With millions of Muslims celebrating the holy month of Ramadan all over the world, celebrities are not exempt! You’ll be surprised to find out who else is fasting and praying with us this Ramadan.
French Montana
His real name is Karim Kharbouch, he is a practicing Muslim and goes by the name French Montana. Often being vocal about issues that affect Muslims, he attended this year’s Met Gala in traditional Arab dress, including a thobe, ghutra and agal in homage to the first night of Ramadan. He also posted an image of himself at the Met Gala on Instagram with the caption: “CHEIK MONTANA RAMADAN MUBARAK.”
Zayn Malik
The handsome One Direction member, and long-term boyfriend of Gigi Hadid annually wishes his followers a “Ramadan Mubarak” on social media. Zayn Malik, of Pakistani and British heritage, has also professed his alliance to the Muslim community and is proud of being a part of it.
SZA
Born Solána Imani Rowe, the singer/songwriter known as SZA was raised in a rather conservative Muslim home. In an interview, she once said that her father is a strict Muslim and that wearing the hijab and being modest was important to her as an adolescent and that she remains a practicing Muslim.
Mahershala Ali
He made history as the first Muslim to win an Oscar when he won the academy award for Best Supporting Actor in 2018. The Moonlight actor converted to Islam in 2000 and has openly spoken about his participating in the faith and what it means to him. When he donned a beanie hat to the Oscars this year, it was speculated that the hat was a tribute to a traditional Jinnah cap.
Iman Abdulmajid
Revered for her striking beauty, Somali-born super model, Iman Abdulmajid is a Muslim. In the past she has spoken about the challenges she faced trying to balance her religion with her modelling work. She always shares a “Ramadan Kareem” message on social media.
Gigi and Bella Hadid
Supermodel sisters, Bella and Gigi Hadid have in actual fact been bestowed the knowledge of the faith of their father, Mohamed Hadid. The girls might not fast, but they are proud to be Muslims and spoke with Harper’s Bazaar Arabia about their faith and stated, "That was the best day of my life, when I went and saw the mosque in Abu Dhabi.” Adding about their father, “He would teach us about it and we would go and do Eid with my family and we would do Ramadan – I did that since I was a kid. Once I got older I was working and going to school so I couldn’t fast for as long. My dad, he’s so passionate about it, and that’s what kept me very passionate and excited about my roots."
DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled is best known for his musical collaborations with the likes of Drake, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj and where it seems as though he is living a glamorous lifestyle, he has been open about his heritage and faith from the very beginning. Khaled Mohamed Khaled is American – Palestinian and often shares videos of his son listening to the Muslim call for prayer, whilst also explaining that he reads Q’uran and prays daily. Khaled also revealed to GQ Middle East that he is often touring during the holy month but doesn’t always observe his fasts, "I’ll be honest with you, many Ramadan times, I’ll fast, and then I get dehydrated and have to go to the hospital. Just because I work so hard. I try my hardest to fulfil the beliefs and how beautiful what we fast for is. It’s so beautiful, what we’re doing it for."
