Today is the second and last day of Eid al-Fitr, the religious festival that marks the end of Ramadan. So we asked creator and Irum Atlas founder Sebina Hussain to tell us all about the holy month and how it’s celebrated. Keep reading to learn how Sebina preps, observes, and enjoys this time.

The TLDR on Ramadan
Ramadan is a month in the Islamic Calendar, and it’s a time when Muslims refrain from eating and drinking (yes, even water!), as well as from having any sexual contact between sunrise and sunset. There’s also a significant focus on charity. And personally, I see it as a time to detox mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.

Prep Time
Ramadan creeps up on me very quickly every year, but a lot of people begin fasting once or twice a week before it in order to train their bodies. Some also cut back on caffeine ahead of it to help with caffeine withdrawal. My usual preparations include decorating the house and making a list of the goals I want to accomplish and things I want to learn within the month.

Month-Long Morning Magic
My husband and I wake up to eat and pray before sunrise. Our kids are usually asleep at that time, so I make the most of it by working on my spirituality. I try to make time every morning to read the Quran, especially in English. After 2 years of lockdown and having 3 babies back to back, my mental health wasn’t great, so reading the Quran in English really made me feel like God was talking to me and guiding me.

Parental Control
My kids are all very young—they’re 3 boys under 4—so they do not observe Ramadan yet. You’re only obligated to fast once you reach the age of puberty, so it varies from individual to individual, though it’s normally expected you begin at 14. From my experience, most children start younger than that simply because they see others observing it and wish to be a part of it. My children are still too young to understand, although we try to explain it as much as we can. There is a brilliant channel on YouTube called Omar & Hana where kids can learn about Ramadan and Islam in general. I wish we had something similar when I was younger.

The Party Don’t Start Till Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is a religious festival that takes place at the end of Ramadan. It’s a time to feast on your favorite foods, dress in new clothes, exchange gifts, and celebrate with loved ones. The way it’s observed varies from culture to culture. I’m Pakistani, so I’ll always wear traditional clothes (salwar kameez), and I tend to match my boys and husband to whatever color I’m in. This year we wore yellow on the first day and will wear red on the second—they’re always bright and joyful hues. Once the boys are dressed, we’ll let them open their presents and drop off some treats at our neighbors’. We then officially start the day with Eid prayers, followed by a visit to family, where we’ll have Eid breakfast, lunch, and exchange more gifts.

Don’t Forget the Food!
We tend to make traditional Pakistani recipes, but my family members are total foodies, so we’ll have lots of dishes. Last year we had 15 different types of desserts influenced by global cuisines! But my favorite recipe to make is Samosa Chaat. It’s a South Asian street food consisting of a pastry filled with vegetables or meat, and it’s served with a tangy chickpea salad. And to be totally honest, since I feel so relaxed on Eid, I always let the boys eat too many treats! After spending a couple years in lockdown, I was so excited to celebrate at my grandmother’s with all the children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren—there were over 50 of us at the house!