ENERGY: A Photographic Diary by Sadaf Syed

Not all Shero’s wear capes. #iCOVER 🧕🏼 #HandsOffMyHijab 📸 @sadafsyedart . . #icover #hijab #eu #europe #politics #dirtypolitics #law #muslimwomen #hijab #women #muslim #modesty #news #freedomofreligion #sadafsyed #shero #veil #discrimination #racist https://www.instagram.com/p/CRcepeTjyLS/?utm_medium=tumblr

Why protest, reshare posts, donate, call government, or say a prayer? Well, If there’s no action then don’t expect a reaction!! Your silence may go against you in this world or in the hereafter. 🔊 (((Speak up))) We all have a huge responsibility on our shoulders. 🇵🇸🤍 📸 PC @sadafsyedart . . #longlivepalestine #gazaunderattack #savesheikhjarrah #freepalestine #palestine #chicagoprotest #humanity #peacenotwar #protest #speakup #michiganave #chicago #instaprotest #photo #icover https://www.instagram.com/p/CO9J4MtDDdK/?igshid=a8c14xyrjbjj

My Beloved Ramadan – A Photo Gallery ✨🌙 Circa 2016 📸 @sadafsyedart (iPhone) for #Patheos @altmuslimah @dilshaddali . Photo 1: Mejdool dates with whip cream and almond. Photo 2: Moon sighting. Moon sighting atop the hills of Diamond Bar, CA. Families came out before sunset to eyewitness the moon. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whenever you sight the new moon (of the month of Ramadan) observe fast.” Photo 3: Prayers for Muhammad Ali. The world mourned for the loss of the People’s Champ. Muslims from around the globe took this opportunity to pray for his departed soul and recited some Quran in his name on this month of Ramadan. May he rest in peace. Aameen 🤲🏼 . Photo 4: Suhoor time. Inspired by Prophetic Foods. Islam has encouraged us healthy eating more than 1400 years ago by Prophet ﷺ . He ﷺ said, “A human being fills no worse vessel than his stomach. It is sufficient for a human being to eat a few mouthfuls to keep his spine straight. But if he must (fill it), then one third of food, one third for drink and one third for air.” . Photo 5: Community Ifthar. Local community joined together in breaking fast hosted by the Middle Ground Muslim Center in CA. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever feeds a fasting person will have a reward like that of a fasting person without any reduction in his reward. . Photo 6: Ladies Mawlid. A Ladies mawlid lead by our daughters in the SoCal. Mawlid is a time where Muslims rejoice in commemorating the birth of prophet ﷺ and talk about the mercies of Allah for sending him ﷺ . Photo 7: First Jummah. This has been so far one of my highlights of Ramadan 2016. First time, listening to my brother in-law give the khuthbah/Friday sermon in a local mosque in LA. . Photo 8: Ramadan read. Besides the daily recitation of the Quran, these two books have also been part of my regular worship routine thus far. . Photo 9: Ramadan activities. Here our children from the Illinois community are creating homemade prayer rugs with some assistance. . Photo 10: Dua during the Rain. Prophet ﷺ said, “Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan is being called, and at the time of the rain” #islam #ramadan #photodiaries #muslims https://www.instagram.com/p/CNfxRnIjshF/?igshid=64e27003bbkr

What’s your vibe? 📸☀️☕️🏝📚 . . 📸 @sadafsyedart @thechaispot #thechaispot #chai #india #pakistan #gupshup #vibe #traveldiaries #photo #culture #art #desicultute #sefona #arizona (at The Chai Spot at Tlaquepaque) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNda_Naj5RP/?igshid=14hur0tskcwk1

