30 Mosques in 30 Days: An American Trip

Day 26: Streamwood, Ill.
"The breaking of the fast, Iftar, at the Shi'a community reminded me of my mosque back in Houston, Texas," Bassam says. "There was a lot of biryani and chicken curry — and all of it was incredibly unapologetic with its spices." In this photo, Pakistani men talk as they eat their break-fast meal. "I couldn't make out what they were talking about," Bassam says, "but since they are Pakistani, I will guess it has to do with politics and how they dislike Zardari."

• For more photos and stories, visit the 30 Mosques project website