My Ramadan Memories: childhood Dairies
My earliest memories of Ramadan go back to my second or third grade year. But back then I remember Ramadan fell during winter, which meant fairly short days rather than the long burn of summer we’re experiencing today.
The fast day normally ended around 5.30 and by 6:30 we would have prayed Maghrib and I’m already settled in front of the TV for another hilarious dose of the American Comedy Show “ full house” and “wonder years” while munching on some Mama made Ramadan goodies.
But the old days Ramadan was so much different so much fun, well at least for me!.
Old days Ramadan wasn’t just about not eating and drinking forever! For us little folks it was more about motions. We awaited the month with lots of excitement and appreciated its gravity.
We spend the day playing between studying and playing football and watching Ramadan kid’s quiz shows on TV with my cousins. And when night fell over we celebrated our Iftar with relief and gratitude. Mom’s Knafa never tasted so good. (: it still does actually: P
There was a closeness I long to recapture.
There are other things I also remember from my childhood Ramadan (:
The subtle ache in my belly :P The memory of that first day of Ramadan sneaking in to the kitchen for a bite only to end up being caught by someone ( usually the elder females because they are fussing about the kitchen to make sure Iftar is ready and on time.
And then The excitement we little kids felt about accompanying our families to the Tarwahi prayers and all the other little things we enjoyed doing like setting the Iftar table every day. It felt a bit like it felt like my favorite TV show “Full House” were the table was set and the family ate together sharing jokes and laughing.
I took care of making the juices the napkins, setting out the table and distrusting plates and spoons to everyone It looked stupid but I loved it :P mom thought was ok tough (:
These were the memories that made my childhood Ramadan experiences I will never ever really forget.
And this is really the essential message of Ramadan, is to be thankful feeling pleasure after deprivation.
The sense that what I’m doing might not change the world, but if it changes me and my perspective of life then it’s good enough.
Now as an adult, I feel Ramadan is slowly losing its meaning, I have at times felt like it’s been capitalized, commercialized and deluded amid the demands of a capitalistic lifestyle.
Relationships and pressures are never the problem; living in a ‘non-Muslim’ country where it’s the exception to fast, not the norm, poses its share of challenges in the workplace.
But good news is as adults we still excited about Ramadan and talk about it with anticipation and expectations.
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My childhood memories of Ramadan are just as sweet and wonderful.I remember once when i was a young child,i insisted on fasting to my parents and then after Salaat Asr,i told mom that i'm really hungry! so she said to me "ok,that's enough for today!".They used to show America's funniest home videos on QTV (anyone remembers that?) and Fayeez Toush on Qatar Tv!.Mom still prepares delicious Ramadan goodies just as excellent as before.She's the best cook for me.Including following the elders to the Taraweeh prayers and salaat Qiyaam as well.Wonderful Ramadan memories.
What MN means when he says fasting in a workplace where the majority are non Muslims, and that too in a Non Muslim governed country where Muslims are a minority, has it's challenges. It certainly did for me, specially when I became a practicing Muslim. However by overcoming such challenges one not only feels a great sense of achievement but is also a reminder of the true meaning of Ramadhan, which I'd say is easier to forget or even take for granted, given the eases we have when fasting in a majority Muslim work environment, in a Muslim country, surrounded by Muslims.
Anyway nice write up.
MN what do you mean by this?
"Relationships and pressures are never the problem; living in a ‘non-Muslim’ country where it’s the exception to fast, not the norm, poses its share of challenges in the workplace."
Really are you talking from experience or just making a statement?
I can understand your emotions MN.Having stayed all my life in a 'Muslim' country,Saudi Arabia,Ramadan has its own essence.For me,it was about coming from school and seeing my dad at home(absolutely great!)Some days when myself n my brother didn't fast,we would come home n dad would heat rice with ghee on pan(I miss it so much!!) and then wait for AFV and cartoons to start.It was about going to taraweeh with my brothers.It was about sneaking in kitchen to eat pre-soaked almonds.It was about listening to my mom and dad reading Qura'an while myself and my brother recited too. It was about going to Umrah also.miss everything so much.But hoping to create beautiful Ramadan memories for my lil one
Ramadhan means something far more greater than what we took it to be as children and teenagers. But I must admit, come Ifthar, when all I have is a few dates and water, I do reminiscence over the great table laden with food..
TFS MN and all who share there stories here. A truly lovely post that brings back memories.
Ramadhan, just like other religious festivals, didn't have much religious significance to us as kids. Sure we fasted, that too despite going to a school where Muslims were a minority hence all our classmates would be stuffing their faces in full view of us and taunting us while doing so, but our fasting was very much a part of a celebration.We knew there would be a table laden with goodies to break our fast on, and that we could then spend the whole night feasting! And to top it all any kid, regardless of their faith, who fasted all 30 fasts would be rewarded with extra cash by my late Muslim uncle, so that was our incentive to make sure we fast all!
Tharawee? We had never heard of it!
Yup.. Childhood memories about Ramadan is something I would never forget.. I was 7 years old. My Mom used to cook for me and used to tell me "Darling fasting is not obligatory on you yet..you have to eat.." I used to tell my mom..ok mamma keep it I will eat later..then I used to put it back in fridge just get a name that I am a fasting kid :) though i was not aware of what/why etc..
Waking up early morning, going to rooftops with all my sisters ( I am the only bro) to feel the cool dawn breeze and see the early morning light slowly breaking darkness used to be amzing.. now life is very busy busy..
Ramadan kareem to u.
agree with you MN !
As an adult we still are excited about Ramadan and you might have notice the various recepies being posted these days in QL ! :)