I’m almost done with my first Ramadan in Los Angeles – here’s how it went…

When moving away from your hometown for the first time, many people grapple with the difficulties that come with upholding their religious beliefs and practices in a new area.

For many of us, religion is inextricably linked to family, community and tradition, so in the absence of that, how can you continue to fulfil your religious obligations?

This was a question I reflected upon deeply last month, as the Islamic month of Ramadan fell upon us. Ramadan requires Muslims to fast from sunrise to sunset, meaning you cannot eat or drink anything during sunlight hours. This was to be my first Ramadan away from my family and, more crucially, in an area with a very small Muslim community, in contrast to my hometown which is over 30% people with the same religious background as me.

Many of my ‘new’ friends in LA were surprised when I told them I’d be busy for the next few weeks. Meeting somebody ‘practicing’ (to use their words!) is not always the most common in a bigger city like LA.

So, here are 3 steps I took to uphold my religious beliefs after I moved here.

No matter your religion or background, I’m sure you’ll find these helpful!

1. Get involved with communities

It doesn’t matter how big or small your religion is, there will be a community for it somewhere here. Los Angeles is such a big city with a very diverse cultural and religious landscape, that you’re sure to find a community that suits you. A great starting point is your university, if you’re a student. For example, USC has a Muslim Student Association which offers a quiet place to pray between classes and holds community-based fast-breaking events to recreate the communal feelings we miss being so far away from our families. Similarly, Jewish students can join USC Hillel or Chabad and the Christian Life Team exists for Christians. But you can also look further afield and find communities or religious centres in your local area.

For full transparency, not all communities will feel the most welcoming at first but you don’t have to attend any in-person meetings if you don’t want to. It is still helpful to stay in the loop with your local community so that you’re up to date with announcements, for example the dates followed by your area if religious observances are based on moon sightings.

2. Don’t be afraid to explain yourself

I’ve learned that LA citizens, for the most part, have less of an awareness of religious rules than that which exists in my hometown. And that’s okay! But it just means you have to be patient when explaining to people why you cannot, for example, go out at a certain time or drink alcohol or eat certain types of food. I would advise thinking of a boilerplate response or two you can default to in these situations so you’re never caught massively off-guard.

3. Harness the power of technology

There are so many apps that can be used to make practicing your religion easier when moving to a new place like LA. For example, the app Mawaqit displays local prayer times in California. Bakkal is another app you can use in Los Angeles to easily shop for particular Turkish (and other specialty) groceries and meats that adhere to religious guidelines – this has been a lifesaver for me! No matter your religion, the US Appstore is extensive with its offering, so there probably will be something in there that can make your life easier.

Another particular thing I want to mention is that if you’re a student, you can still observe Ramadan around your studies. I had two classes fall during sunset, meaning I had to break fast in class twice a week for the month. Some professors are understanding and will let you step out for a short while, but if you’re unable to do this, be as prepared as you can with a full water bottle, some dates and snacks to see you through until class is over. It might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people fail to prepare for this and simply skip class instead!

Ultimately, moving to a new city doesn’t mean you need to let go of your old beliefs.

Despite its party reputation, there are some fantastic religious communities here and people for the most part are very open-minded and respectful of your observance, whatever level that may be. One of the best parts of LA is how diverse it is, so hopefully you won’t feel out of place for long!