To Be Like A Dervish Often I find myself tangled in this chaotic world Searching for an opening but get pushed back by the bumpy roads People often tell you, when you’re in the Divine path be ready to be tested. But praising Allah and RasulAllah IS the way for your soul to be uplifted and protected. . Photo & reflection by @sadafsyedart #sadafsyed . #divinity #faith #poetsofinstagram #photogram #faith #dervish #whirlingdervish #rumi #islam #icover #spiritualart #creativityandspirituality #photooftheday #konya #turkey #author #culture #spirituality #travel #documentaryphotography #reflection #prayer https://www.instagram.com/p/CIkCFV0AsLP/?igshid=18dgs7krz0v62

When @washingtonpost interviews @sadafsyedart after @muslimgirl founder @amani announces her run for a seat at the Congress. Of course, I had a lot more to say about how Islam empowers Muslim women but this is what made the cut. 💁🏻‍♀️ . . #election2020 #amanialkhatahtbeh #sadafsyed #icover #sadafsyedart #Muslim women #election #politics #usa #americanmuslimwomen #congresswoman #ilhanomar #rashidatlaib #media #photojournalism @instastory #picoftheday #instawomen #journalism #media #muslimwomen #woke #womensday #muslimgirl #muslimgirlarmy #art #washingtonpost #washpostphoto https://www.instagram.com/p/B-qlfYqDXHs/?igshid=1qu5pnfgnm0d

#Islam celebrated women from DAY ONE. Please stop hijacking this beautiful religion. Try to pick up the Holy Book by a reputable publishing company and sit and learn with a reputable scholar. Go with an open heart & mind and let the knowledge sink in without any preconceived notions. ❤️✅ to Unity and 🙅🏻‍♀️to division. Thank you & God Bless you all ❤️🙏🏼🤲🏼 ✌🏻 #muslimwomensday #muslimwomen #abrahamicreligions #women #islam #icover #hijab #muslims https://www.instagram.com/p/B-QFG8QAmHx/?igshid=1dorgeewqa3d4

@ucsbmsa invites award-winning #author and #photographer @sadafsyedart on February 25th, Tuesday at 7pm. Come join us on uncovering the myths of hijab at University of #california, #santabarbara . . #sadafsyed #ucsb #msa hijab #iCOVER #photo #muslimwomen #photobook #femalephotographer #muslimstudentassociation #meettheauthor #book #artist #booktour #coffeetablebook #documentary #muslim @muslimgirl @muslim https://www.instagram.com/p/B8wxgwkgztx/?igshid=2njcrcqp1vf6

Just like life My trip back home to SoCal Has been tested with mixed emotions. DELIGHTED to spend time with family and celebrate my birthday in the west coast after 6 years since my dads passing. Then the rugs gets pull out from under your feet (the next day) with the news of legend Kobe Bryant and others passing away. An hour later, someone rear ends my car, leaving me with some aches and pain. But. That. IS. Life. Our happiness only depends on our attitude with God. Choose your words wisely, be merciful to yourself and others, leave the judgement to God as He is the Most Merciful. Just like Kobe as a coach advices Gianna and her teammates, “Get better everyday!” . 🙏🏼For some guidance and comfort, I turned to God, I cried and prayed. Next day, I paid my respect at the Staple Center. 💐 (at Staples Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/B76dmQbgLPO/?igshid=43u16qtt8yp2

“To be able to win a Daybreak Book Award for my photo documentary book iCOVER means a lot to me. Daybreak Press Publishing is founded and run by all female employees, whom I happen to admire so much. Similarly, that’s how iCOVER was created. iCOVER was nurtured by creative females in order to celebrate moments in the day-to-day lives of these Muslim women - moments that the average American can relate to once they embrace the fact that these women wear hijab.” - Sadaf Syed @sadafsyedart, Daybreak Book Award Winner for Best Nonfiction Book (iCOVER) . . Repost from @daybreakpresspublishing using @_repostplus #sadafsyedart #sadafsyed #icover #book #art #photo #photographer #bookawardwinners #photobook #nonfictionbooks #bookaward #muslimauthor #muslimshelfspace #hijabstories #tamaragray #ansetamaragray https://www.instagram.com/p/B5yEZ60Aeyc/?igshid=18andcvqiji18

