Why My First Ramadan Was Pretty Lit | AJ+

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan is sometimes seen as a month of suffering. But it's actually a month of celebration and community. And that's exactly what Yara Elmjouie learned when he fasted for his first Ramadan.

#Ramadan #Fasting #Muslim

PRESENTER/PRODUCER: Yara Elmjouie
SENIOR PRODUCER: Tabish Talib
EDITOR: Nan Pierce
ANIMATOR: Marisa Cruz

CAMERA: Yara Elmjouie, Tabish Talib
ADDITIONAL CAMERA: Dariel Medina
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: Adrienne Blaine, Thamine Nayeem
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Ethar El-Katatney

BRANDING/LOGO: Mohammad Aklik, Mohammad Kakhi
SPECIAL THANKS: Omar Duwaji, Ta’leef Collective, Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California

FEATURING: Imam Zaid Shakir (Zaytuna College), Imam Suhaib Webb, Azita Sayyah (Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California)

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[inigojuancarlos]

I’m not a Muslim but I always fast during Ramadan for 5 years now.

Edit:
Why would I need reasons (and explain to strangers why), despite being non-Muslim and being a passive non-religious person, that I’m fasting during Ramadan — same way I’m celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah & Divali. I only have one religion and it’s called “Humanity”.

[sakeydy]

This is a big help for me, its my first Ramadan also as a muslim. I just converted few months ago. Thank you for sharing this video🙂 means a lot to me.

[xWood]

It's like when BuzzFeed tries stuff except that it's actually good journalism and it's relevant subjects.

[niverian]

I'm christian, but I feel this opens my mind to the amazing aspects of the Islamic faith. I may not understand a lot of how it all works, but I feel it helps me show how the faith works and can better appreciate the beauty of it outside of media portrayals and propaganda. I hope you all are blessed. Salaam.

[mohammedsharikuzama]

Who's watching this in 2019 Ramadan? Ramadan Mubarak from India :)

[giselaswaragita]

I'm an Indonesian Catholic and I love the festivity of Ramadhan, especially when I join my friends for the big iftar dinners. Friends who are otherwise very preoccupied with jobs and adulting and surviving with a lone meal-times will spare more time for others and for joyous dinners in Ramadhan. It was really a month of fun and good foods!

[cowrymoo]

when i was still in high school, i had a muslim friend. one time, when she was fasting, her classmates felt guilty that they could do their usual lunch-sharing at lunch, and she couldn't join in to eat and gossip with them. her classmates devised a plan to not eat during the whole day and have a feast at sundown so that the whole class could eat with her. it was one of the best moments in high school. i went to their classroom and they were having a party. they were having a karaoke, a bunch of food, and just having a good time.

[jediking]

I joined Ramadan to support my friends at work. It changed a lot in my life so far. I don't crave sugar anymore and I'm doing a lot of extra things at work to keep my mind off of food. I might keep this going on but just have my liquids and maybe a small lunch.

[cmo]

AJ+ is like buzzfeed, but if buzzfeed actually was culturally significant

[elrumi]

Ramadan, you come too long, and you leave too fast.

You will understand this if you ever fast in ramadan at least 2 or 3 years.

[davefomin]

Such a wholesome tradition. Seems like an awesome community to be part of

[mirzafarhan]

He just bro fisted that imam..That's actually kinda cool, it really made my day!!

[Nico.Robin]

Damn. Missing Suhoor is the worst feeling ever 😭😭

[qamarpasha]

Ramzaan is not about lot of food but feel the hunger which the poor goes through...

[prairiehorse]

This video makes me happy, especially the charity part. Wish I could go to or organize an Iftar because it sounds like so much fun but I'm agnostic.

[peehead]

these videos have taught me so much about islam, thank you for making information about this beautiful religion so accessible

[tube]

Very well done! At a time when Muslims are being vilified by everything and anything, it's refreshing to see an alternative perspective.

[nuux]

It's kind of a fallacy to regard Ramadan as a holiday/celebration.

Ramadan is a religious observance - that also happens to be fun, joyful, uniting and exciting etc. But it's purpose is spirituality and worship, so it's not actually a festival.

The actual Islamic celebration is called Eid.

[SuperAksd]

This year was my first Ramadan fast and the whole experience has been so incredible. I've always wanted to try fasting but for some reason I never had the chance until just a few weeks ago I decided to go for it. I've learned so much about myself. It felt so great giving charity to those in need. Thank you God for giving me this opportunity. I wish everyone Ramadan Mubarak! I pray and hope that Allah will listen to our prayers. InshaAllah ❤

[btsbangtonboys]

This is like the most beautiful thing i ever seen. He literally explained ramadan throughoutly. My heart is crying. Couldn’t be any better than this.