How to Create Your Own Ramadan Traditions If You’re Away from Family
The video above shows Zainab Fatima, a youtuber originally from pakistan and is in her final year at TCU living away from family. Her sister Khadeeja also has started studying there and now ramadan has approached, Zainab talks about the traditions and struggles she faces during this blessed month.
Okay, here are the Ramadan-related parts of the video, spoken from Zainab’s point of view, with the opening greeting in Urdu:
- “السلام علیکم، رمضان مبارک” (Assalamu Alaikum, Ramadan Mubarak), which means “Peace be upon you, Ramadan Mubarak” [00:00].
- Because it’s Ramadan, I promise I’m not lying when I say more vlogs are coming [01:45].
- I mention waking up for Sehri, the pre-dawn meal during Ramadan [04:00].
- I didn’t sleep until Sehri the previous night [05:22].
- Sometimes I don’t have anything prepared for Sehri, so I go to the grocery store for something easy [05:52].
- I have to ask my family to wake me up for Sehri [19:40].
- I make foods like paratha rolls, pasta, and noodles for Sehri [19:54].
Ramadan is a time of togetherness, spirituality, and tradition, but when you’re away from family, it can feel lonely and disconnected from the usual warmth of home. Whether you’re studying abroad, working in a different city, or simply unable to be with loved ones, you can still create meaningful Ramadan traditions that bring you comfort, connection, and a deep spiritual experience.
One example of someone navigating Ramadan away from home is Zainab Fatima, a YouTuber from Pakistan who is currently in her final year at TCU (Texas Christian University). Despite her sister also studying there, she misses the spirit of Ramadan that she used to experience back home. In her vlogs, she shares how she tries to maintain the Ramadan feeling even while being away from family.
1. Accept That It Will Feel Different (And That’s Okay!)
One of the biggest struggles of observing Ramadan away from family is managing expectations. The bustling suhoor, shared iftar preparations, and late-night taraweeh at home are hard to replace. Instead of trying to recreate everything exactly as it was, embrace this as an opportunity to build new traditions while still holding on to the essence of Ramadan.
Zainab Fatima often talks about how she misses the Ramadan atmosphere of Pakistan, but instead of focusing on what’s missing, she finds ways to bring a piece of it into her life abroad—whether through cooking her favorite dishes or staying connected with family.
2. Make Suhoor & Iftar Special, Even If It’s Just for You
🍽 Try Cooking Traditional Dishes: Even if it’s just you, preparing a special iftar meal inspired by home can bring comfort. If cooking feels overwhelming, meal-prep in advance or join a local Muslim community potluck to share food.
🎶 Set the Mood with Quran Recitations & Nasheeds: Play Islamic reminders, the Adhan, or even Pakistani Ramadan nasheeds in the background while preparing food.
📱 Virtual Family Iftar Calls: If possible, video call family during iftar—it may not be the same as being there physically, but it helps keep the connection alive.
3. Find Community & Create New Traditions
🤝 Attend Local Mosque Events: Many masjids and Islamic centers organize iftar gatherings. It’s a great way to meet fellow Muslims who are also away from home.
👭 Join a Ramadan Study Group: If you’re a student like Zainab, you can start a small Ramadan accountability group with Muslim friends or classmates to pray together, reflect on the Quran, or discuss Islamic topics.
🕌 Taraweeh & Worship Nights: If you miss the feeling of praying together, find a local masjid for taraweeh or organize a small prayer group with friends.
Zainab Fatima shares how being in a university setting away from family can be tough, but finding a sense of community among fellow students helps keep the Ramadan spirit alive.
4. Stay Connected with Family & Culture
🎥 Watch Ramadan Content That Feels Like Home: Whether it’s Pakistani Ramadan dramas, family vlogs, or YouTube videos like Zainab’s, surrounding yourself with content that reminds you of home can be comforting.
📞 Regular Check-ins with Family: Whether it’s sending a quick text or scheduling a weekly video call, staying in touch helps maintain a sense of belonging.
👗 Dress for the Occasion: Even if you’re alone, dressing up for iftar or Eid can uplift your mood and make the occasion feel more special.
5. Focus on the Spiritual Side of Ramadan
✨ Deepen Your Connection with Allah: Being alone during Ramadan can actually be a blessing in disguise—it allows for more personal reflection, dedicated ibadah, and time for self-improvement.
📖 Make a Quran & Dua Schedule: Set daily goals for recitation and reflection. Having structure keeps you spiritually engaged.
💌 Write a Ramadan Journal: Reflect on your emotions, prayers, and gratitude daily. This can become a personal tradition that grows each year.
Zainab Fatima emphasizes that while being away from family is challenging, it also gives her time to reflect deeply and strengthen her personal faith.
6. Embrace New Ramadan Experiences
🌍 Explore How Ramadan is Celebrated in Your New Community: Whether you’re in the U.S. like Zainab or somewhere else, every place has its own unique way of celebrating Ramadan. Attend local events, learn new traditions, and be open to different cultural experiences.
🎁 Give Back to the Community: Participate in charity work, volunteer at a mosque, or help organize iftar events for others who may also be alone.
Final Thoughts
While nothing can truly replace the feeling of Ramadan with family, being away doesn’t mean you can’t experience a meaningful and spiritually fulfilling month. Like Zainab Fatima, who is navigating Ramadan in a new environment, you can create new traditions, find community, and deepen your faith in unique ways.
No matter where you are, the essence of Ramadan remains the same—reflection, connection with Allah, and gratitude. It’s all about making the most of your situation and finding joy in the small moments.