Blogbook

Ramadan in Quarantine: during Ramadan, Muslims usually come together to celebrate the Quran. The pandemic has derailed that. Video excerpt:

During Ramadan, Muslims come together to pray, fast, and celebrate the Quran. This year, for the first time in history, Ramadan is being observed in isolation—no mosque, no extended family gatherings, and no traditional Eid celebration.

Sherihan Moustafa, 33, is a Brooklyn-based mother of six and a devout Muslim. She’s also an entrepreneur; her company, Urban Modesty, caters specifically to trendy, modest clothing for Muslim-Americans.

In a new short documentary from The Atlantic, Moustafa and her family explain the challenges of practicing Ramadan during a pandemic. “It’s a test,” she says. “It’s a difficult time to be a mom or to have a business, or any of that. But there are a lot of people that are far worse off.”

Besides, she says, “Ramadan also teaches you to be grateful for everything you have.”

13th by Ava DuVernay has been put online in full for free by Netflix for anyone who wants to watch! It’s about mass incarceration in USA.

Coronavirus and animals: why tigers can catch the coronavirus but your dog will probably be fine — a vox explainer about the virus.

Dear Class of 2020 was a four hour YouTube special featuring commencement speeches from the Obamas, Lady Gaga, BTS, and other celebrities. Via Rolling Stone:

Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, BTS, Michelle and Barack Obama and many more will deliver commencement speeches and congratulations to graduates as part of YouTube’s “Dear Class of 2020,” beginning Sunday at 3 p.m. EST.

The four-hour special will also feature appearances by artists like Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, Alicia Keys, Shawn Mendes, Jennifer Lopez, Finneas, Katy Pery and Demi Lovato, actors like Seth Rogen, Chris Pine, Jack Black and John Mulaney, the cast of The Simpsons and Schitt’s Creek, Jimmy Kimmel, Condoleezza Rice and more. BTS will also close out the special with a performance.

Cooking fish tamales, an ancient Mexican recipe. Via Eater:

Xochimilco’s floating gardens, also known as Chinampas, are ancient Mesoamerican agriculture systems used by the Aztecs. Beatriz Rangel Nuñez and her family have farmed produce from the floating gardens to sell in the markets of Mexico City for generations. Here, she shows us how she makes fish tamales, milpa soup, and purslane in green tomatillo salsa, all over an open fire, using fresh produce from the rich floating gardens.

The MV for Daechwita, from the debut mixtape by Agus D / Suga (Min Yoon-gi) of BTS, is a gorgeous meeting of medieval Korea and the new.

In Leon by the Atlantic, Leon Ford discusses what it’s like to survive being shot five times by the police in Pittsburg during a routine traffic stop.

Grandpa’s Reef: 360º video from National Geographic, where a young girl from the Philippines takes up her grandfather’s lifelong pursuit of protecting an endangered coral reef. Inspired by true stories.

1460 is a Black Mirror-esque short film where two men are on their way back after a 4 year mission in space, only for one to learn a disturbing secret.

Starship watchlist: The Old Guard, an upcoming Netflix action film starring Charlize Theron, featuring mercenaries who can’t be killed.