Muslims all over the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan properly for the first time in two years.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.
Like other religions, Belfast's Islamic Centre suspended all prayers and activities during the Covid pandemic, which meant no congregational daily prayers, a particular challenge during Ramadan.
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Muslims normally fast during daylight hours and come together for prayer and reflection in mosques during Ramadan.
The fasting period is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam and it lasts for 30 days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.
Now with restrictions lifted, Ramadan can go back to its normal self, with the Muslim community coming together again to eat and pray.
Pashmina Kashif, 43, is the Office Administrator of the Belfast Islamic Centre, based in the south of the city and the biggest of the nine mosques in Northern Ireland.
Originally from Peshawar in Pakistan, she moved to Belfast in 2005 with her husband Kashif, 52, and raised her two sons, Zoraiz, 21, and 15-year-old Ayaan, here.
"Belfast is my home now and whenever I go back to Pakistan to visit my family I feel homesick for the place," Pashmina told Belfast Live.
"My eldest son was five when we moved here and my youngest was born here so they've never known any different and both have typical Belfast accents.
"But when we first moved here I had full blown depression after leaving all my family behind and not knowing anyone here at all. It was a time when there were hardly any other Asians and only one Halal shop around.
"Some of my husband's family live in Dublin but we couldn't see them every day or week. I remember crying and wondering if there would ever be a day when I would get used to this place."
Pashmina joined the team at the Belfast Islamic Centre in 2014, which was established in 1978 by a group of Muslims from the local community to provide a focus for all those living in Northern Ireland.
At present, 42 nationalities use the centre, which acts as both a place of worship and a community hub.
While no-one is certain about the exact number of Muslims in Northern Ireland, it is estimated that there are over 12,000 currently resident in the province.
In 2020 during the pandemic, large gatherings at mosques and homes were put to a stop and many Muslims living here experienced a Ramadan like never before.
Like many, Pashmina missed the social aspect of getting together to celebrate Ramadan by breaking their fast and saying congregational prayers so she is enjoying being back to normal again.
"It's a festive month although I think there is a perception that we starve ourselves to death all day but that's not the case. I do dread it every year before it starts but whenever it finishes, I really miss it.
"We come together at night for prayers and to break the fast. Everyone is here - whole families join in - so it's like a celebration each night."
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