GALLERY: Ramadan through the eyes of women

26 June 2017 - 13:38 By TIMESLIVE
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For the diverse communities that form the fabric of the Muslim population of Johannesburg and Pretoria, the large number of Masajid dotting these cities and their suburbs become a hamlet where to pray, fast and reflect. Together, alone or in solitude these moments become the embodiment of the spirit of Ramadan. GULSHAN KHAN documents their story.

At the Naqshbandi Sufi Centre in Baccleuch men sing praises to Allah, the Prophet Mohamed and the pious predecessors deep in to the hours of the night during the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan, on June 19, 2017. The centre is rooted in the teachings of Sufism which practices among many things the deep introspection and the embracing of the divine presence of God, the concept of oneness and spiritual connection between all of the living.
At the Naqshbandi Sufi Centre in Baccleuch men sing praises to Allah, the Prophet Mohamed and the pious predecessors deep in to the hours of the night during the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan, on June 19, 2017. The centre is rooted in the teachings of Sufism which practices among many things the deep introspection and the embracing of the divine presence of God, the concept of oneness and spiritual connection between all of the living.
Image: GULSHAN KHAN
Children fall asleep while women pray the first Taraweeh (late night) prayer of the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan, at the Nizamiye Mosque in Johannesburg on May 26, 2017. The prayer takes place every night for the duration of the 30 day of fasting and many mosques complete a reading of the entire quran in this time. It is believed that Ramadan is when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) by God. The mosque was completed in 2012 and is an adaption of the 16th-century Ottoman Selimiye Mosque which is situated in Erdine, Turkey and it, including the school, museum and shopping complex situated in Midrand is a significant marking of the Turkish community's contribution to the South African landscape.
Children fall asleep while women pray the first Taraweeh (late night) prayer of the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan, at the Nizamiye Mosque in Johannesburg on May 26, 2017. The prayer takes place every night for the duration of the 30 day of fasting and many mosques complete a reading of the entire quran in this time. It is believed that Ramadan is when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) by God. The mosque was completed in 2012 and is an adaption of the 16th-century Ottoman Selimiye Mosque which is situated in Erdine, Turkey and it, including the school, museum and shopping complex situated in Midrand is a significant marking of the Turkish community's contribution to the South African landscape.
Image: GULSHAN KHAN
Women pray salah and recite the Quran during the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan, at the Nizamiye Mosque in Johannesburg on June 21, 2017. The mosque was completed in 2012 and is an adaption of the 16th-century Ottoman Selimiye Mosque which is situated in Erdine, Turkey and it, including the school, museum and shopping complex situated in Midrand is a significant marking of the Turkish community's contribution to the South African landscape. The community also hosts mass iftars (breaking of the fast) every night, hamper and food distributions among other projects for the entire duration of Ramadan
Women pray salah and recite the Quran during the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan, at the Nizamiye Mosque in Johannesburg on June 21, 2017. The mosque was completed in 2012 and is an adaption of the 16th-century Ottoman Selimiye Mosque which is situated in Erdine, Turkey and it, including the school, museum and shopping complex situated in Midrand is a significant marking of the Turkish community's contribution to the South African landscape. The community also hosts mass iftars (breaking of the fast) every night, hamper and food distributions among other projects for the entire duration of Ramadan
Image: GULSHAN KHAN
Dua'a (supplication) is made after a Quran recital by a group of women during the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan, at the Nizamiye Mosque in Johannesburg on June 21, 2017. It is believed that Ramadan is when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) by God and many muslims try to complete a reading of it during this time. The mosque was completed in 2012 and is an adaption of the 16th-century Ottoman Selimiye Mosque which is situated in Erdine, Turkey and it, including the school, museum and shopping complex situated in Midrand is a significant marking of the Turkish community's contribution to the South African landscape. The community also hosts mass iftars (breaking of the fast) every night, hamper and food distributions among other projects for the entire duration of Ramadan.
Dua'a (supplication) is made after a Quran recital by a group of women during the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan, at the Nizamiye Mosque in Johannesburg on June 21, 2017. It is believed that Ramadan is when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) by God and many muslims try to complete a reading of it during this time. The mosque was completed in 2012 and is an adaption of the 16th-century Ottoman Selimiye Mosque which is situated in Erdine, Turkey and it, including the school, museum and shopping complex situated in Midrand is a significant marking of the Turkish community's contribution to the South African landscape. The community also hosts mass iftars (breaking of the fast) every night, hamper and food distributions among other projects for the entire duration of Ramadan.
