar, which is when we break fast together. And that’s obviously a time to connect, and I know with family and friends and it’s a very special time. That’s why we love Ramadan for what it is.

Sahaana 03:45

And like you said earlier, fasting seems to be the core, but it’s also not just about refraining from food and drinks. You mentioned a little bit about this, but if you can elaborate, what do you think fasting teaches you and how does it affect your relationship with others and also with yourself?

Yousef  04:01

It teaches you discipline. Especially when you’re in America, and I can relate, we sit and watch our friends eat and we can’t have a piece, we usually do. But yeah, it teaches you discipline. You have to sometimes sacrifice what you want for a greater purpose. Inaya, if you want to share?

Inaya 04:22

Yeah, I think exactly what Yousef said, it is obviously hard to watch your friends and all that, but the benefits that come with that is that you learn that you get the sense of peace in your heart because first of all, you’re putting yourself in other people’s shoes, people in poverty, and you’re becoming more grateful towards food. Because what is really a sip of water throughout your normal day to day? But during Ramadan, that one sip is everything. And it also teaches you about over over-consuming. When you have that one sip, after breaking your fast, it fills you up. After that whole day of hunger, you have one sip of water and you’re full. So it is teaching you, oh my gosh, I can’t believe I am over consuming so much. And everyone these days they go get coffee and this and that, but you don’t need to eat that much. So it not only teaches you. So again, discipline and then obviously empathy is a huge one. And putting what we said earlier,

Yousef 05:28

I think what you said was right.

Sahaana 05:30

Yeah, and I think you phrased it really beautifully. So how do you balance fasting with your everyday life, like work or school? Do you feel like it affects your productivity or energy levels in any way? 

Inaya 5:44

Oh, definitely.

Yousef 05:45

Yeah. I think for me it’s tiredness. You wake up and you can’t have food and water, but it teaches you to make do with what you have.

Inaya 05:56

Yeah, the sleepiness and the tiredness is the worst part, but it’s showing you that when you’re not eating food and water, obviously you’re feeling cranky. You want to lash out on people, but that’s what Ramadan is about. Can you control yourself? Can you stay happy?

Yousef 06:21

I completely agree. That’s the whole essence of Ramadan. What Inaya was getting into is that when you want to lash out on someone because you don’t have food, you don’t have food and water, but you have to self-control yourself. That’s the beautiful part about Ramadan is that it teaches you to control yourself and to make you a better person overall.

Inaya 06:39

Yeah. Because it’s in these 30 days that you’re building these good habits. That’s why it doesn’t vanish overnight. I like the analogy when you’re stirring a cup of coffee and you take the spoon out, it keeps stirring. So in that same way, those sins, those bad habits are going to keep, it’s not going to stop. So that’s why it’s a 30-day long period because it’s not going to just vanish overnight, it’s going to take time. It’s going to purify your soul and it’s going to take time. It’s not just the body, but it’s the soul.

Sahaana 07:14

Suhoor and Iftar are such important moments. What are your guys’ favorite parts of the day and what do you guys usually have to eat? Also, how do you feel like those meals differ from non Ramadan days?

Yousef 07:28

I think if anyone said that they prefer Suhoor over Iftar, they’d be crazy.

Inaya 07:33

I think Iftar for both of us, and honestly, for anyone, is our favorite meal. Suhoor, I don’t think anyone would like waking up in the middle of the night and eating because that could probably make you vomit. But yeah, Iftar is probably our favorite part, like patties, samose, wontons and spring rolls, those kinds of munchies. But then there’s also the big dish. So usually it’ll be biryani or kadhai, or yesterday we had Peri Peri chicken. So things like that.

Yousef 08:05

You’re making me hungry. I think for the Arab side of things, since I’m Egyptian, we eat a lot of stuff. Obviously macarona bashamel (no one’s going to understand these words), but we eat a lot of meat stuff too, like stuff that has a lot of meat, a lot of carbs in it. And it’s just at the end of the day, it’s not just the food itself, it’s not the amount of food. It’s the people there at the table eating with you, so that’s the most important part.

Sahaana 08:30

And Ramadan can also be a time for self-reflection and growth. So how do you guys challenge yourself during Ramadan to become a better version of yourself, and would you say you’ve noticed any personal changes or growth over the years?

Inaya 08:43

I try to be kinder and if I’m feeling annoyed about something, I try to control myself and not lash out, which is I think one of the hardest things ever. But again, Islam does not expect you to be perfect at all. But I’ve been trying to control my annoyance and frustration a bit more, and I’ve been trying to read the Quran more so every day I’ve been trying to read at least 15 to 20 minutes, which is a huge deal for me before I never used to read it. And also trying to understand the translations along the meaning with it. And this year actually, I’ve been completely not listening to music at all, which is a huge deal for me, ‘cause I don’t think you’ve ever seen me without headphones. But yeah, it’s a big stepping stone because last year I didn’t really do that with Ramadan. I still listened to music, but this year I completely cut it out. And also instead of watching YouTube, like Slushy Noobz or something like that, I’ve been watching more like Omar Suleiman. His series even has a beginner. If you want to learn more about his Islam or even just Ramadan or anything in general, like life lessons, he’s a really good start. So his Jannah series or the Barzakh and Beyond series is really good. 

