Tag: Ross Barkan

Ramadan, the ninth month in the Muslim calendar, is observed by fasting during the day. For another Muslim working in politics, fasting isn’t actually the biggest challenge. “I am not proud about this, but it’s pretty common for me to sometimes forget to eat lunch so refraining from food and drink during Ramadan is not the most challenging aspect of fasting while at work,” said Faiza Ali, co-director of the Community Outreach Unit of the Community Engagement Division at the New York City Council. Like Mamdani, she often celebrates iftar with members of her community. New York, particularly in New York City, has a relatively high Muslim population compared to other states. New York City Councilman I. Daneek Miller, the only Muslim elected official in New York City or in the state Legislature, is not fasting Ramadan this year, as he is recovering from an injury. Like Miller, Ali said that she found Ramadan to be an extremely spiritual experience. Latif said that she will be spending as much time as possible with her family for Eid al-Fitr. Mamdani will be celebrating the holiday with the campaign, attending morning prayers near Bay Parkway in Brooklyn, which is attended by thousands of people. This is the first time that Mamdani is observing Ramadan fully in many years.