Image: GULSHAN KHAN
An elderly woman sits in dhikr (the remembrance of Allah through meditation and prayer) at the Bosmont Mosque during the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan on June 06, 2017. Dhikr is practiced in many different forms by muslims around the world some standing or whirling and some to the beating of drums and at the Bosmont Masjid it has the distinct melodious Cape Malay roots
An elderly woman sits in dhikr (the remembrance of Allah through meditation and prayer) at the Bosmont Mosque during the Muslim holy month of fasting, Ramadan on June 06, 2017. Dhikr is practiced in many different forms by muslims around the world some standing or whirling and some to the beating of drums and at the Bosmont Masjid it has the distinct melodious Cape Malay roots
Image: GULSHAN KHAN
In Masjid Al Taqwa, a mosque built by the Oromo community in Mayfair, Johannesburg, women stand in Taraweeh (late night prayer) during the holy month of fasting, Ramadan on June 06, 2017. The masjid is a vibrant space and is surrounded by stores owned by people living in the area which stay open till very late at night making the street-front a social hive of activity where women feel safe to walk freely.
In Masjid Al Taqwa, a mosque built by the Oromo community in Mayfair, Johannesburg, women stand in Taraweeh (late night prayer) during the holy month of fasting, Ramadan on June 06, 2017. The masjid is a vibrant space and is surrounded by stores owned by people living in the area which stay open till very late at night making the street-front a social hive of activity where women feel safe to walk freely.
Image: GULSHAN KHAN
Women take a few minutes of rest before continuing with Salatul Tasbih, an optional prayer believed to have many spiritual benefits, at the Sultan Bahu Mosque in Johannesburg during the holy month of fasting, Ramadan on June 07, 2017. The Sultan Bahu Centre is renowned for its ethos of "Healing a Heart" and is a well established community-based NPO which began over 40 years ago and now has offices in all of SA's major cities. The centre runs many projects including a home for vulnerable children, a drug rehabilitation centre, as well as specialised medical care that reverses cataract blindness and provides access to dialysis among others.
Women take a few minutes of rest before continuing with Salatul Tasbih, an optional prayer believed to have many spiritual benefits, at the Sultan Bahu Mosque in Johannesburg during the holy month of fasting, Ramadan on June 07, 2017. The Sultan Bahu Centre is renowned for its ethos of "Healing a Heart" and is a well established community-based NPO which began over 40 years ago and now has offices in all of SA's major cities. The centre runs many projects including a home for vulnerable children, a drug rehabilitation centre, as well as specialised medical care that reverses cataract blindness and provides access to dialysis among others.
Image: GULSHAN KHAN
Men perform the second part of the midday prayer out of congregation at the Itirileng mosque in Pretoria during the holy month of fasting, Ramadan on June 07, 2017. The masjid, built by a community based non-profit organisation called Neighbourly Needs runs many projects in the area including building low cost housing, education programs and sustainable development feeding schemes.
Men perform the second part of the midday prayer out of congregation at the Itirileng mosque in Pretoria during the holy month of fasting, Ramadan on June 07, 2017. The masjid, built by a community based non-profit organisation called Neighbourly Needs runs many projects in the area including building low cost housing, education programs and sustainable development feeding schemes.
Image: GULSHAN KHAN
Women relax and chat in the Itirileng mosque in Pretoria after the midday prayer during the holy month of fasting, Ramadan on June 11, 2017. The masjid, built by a community based non-profit organisation called Neighbourly Needs runs many projects in the area including building low cost housing, education programs and sustainable development feeding schemes.
Women relax and chat in the Itirileng mosque in Pretoria after the midday prayer during the holy month of fasting, Ramadan on June 11, 2017. The masjid, built by a community based non-profit organisation called Neighbourly Needs runs many projects in the area including building low cost housing, education programs and sustainable development feeding schemes.
Image: GULSHAN KHAN
Getting ready for iftar (the breaking of the fast at sunset) people collect haleem , a popular lentil soup made in Ramadan, in Itireleng informal settlement, Pretoria outside the Itirileng Mosque on June 11, 2017. The masjid, built by a community based non-profit organisation called Neighbourly Needs runs many projects in the area including building low cost housing, education programs and sustainable development feeding schemes. A painted sign on the wall from years before reads "Eid Mubarak" which is a salutation for a blessed Eid.
Getting ready for iftar (the breaking of the fast at sunset) people collect haleem , a popular lentil soup made in Ramadan, in Itireleng informal settlement, Pretoria outside the Itirileng Mosque on June 11, 2017. The masjid, built by a community based non-profit organisation called Neighbourly Needs runs many projects in the area including building low cost housing, education programs and sustainable development feeding schemes. A painted sign on the wall from years before reads "Eid Mubarak" which is a salutation for a blessed Eid.
Image: GULSHAN KHAN
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