Ramadan

This morning, at sunrise, marked the first official day of Ramadan (or Ramazan as they pronounce it here). Ramadan is the nine month in the Islamic calendar, where for 30 days, from sun-up to sun-down practicing Muslims will fast. This means that nothing passes your lips. No food, water, gum, nothing. Though as I mentioned in an earlier post, it is difficult to recognize who here is a practicing Muslim (as scarves are not as common as one might expect on the females), Ramadan will be a clearer indication of who is and is not.

In my host family, both Nurdan and Tömar will be fasting, along with their maids, chef, and gardener. Oh, and me as well. I told my family that though I certainly wouldn’t last the full 30 days, as I leave for Greece in 10 (time has flown I know), that I would try it at least for the first few days. How long this lasts depends on how much my body rejects me. But I figure, while in Rome, do as the Romans…though my host parents are certainly surprised at my willingness to try Ramadan, they are certainly appreciative, as I have convinced Miray to partake at least for the first few days as well.

From what I have gathered through a bit of reading and what my family here has told me, Ramadan is a chance to practice controlling your mind, and ridding it of those things unnecessary. Though I would beg to differ that food is not necessary, once you remove food from your day, you begin to think about little else but those things that truly matter. So I suppose they have a point. Muslims are expected to strengthen their relationship with Allah during this time, through both an increase in prayer as well as more time consciously spent considering one’s spirituality. There are plenty of people who are exempt from Ramadan, including the very young and old, the ill, and the pregnant to name a few.

Also, something unique about Ramadan is that as it follows the Islamic calendar (not our Western version) the date of Ramadan changes every year. It is ten days earlier as every year passes. This means that for the next 6 years or so, Ramadan will be during the summer, making it far harder than the winter. Not only are the days longer in the summer, but the heat as you can imagine, puts a toll on one’s ability to refuse water.

At sun-down there are generally large celebrations filled with family, friends, and food. I am sure that for the next ten days I will meet a whole array of new people. During the evening meal, first an assortment of breakfast dishes are served followed by more traditional luncheon and dinner cuisines. Therefore, despite what your favorite meal may be, you won’t have to sacrifice it during Ramadan. Also, just before sun-rise the family also gets up to eat something before the forbidden hour begins so in case one’s favorite foods are offered at the evening meal, they will be readily available at 4:00am.