Sana Raheem and Hiba Irshad’s childhoods in Michigan and Iowa were reflective of the Muslim immigrant experience: surrounded by a makeshift village of aunties navigating their new lives in America, women who empowered and uplifted each other while raising their children together.
Years later, in New York, “I yearned for that,” said Raheem, an SVP at the Farmer’s Dog and founder of the stationery brand the Ramadan Edit. “I missed not having to explain my faith. I missed women who just got it—the fasting, the family obligations. So I decided, just like our mothers, I was going to build that community.”
Last Monday, Raheem and Irshad, a former music exec and founder of 25percent.co, a creative studio championing South Asian and Muslim talent, convened 65 powerhouse Muslim women for iftar, the meal that marks the end of a day of fasting during Ramadan. The invitation called for Ramadan-inspired evening wear, so I donned a gossamer silk abaya with sequined palm trees that I got in Dubai from designer Sanah Yasin and made my way to Maze, an alcohol-free members club in Flatiron.
Qawwali music played as shimmering kaftans, Palestinian thobes, Pakistani shalwar khameezes, and fusion ensembles from Chicago designer Azeeza, Dubai-based POCCAA by Alia, and Indian label AMPM swirled around the room. I even spotted another palm-tree-studded Sanah Yasin abaya. As I surveyed the massive floral crescent event designer Sunji Chowdhury had fashioned from orchids, calla lilies, and roses presiding over a grazing table and slender red candles flickering throughout the room, one thing was clear: This may have been the chicest iftar I’ve ever attended.
Most people know Ramadan as the month when Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset—no, not even water. But it’s not as difficult as it sounds, because these 30 days are filled with community, charity, and a sense of gratitude. My fondest Ramadan memories growing up revolved around homes: intercepting my mother’s freshly fried samosas on their way to the table for iftar, or gathering at friends’ houses after taraweeh prayers at the mosque and chatting all night until suhoor, the pre-dawn meal. But in a city like New York, where many apartments aren’t conducive to hosting on a big scale and an impromptu dinner is anything that gets scheduled less than two months in advance, cultivating Ramadan spirit takes a lot of effort.
Nayeema Raza, host of the podcast Smart Girl Dumb Questions, has lived in Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia, Jordan, Libya, and the UAE, where Ramadan is woven into the fabric of society. “In some ways, it isn’t conducive to a New York City life,” she mused as we sipped on date and tamarind mocktails by the bar. “I admire people who create these spaces to come together to do something that is quite hard—a month of sacrifice and discipline in a city that's all about indulgence.”
After the adhaan, or call to prayer, reverberated at sunset, I broke my fast with a date and made my way around the room, catching up with old friends and introducing myself to new ones. Raheem and Irshad asked everyone to go around the tables introducing themselves, and periodically interjected to add impressive footnotes about those who were too modest about their accomplishments. Trailblazers from every industry were in attendance: New York Public Library curator Hiba Abid; Rana Abdelhamid, founder of antiviolence nonprofit Malikah and author of the new book Get Home Safe: A Guide to Self-Defense and Building our Collective Power; celebrated artist Shahzia Sikander; Kenza Fourati, model and founder of Tunisian footwear brand OSAY; Ford Foundation CIO and Girl Scouts National President Noorain Khan; Dr. Syra Madad, chief biopreparedness officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, and more.
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“It’s an amazing community of women across so many industries—the power is in building this community, leaning on each other, giving back,” said Samina Virk, CEO and CMO of Vestiaire Collective. “It’s quite humbling to be a part of this group, and I’m excited to see what comes of this.”
Hearts were heavy with traumatic events unfolding in Iran, Palestine, Sudan, and the Gulf weighing on guests’ minds, but with so many people feeling isolated watching the headlines, the focus was on supporting each other. “It’s a heavy time right now, we can all feel it,” said Irshad. “We have to come together and use our collectsive power and influence to change the narrative.” And as we chatted over platters of rigatoni and grilled salmon, strangers quickly became friends. By the time dessert rolled around—a cloudlike date cake with hints of orange blossom and cardamom—collaborative sparks were flying.
Celebrity stylist Engie Hassan, cofounder of women’s wellness platform Revelist, offered to style Time 100 Next 2025 poet and activist Emi Mahmoud for an awards ceremony in Norway. When New York state senate candidate Aber Kawas shared why she was running for office, Zainab Saadia Saeed, the chef behind the supper club Gathering Table, leaned in and asked, “How can we help?” Actors met filmmakers, venture investors connected with entrepreneurs, fashion designers exchanged contacts with makeup artists. Nabiha Syed, executive director of the Mozilla Foundation, told the room, “If you work in the areas of tech, culture, and power, I want to talk to you.”
After lingering far later than anyone expected for a school night, we reluctantly began heading out—toting Ramadan Edit gift bags, brimming with inspiration, and eager to carry on the evening’s convivial spirit throughout the rest of the month and beyond.