Kifah Shah said after moving to New York in 2019, she was able to create a circle of friends.

“Faith in the city to me means that you have a sense of home,” said Shah.  

This year, she opened her home to friends to celebrate Ramadan, the holy month of prayer and fasting for Muslims around the world.

“The reason why you don’t eat [dawn to dusk] is so that you can elevate your consciousness. So, it’s no longer on a subconscious level, it’s on a visceral level,” said Shah.

During Ramadan the Iftar, a meal which breaks the daily fast, is a chance to be together.

“I think people are running to always do more good this month, so it’s hard not to kind of feel it and see it all around you,” said Shah.

Muslims are followers of Islam, the second largest religion in the world after Christianity. Islam is centered around the belief in one God, Allah. Ritual prayer is a central part of the faith.  

Adherents represent a wide range of ethnicities and backgrounds, but despite their numbers worldwide, Muslims account for some 2% of New York City residents, according to the Public Religion Research Insititute.

The Islamic Center at NYU offers a space where Muslims in the city can feel at home.

“We want people to understand that they can be unapologetically Muslim and not have to leave their Islam at the door. When you come into a room like this, there’s [sic] people who they get it,” said Imam Khalid Latif, executive director and university chaplain.

“We aim to provide space for students [and] the local community to come and breakfast to meet new people,” said Latif.

“Being a Muslim in the city and being a visible, perceivable Muslim, it comes with a lot but it also comes with a lot of camaraderie,” said Shah which has helped her feel connected, both to her community and to something much deeper.

“Faith in the city to me means you’re like enveloped by love… I just feel lucky to have that that sense of self and purpose and faith honestly that brings me closer to other people, whether you share my faith or not. It just means embodying a set of values that really do resonate with anyone,” said Shah.