Yousef 10:01

Yeah, for me, every Ramadan just like Inaya, I try to read the Quran, which is our holy book, five, ten minutes a day. That’s something that helps us. And more personally, since I am in charge of a lot of Mock Trial, I have IIOB, which is my Islamic club. I try during Ramadan to help myself focus more on it. Sometimes I’ll lose focus, sometimes I’ll be disorganized and Ramadan comes along to remind me that I have it in me to organize it and lead well. So for me it’s kind of like an opportunity to say, you know what, let me focus on what I’m in charge of now and help the people around me more than myself.

Sahaana 10:39

So one last question before I chat with Bisan and Marwan. Ramadan is often about giving back to the community. So for you guys, what role does charity in helping others play in your experience? And are there any specific charity activities that you guys engage in during this month?

Yousef 10:54

Yeah, for me, so again, as I said, I love helping the people around me, especially in my Islamic Club, IIOB, Inaya is there all the time with their friends. And for me, it’s about teaching people. That’s number one, how to help people. That’s a form of charity in Islam, our prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, he told us that a smile is a form of charity, so you can help people in the smallest ways. And for example, I’m also part of a mosque in Anaheim, IIOC. (Shoutout IIOC!) I also help them a lot with events and they’re so amazing — they help people discover Islam or be better at being a Muslim and whatever it might be. So Ramadan is really that perfect moment. It’s great that you ask that question. It helps people a lot.

Inaya 11:39

And sadaqah actually means charity. It’s just one of the five pillars of a Islam. So giving charity and Ramadan just holds a greater significance. So the reward is multiplied during the month. So charity in general is a big part of who we are as a Muslim. So just giving charity during this time is just even a greater award.

Sahaana 12:00

Thank you guys so much for all your insights on this. It has been so enlightening and I’ve loved talking to you and I can definitely hear how passionate you are. So thank you guys for participating.

Inaya 12:11

It’s been amazing. Of course.

Sahaana 12:23

Welcome Bisan and Marwan. Thanks for joining me today. Ramadan is a time when families come together. So I’d love to hear about your family traditions. Can you guys please share what your families do during Ramadan to make it extra special?

Bisan 12:35

Me and my family love inviting family friends or being invited for Iftar. Just eating with a big group of people in Ramadan makes it so much better and fun. I also love how it makes memories and family vibes because for me, Ramadan was never just a month of the year that you just fast and get closer to God. For me, Ramadan is something much bigger than that. Somehow just gathering with people that I love brings me happiness and makes me new favorite memories.

Marwan 13:07

For me personally, my family, we always break our Iftar together, or we break our fast, I apologize. And we also decorate the house, which adds an effect of making you feel more inside of Ramadan. And like Bisan said, we invite family friends over for gatherings and it just builds the community.

Sahaana 13:30

Right. And family is such an important part of Ramadan. Do you guys think there’s any particular memory or tradition from your childhood that stands out to you when you think about Ramadan with your family?

Bisan 13:41

I just remember being invited by family members for Iftar, and we will invite them too. And I remember how every time we would gather together, the moms would stay in the kitchen, and make a lot of food that we are usually too lazy to even think about on the usual.

Marwan 14:02

Back when I lived in Egypt, I remember because my family lived very close to each other, so every single day we would go to each other’s houses, rain or shine, just no matter what was happening in our lives, we’d just go to each other’s houses. And I think about it a lot now because ever since I moved to America, I have no family here. So having friends over is also enjoyable, but it’s just a completely different effect when you’re with your family.

Sahaana 14:29

It’s not exactly the same. And many families have a unique way of celebrating. So do either of your families have any special dishes or foods that are a must have for Iftar or Suhoor ? And what makes those dishes so significant to you and your family?

Bisan 14:45

I believe a lot of families do it a lot too, but in my family we must have samboosa, which is a crispy fried pastry filled with cheese or something different like chicken, beef, or even spinach, for every Iftar. It’s just a side dish, but it’s one of my favorite parts about Ramadan and it breaks my heart when my mom forgets to make it.

Sahaana 15:12

What about you, Marwan?

Marwan 15:15

My family doesn’t really have any special dishes that’re a must have every single day. But my mom does make a dish called macarona bashamel every single, every first day and sometimes it’ll be the last day of Ramadan. And I don’t know if it’s just because I’m so used to it, but that’s my favorite dish ever.

Sahaana 15:33

And so what is it exactly?

Marwan 15:37

It’s not spaghetti. It’s pasta and then it’s layered with some cream called ‘”bechamel” and then ground beef and the pasta. It’s like lasagna, but without cheese.

Sahaana 15:50

That sounds really good.

Marwan 15:51

Yeah.

