Being born and raised in a Muslim family, Ramadan had always played a big role in my life. Ramadan doesn’t just mean the month of fasting, it also means to purify myself, being disciplined, learning to try to be a better person. Not to mention, Ramadan also means a lot of good food and drinks (non-alcoholic) and new clothes.
It’s the first day of Ramadan today. Many parts of the world have already completed their first day of the month, whereas in the USA, we have just started the day.
Happy Ramadan, everyone, who are celebrating the month!
Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan in Bangladesh used to be a huge deal for us. The entire month used to be festive with extra prayers. Starting from the beginning of the fasting, at the sehri aka suhoor, with delicious food, till the breaking of the fast aka iftar with more delicious food, fruits and drinks would make me feel how fortunate we are. The tarabih praying session with all the women of the house would be fun too. The long 20 sit ups of the prayer would never seem so long. Shorter working hours, longer prayers, waking up before dawn used to be the norms during Ramadan.
Ever since I have moved to the USA, Ramadan doesn’t seem so much fun anymore. The delicious sehri is replaced with oatmeal, the mouthwatering iftar is replaced with simple and light dinner. The drinks are replaced with water. The only thing that is still common between Bangladesh and USA iftar is the dates. In fact, we get better dates here that we consider to be a ritual to eat when we break our fast.
However, there is no compromises on the working hours here, not enough time for praying long Tarabih in the evening, I can’t even manage time for reciting the Quran anymore. Every year when my family and friends share their photos or stories of iftar or sehri or the other religious rituals or festivities, I tell myself, this is the price we pay for living in a foreign country. A minor thing. Life is still sweet and I am fortunate to have one.
So, tell me how do you practice or perform your religious rituals if you are living in a different country? Do you find it more fun and appealing or do you think the same in your country is much better? Share your experience of your religious festivities (if you perform or celebrate any) in a foreign country.
In your dish, I see some similarities with Iran, for example we also eat Jalebi and Bamiyeh (Tulumba). We have vegetables and watermelon in Iftar table and we try to eat more healthy to be able to fast.
Please keep me in your prayers as well.
