The best way I can describe Ramadan to non-Muslims is if we celebrated Thanksgiving for an entire month.
Despite the fact that we don’t eat for 16 hours, we like to break our fast with Ramadan-only food. (it’s extra special since we don’t eat like this all year round)
I feel so blessed and lucky to be able to spend everyday with my family and enjoy the food that we all make together.
Oh and the dates!
I am sure every family has their own Ramadan specific meals, but here is a sample of what my family usually eats: the best part is that we usually have family and friends over on most nights to share the meal with.
Pakora
Potato Curry
Stuffed Shells- my contribution to the meal. My dad called them imitation lasagna!
Chicken curry
And fruit salad number #1
We also make a fruit punch+ sorbet type drink- my sister is usually in charge of that.
Some eggrolls
Fruit salad #2
With pound cake and custard.
After fasting for 16 hours, I am usually full after a bite or two, so a meal like this will last for a few days!
I have to be the only person that GAINS weight during Ramadan. My metabolism is not happy. However this is not the month to be worried about the scale.
http://www.someecards.com/ramadan-cards/ramadan-fast-holiday-muslim-binge-eating
Bahahah!
Thanks for sharing your family’s traditions. I’m especially intrigued by athletes who observe Ramadan (like these Olympians: http://www.npr.org/2012/07/20/157070809/olympians-dilemma-starve-my-soul-for-ramadan ).
All cultures are so cool! I am not positive about this but you can abstain from fasting if you are the main breadwinner and have a physically demanding job.
Hi Sana! Just in case you don’t remember me, I’m the one who has a business named Sana Direct because Sana means healthy (in latin). :D Mens sana in corpore sana (a healthy mind in a healthy body).
Could you please explain ramadan? I don’t understand the purpose or meaning of it. I could Google, I suppose, but so much better to get it from ‘the source’. I will subscribe to your comments so I don’t miss your reply. xx.
I love the name of your business! I will def have to check out your site :)
I will be happy to tell you more about Ramadan:
Ramadan is the Muslim holy month where for 16 hours a day (sunrise to sun set) we abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse. So we wake up at 3:50am to eat and break our fast around 8:30pm.
Usually we have friends and family members over in the evening to break our fast with and also are required to do some sort of charity work.
Additionally, those who can’t fast for medical/ work reasons are not required to fast and can instead donate time or money to charity.
The fasting is a self- sacrifice so we can be more empathetic towards those people who don’t have any food at all. Obviously we have food at the end of the day so we also donate food to those who don’t have any.
I hope this answers your question! Feel free to ask anything else!
That is such a helpful breakdown! I work with a few people observing Ramadan and they didn’t explain it as well as you! :)
Np! It’s not super complicated- idk why people are weird about it.
mashallah!!! the foor is mouth-watering (it is still day-time here)!
But i just wanted to add on to what you said.
That muslims fast not only for empathy with the poor, but also as practice for resisting temptation, like food, for learning to be be patient and for self-descipline.
And that sexual is allowed at night, after the sun had set and our fasts broken.
:)
Thank you for commenting and you are absolutely corrrct I was trying not to blab on and on about religious meaning and stick to the basics.
Oh man – If I wasn’t craving Indian food bad enough yesterday, I *realllly* am now!!
Wish I could have you over for dinner :)
That’s so interesting and I love the last SomeCard!
Sana,
I have a friend celebrating Ramadan. I found your blog and posted this page. Everything looks delicious. May there be peace and laughter at your table. God bless, and Ramadan Mubarak.
Will
Hi Will thank you for commenting, where did you post my blog?
Thanks for reading!