It has been a strange Ramadhan this year, a peaceful one for me, and for hundreds of thousands more living in the West. Clearly, I cannot say the same about many more souls across the world. Palestine. The birthplace of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) gave a season to reflect upon. So did Syria, Lebanon, and even Pakistan. Words like “genocide”, “mass extermination”, and “annihilation of a people”, all became a commonality. What I felt was the obvious comfort in our lives compared to what so many don’t have. Yet, somehow, I felt the tranquillity in the mosque. In my daily routine. How then, as a photographer can I portray this to the world? To show them, that the comfort I had is uncertain, just like it is uncertain for many more. For it is this comfort that we take for granted. We become complacent. Complacent in our expectations that the good we see around us in the West will continue, that the peace and tranquillity we see at home will last. For, what is happening in the far corners of the world doesn’t affect us. Perhaps it is times like Ramadhan that slow us down and help us disconnect from the noise.
Not long ago, perhaps reflecting upon the months of Ramadhan of the years past we quickly realise that if it wasn’t Palestine last year, it was perhaps the death of Pakistani lives lost in a heatwave, or perhaps the destruction of the living Syrian civil war, the lives lost in Burma, or the atrocities elsewhere, too endless to mention them all. What is it then, that makes us reflect about the less fortunate? And if doesn’t make us reflect, then what stops us from doing so?
The Quran explains the purpose of fasting as something that gives one awareness, of God-conciencesness. A moral compass. Let me explain, The word used in the Arabic language can be translated to a situation. It is too deep in its meaning to translate in a single word. But imagine, You are driving a car well above the speed limit, and suddenly in the corner of your eye, you see a police car, What’s the first thing you do? well, You take your foot off the accelerator! because you don’t want to get caught, or if you have stolen the car then you probably would like to do a runner! either way. you don’t want to get caught. This awareness of being caught in the act is the awareness that it alludes to. So how is it that we as humans carry on with our atrocities and excesses and what comes with it without such awareness?
Ramadhan means different things to different people, but to a community living together, it means coming together, in unity, in love, and in understanding. Forgiveness and serving your brothers in humanity at the forefront.
As a photographer, I have begun to appreciate what observing means, it is the camera that gave me the understanding of what presence truly is. To be one with the environment. To feel, to smell, to hear the sounds and be able to tell yourself, I am here, Living, a part of this place, right here, right now.
This is what I saw in the month, I was there, watching people wanting to pray. wanting to live in peace, and go about their daily routine. Break bread together. feed the Needy, clothe the Children, and many more wanting to do trade. Taking advantage of the crowds gathered at Mosques across the country charity organisations mobilised. Seeking help and support for those who need it the most. This was what Ramadhan was. For me, it was the presence around those reflecting just like me. Perhaps the same dreams and aspirations that every one of us holds dearly.
The celebration for all is EID.
What a great piece Sajad. Really appreciated the writing as well as the photography of course.
Beautiful reflection around photography presence and awareness Sajad! And the pictures amazing as always!