Ramadan 2020 is not going to be like any Ramadan in my memory. The global spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) has ushered in the era of social distancing, which means places of worship are closed and large gatherings are forbidden. This Ramadan, nights of taraweeh in congregation at the mosque will be replaced with solitary prayers at home. Weekends when I would have dressed up in glamorous Pakistani shalwar kurtas like Princess Jasmine to attend iftar parties will instead be spent in mismatched pajamas cooking and cleaning like Cinderella (before she became royalty). And plans to stick to a strictly healthy diet are probably going out the window because deep fried food like samosas and egg rolls will be a much-needed comfort during this uncertain climate. 

It’s that special time of year again. The time of year when we Muslims empty our stomachs to feed our soul. The time of year when the devil is locked away and the gates of heaven are flung wide open. The time of year when the smell of deep fried desi goodness, like samosas and egg rolls, wafts through my clothes my condo around sunset everyday.

Autumn is fast becoming my favorite season. The falling leaves, the golden-yellow and rapturous red trees, pumpkins everywhere, and the crisp air fill me with warmth and coziness. Not to mention hot apple cider doughnuts - my belly is full of about a dozen of these, and counting (hey no judgment, they’re delicious!). This time of year is also perfect for visiting orchards to go apple picking, taking photos in a pumpkin patch, and screaming your butt off as you run wildly through a spooky corn maze - while dressed in plaid prints. All of which I’ve done.