Bidding farewell to #rabbialawwal Be still my heart ♥️ Ya Allah, you are the One who gives us strength so please strengthen me Ya Allah, you are the one who knows the secrets of my heart so please nurture me with your Mercy Ya Allah, you are the one who is the Best of Planners so make me the one who has complete tawwakul of you, so guide me Allow me to bloom into something so beautiful internally from all the ups and down in my life. Who is your beloved, ya Allah? In what you love our hearts will find peace. What is beloved to you is beloved to us. Is it what completes la illaha ilallah wa Muhammad ur RasulAllah (salal lahu alayhi wa salim) Is it he who was born an orphan, Whose own family turned against him Who lost his loved ones and had to bury his children He who experienced tests after tests Is it he who was sent by God as a Mercy to mankind To save Mecca as they were drowning in sins Indeed it IS he who will intercede for us on the day of resurrection. (God Willing) So lets praise the one who leads us to the Most Praiseworthy One Oh dear soul of mine stay connected to the Divine, your status and dollar bills nothing matters, by God hold onto the rope of Allah there you will find the manual of life Be still my heart ♥️ because there is no God but God and Prophet Muhammad is his messenger. May peace and blessings be upon him 📸 & ✍️ @sadafsyedart #sadafsyed . . #prophetmuhammad #peacebeuponhim #salawat #durood #birthofprophet #madinah #masjidnabawi #greendome #12thrabbiulawal #islam #madinahmunawarah #seerah #sira #poetry #books #author #photo #instaphoto #instapoetry #poetsofinstagram #umrah #pilgrimage #photosofinstagram #travel #art #faith #believers #spirituality https://www.instagram.com/p/B5ZdIzwARpl/?igshid=r21rhkdgca45

MUSLIMS OF CHICAGO: @sadafsyedart Sadaf Syed is an award-winning photojournalist & author. Her book, iCover, is a coffee table book showcasing different #muslimamerican women including surfers, bikers, dancers, boxers and other fascinating individuals who cover! Due to her success in breaking down stereotypes and inspiring her audience through photography, @sadafsyedart has been named a leading artist by the White House. She previously worked for @aljazeeraenglish and is a board member and official photographer at @myjihadorg 👊🏽 In March 2019, Syed was recruited by the @chicagomuseum to photograph Muslim Chicagoans for their American Medina exhibit which is on right now! Syed often gives talks and holds book signings at schools and community centres and bookstores! Please connect with her to collaborate and swipe to see some pics! https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kzalwA46i/?igshid=yry0g5d7ty9

MUSLIMS OF CHICAGO: @sadafsyedart Sadaf Syed is an award-winning photojournalist & author. Her book, iCover, is a coffee table book showcasing different #muslimamerican women including surfers, bikers, dancers, boxers and other fascinating individuals who cover! Due to her success in breaking down stereotypes and inspiring her audience through photography, @sadafsyedart has been named a leading artist by the White House. She previously worked for @aljazeera_america_ and is a board member and official photographer at @myjihadorg 👊🏽 In March 2019, Syed was recruited by the @chicagomuseum to photograph Muslim Chicagoans for their American Medina exhibit which is on right now! Syed often gives talks and holds book signings at schools and community centres and bookstores! Please connect with her to collaborate and swipe to see some pics! https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kzHrTAHuZ/?igshid=b65x6mkyig6x

Dedicating my art to my #sheroes @lsarsour @zbilloo Since we’re talking about #islamophobes #humor Lets turn the tables. #EducateWithHumor 📸 @sadafsyedart #sadafsyed . . @cairchicago @ahmed.m.rehab @yasminab123 @angie.emara @jabeen.mmc #cair #photo #educate #ignorance #love #unity #photocampaign #stereotypes #politics #media #myjihad #icover https://www.instagram.com/p/B3NkjTLgK1M/?igshid=5hwwpkeuqi11