In a world where Muslims are being increasingly associated with religious extremism by virtue of their faith, Sana Ullah, an American-Bangladeshi based in Florida decided to do her bit to change this perception.
In January 2015, she started the 'Places You'll Pray' project, an initiative which captures Muslims observing 'salah' or their daily prayer in public spaces. And thanks to social media, the trend was quick to catch on and became a hashtag. It features pictures from all over the world, of young American Muslims performing their their daily prayers at various public places - beaches, libraries, restaurants and roadsides to name a few.
The photos are available on Sana's Instagram page 'placesyoullpray'.
"With this project., I want to encourage the public (Muslim and non-Muslim alike) to have educated, open-minded discussions about Islam, Muslims, identity, and spirituality,” Sana told TNM.
Sana also wants to highlight with this series a side of Muslims that is rarely covered in the media. “(The) majority of Muslims are not the evil that hurts this world and its people on it, but rather Muslims (are) constantly taught to love it sincerely and find peace with themselves five times a day,” she told Buzzfeed in an interview.
Here are a few of the photos:
Seen praying by the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. Photo shared by @sleazy_s
A worker praying the Isha (evening prayer) in a warehouse in Manama, Bahrain. Photo shared by @f_algosaibi
Seen praying in the Kew Gardens of southwest London, England. Photo shared by @andala_j
Seen praying for her first time in public on a parking lot in Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore. Photo shared by @s_adnin
Seen praying in Petra, Jordan. Photo shared by @yasinv
Seen praying in Riad Imsouane, Morocco. Photo shared by @hksiddiqui
Seen praying at a gas station in Clewiston, Florida after leaving a farm on Sunday, September 12, 2016: Eid Ul Adha
Seen praying at the top of Forest Falls in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Photo shared by @zaakirahvadi
Fisherman seen praying in his boat in Bangladesh. Photo shared by @naturalbangladesh
Seen praying in Jateng, Indonesia. Photo shared by @ulil_usrock