Having to forgo the annual Black Iftar, which is celebrated in cities around the United States, meant losing an opportunity to spend time with a diverse group of Muslims without the weight of judgement Watts said many black Muslims, both converts and those born into the faith,  face in the Islamic community.

“Black Iftar is a safe space where we don’t feel like anyone is looking at us. We can dress the way we want, we can talk the way we want, we can just be ourselves,” Watts explained, adding the event was a cause for good as it put people into a room to experience one another on a different level. 

“My leading mantra is that I believe the world can change one conversation at time,” she said. “To do that, we need to learn how to speak to one another and how to accommodate people.”

Watts said the event attracts and welcomes all people and has hosted community and political leaders, activists, bloggers, nasheed artists and others.

Difficult Lonely Ramadan

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Watts said it’s this type of rich environment, one where people come together for good food, conversation and fellowship, in which she thrives. Not surprisingly, Ramadan spent away from the mosque and the company of people outside her immediate family has been difficult.

“I am having a hard time; I cried all day the first few days of Ramadan,” she said. “I’m working from home, my children are home on Zoom (school meetings and lessons), so by the time I clock out I am so tired and it’s all I can do to cook dinner. It’s just a lot and it’s overwhelming.”

She said she also misses her family’s evening treks to different mosques for prayer and her interaction with the different communities there. 

But, as she’s moved through Ramadan and begun to process her feelings of loss, she’s also strived to focus on what she calls “a different kind of blessing.” For Watts, that has meant more time spent in prayer and quality time with her husband and four children. 

Becoming Stronger

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In fact, she said she already can see a silver lining emerging from the ashes of this unprecedented and challenging Ramadan. “We’ll be a stronger family when we come out of it.”

She’s also happy that, through the use of technology, she’s been able to retain some semblance of Black Iftar. Each Wednesday evening, founder Abderahman holds the event via her Instagram account “Black Iftar.” Watts said people have flocked to the virtual feast, which features a different theme each week. 

She’s grateful and encouraged by the participation. 

“It’s going really well,” Watts said. “People come with lots of questions and engagement. They really want that connection, so they show up.”