What is the rhythm of Ramadan? For Noran Morsi, it’s capturing the Holy Month’s spirit one illustration a day. Inspired by the tradition of mosalsalat, Arabic Ramadan TV series, where audiences tune in for a new episode each night, the NYC-based Egyptian illustrator has been documenting the highs, struggles, and quiet reflections of fasting in one of the world’s busiest cities.
“This series is about capturing what it really feels like to experience Ramadan in New
York—breaking fast in a subway station, finding moments of stillness in a city that never
slows down, and balancing faith with daily life”, says Morsi. “It’s a deeply personal project,
but also something I hope resonates with anyone observing Ramadan in a place that doesn’t
pause for it.”
From Suhoor at a 24-hour bodega to the communal warmth of Taraweeh prayers spilling
onto city streets, “Ramadan in New York City” paints a vivid, intimate portrait of
Ramadan outside the Muslim-majority world.
“One thing that makes New York City feel like home is the diversity of the kind of food we can get here. I’m almost never homesick for Egyptian food because you can find it all here. Balady is an Arab supermarket in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn where you can find anything from Medjool Dates to Kunafa.”
“My first Ramadan in New York is what started to shape my experience here. Moving from a Muslim-majority country where I had lived my whole life, I wasn’t really starved for Muslim friends or a community – until Ramadan. That’s when I felt that gap in my life and wanted to share the precious experience of Ramadan with others that also practiced. So I started going to the Islamic Center at NYU, a one-of-a-kind religious center where I felt welcomed.”
“If you’re ever in New York City you have to go to Lava Shawarma. Their Shawarma, obviously, is excellent, but their tea after a long day of fasting is a refreshing taste of home.”
“I was walking home one day after Taraweeh in one of Manhattan’s trendy young neighborhoods on a Friday night, full of young NYU students lining up for parties and clubs, and then I spotted this pizza plate with writing on it. I love seeing little glimpses here and there of Muslim life blending in with everyday NYC.”
“Doing this daily illustration exercise has been great for trying to spot beauty in the mundane. I keep finding myself drawn to prayer rugs. There are so many designs and colors and inspiring patterns that I would draw a different prayer rug every day if I could!”
“Ramadan in NYC is not like anywhere else, and that’s why I wanted to make this series. This scene for me is a typical one for my New York Ramadan. My friend Sam trying my high school friend Alia’s skateboard as we quickly catch up, one of us running to the subway, the other running to Taraweeh, the other grabbing a burger for the local Imam. Nothing about the photo really says Ramadan but it is the wonderful jumble that is New York.”
This series can be followed daily on Instagram at @StudioNoran. Illustrations and words by Noran Morsi, an Egyptian illustrator based in New York City.
KANDAKA 