Ramadan is a month of reflection and introspection shared among the estimated 1.5 billion people on earth who practice Islam. For 30 days, Muslims make the commitment not to eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. Although this might seem like torture to many observers, most Muslims look forward to going on this spiritual journey taking action to strengthen their bond with their creator.

In America, where there are Muslims from all ethnic backgrounds, Ramadan can be a time to explore the unique cultural diversity of which the Islamic community is composed.

As one Muslim-Turk at the Islamic Center of Southern California commented while sitting at a table with an Indian-, Iranian- and Egyptian-Muslim, “This could only happen in America.” This photo essay documents the first two days of Ramadan, Sept. 13 and 14.

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