Sahaana 15:51

So aside from the meals, what are some other family activities that you guys enjoy during Ramadan? Do you guys have any traditions that are related to prayer or reflection or just socializing with extended family or friends?

Bisan 16:04

So other than gathering together for Iftar, there are always just new series for Ramadan, so we always watch them together, especially the comedian ones. It’s a must have for every day. And I’m personally really excited for this part of the day, every day. 

Sahaana 16:24

What about you, Marwan?

Marwarn 16:25

Yeah, my family also does watch those series because they make special ones for Ramadan. But I do also contact all my family because like I said, ever since I moved to America, staying in contact has been difficult. So just first week or so, you just go through, you make sure that you contact, and stay in touch,

Sahaana 16:46

Right. And even especially with time differences and stuff, it’s difficult. So Ramadan is definitely not just about what we do in our homes, it’s also a time for broader community involvement. Do you guys and your families engage in any community activities or volunteer work during Ramadan and how does that influence your celebration of the month?

Bisan 17:07

I just really love going to the mosque either with my family and family friends or just being dropped there. I just love the feeling there where I can pray with them, walk around, go somewhere nobody else is in. But my favorite part is when they actually have activities either with families or playing, laughing, having fun until we just run out of breath with girls my age or people that genuinely have pure hearts there. Also during the last few days of Ramadan, my parents always donate food.

Marwan 17:45

My local mosque does have a youth group, so I like going there, volunteering there. My family most nights we try to go to a mosque. If we’re not completely tired after breaking our fast, but just in general, I feel like the people there, you forget your age because just age doesn’t matter there. You just all agree with each other. You’re all just one family, community.

Sahaana 18:11

Yeah, that’s really nice. The night prayers during Ramadan especially Taraweeh can be a beautiful spiritual experience. Does your family attend the mosque together or do you prefer to pray at home? And how does the experience of praying as a family strengthen your bond?

Bisan 18:29

I don’t always pray with my family, honestly. Sometimes because we go to the mosque at night for Taraweeh, but most of the time I’ll just get dropped there and I’ll either pray with other women or just with my friends. But either way I really love it. I also love when they actually have more activities after. 

Marwan 18:50

My family, again, tries to make it every day, but we’re human, we can’t always make it. And sometimes we do pray at home, but not as much because usually at the mosque either pray eight units or 20 units. And so at home you’ll pray maybe four.

Sahaana 19:07

Right. And there’s often a sense of excitement and anticipation leading up to Eid. So how does your family prepare for Eid during Ramadan? And is there a particular tradition or a ritual of some sort that you follow before the celebration?

Bisan 19:21

I love this part. So Eid is really exciting to the point in me and my family sometimes don’t sleep at night, the night before, especially me, I don’t sleep the night before, every year. We just spend the night getting our Eid outfits ready, picking the makeup look, and also planning how we’re going to spend the day, when we’re leaving, and where we will pray, and which of our friends are coming with us, and where we’re going to eat breakfast after. As a girl, we start picking our outfits and ordering them days before, even the makeup look, or the hijab, or hairstyle. We are just planning for it. And the girls will literally do anything to find a perfect dress or an abaya, or just an outfit that no one else will come up with are just so exciting. And the fact that adults give children money is basically the best part.

Marwan 20:30

Well, I don’t do makeup, but I do get my outfit ready before, you always have to lay it out on the bed just to see how it looks. But in general, it’s usually chaotic in the morning because everyone decides to do what they’re going to do in the morning, Especially my dad takes forever. But once we’re all done, it is like a peaceful chaos. It’s chaotic, but you enjoy it and you really do miss it after it’s done. And once I start living alone, I don’t know how it’s going to be. I don’t know if it’s still going to be chaotic or my family’s gone.

Sahaana 21:11

I mean you can always have them over and family, friends and everything. You can always host.

Marwan 21:15

Yeah, hopefully. Hopefully.

Sahaana 21:17

So lastly, what do you guys think is the most rewarding aspect of celebrating Ramadan with your family and how do you think it strengthens your bond? Do you guys find that Ramadan brings your family closer together in any specific way?

Bisan 21:30

I really love Ramadan. It does bring me and my family closer together and it creates so many memories and somehow it heals my heart. It is definitely my favorite month of the year.

Marwan 21:44

Hopefully Yousef says this too, Ramadan is like a reset. There’s 11 months and then it’s just one month. And I swear it flies by so quickly. We’re already halfway done with it. And reflecting during Ramadan is possibly one of the greatest feelings in the world because if you don’t do it Ramadan then when are you going to do it?

Sahaana 22:07

Thank you both for sharing your insights and your personal experiences with Ramadan. It’s clear how much this month means to each of you. And I am so sure that our listeners have learned so much, whether you observe Ramadan or not. It’s a beautiful time to reflect on gratitude and the importance of family and community. Thank you again, Yousef, Inaya, Bisan and Marwan for being a part of today’s episode. It has been an absolute pleasure hearing about your experiences and traditions.