What an exiciting month to come every year. We are waiting for it and even right after it finish we miss it so badly and we feel so sad.
While the Eid 2022 just ended, wanted to share how ramadan and eid starts and goes in Saudi Arabia, Jeddah.
The decorating ritual starts arround all city shops, streets shopping malls lanterns and some cresent and star figures arround everywhere noticable. Women of Jeddah, starts to have their ramadan shopping particularly ramadan outfits such as long traditional dresses, home decor equipments like lights and coffee, snack utensils, new bukhoor and finally a big market shopping that includes many juices like “vimto” (a red berryful juice) tank and laban. And then shop for Most essential and famous food of ramadan “ Sambusak”. Sambusak is a triangle puff pastry sells as sheets and you can fill in with cheese, meat, chicken or vegetables and finally fry it. Women earlier before ramadan they prepare big amounts to store in freezer and cook before iftar. (Breaking fast)
Finally, the first day of Ramadan arrives Muslims wake up for Sahoor (having meal before after) and then their fasting starts until the maghrib prayer (evening prayer). During day time the city turns into calm and peacefull place. People usually prefers to stay indoor pray, read quran and have the most benefits from the holly month. Meanwhile all shops of country are closed until after Isha prayer (night time prayer) so this is another reason streets are empty except people that go to their works. (Here to note that also the working time during month of Ramadan usually halfy day)
The first Iftar evening, families prepre big iftar tables, they gather together and with joy they have their iftar alltogether.
Every evening there is special prayer for Ramadan at Mosques called Tarawih prayer. Tarawih Prayer is a special Prayer Muslims perform only in the month of Ramadan. It is a sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), which means that it was his practice to perform Tarawih and Muslims are encouraged to do likewise, but it is not obligatory. Men and women, kids and all go for Tarawih prayer together or they pray at their homes.
The days of ramadan follows in same way, visiting each other for iftar or having out somedays as many restaurants and hotels offers Iftar menu and buffets with the special atmosphere of ramadan.
Most precious advantage being in Saudi Arabia is that we can go to do Umrah easier than other muslims outside. Therefore Umrah visits have its maximum capacity during the holy month. Especially the Assumed date of Laylat al Qadar probably 27th of Ramadan, Masjid Al Haram reach its maximum capacity.
By reaching the day of Eid Al Fitr, we are leaving the year’s month of Ramadan behind which leaves in our hearts sadness and joy of reaching the eid as well.
Eid prepration takes the new place and all Ramadan atmosphere takes its place to joyful eid atmosphere. New shopping ritual for Eid clothes, eid gifts and eid shoppings starts.
First day of Eid, waking up for Eis Prayer at mosque one of the beautiful start of the eis day. People wear their eid clothes and go for prayer. Kids distrubutes candies to each other, women celebrates eid even if they dont know each other what a warm atmosphere to be…
Usually after eid prayer people gathers in Eid breakfast and folloing evening families start their eid visists to elders. Kids collects candy, gifts and money from elders.
Finally, what a special country to be during Ramadan and Eid. For sure all Muslim countries have their own way however most important is togetherness and remembering those in need. Where ever we are, who ever they are.
I wish we all reach more Ramadans and Eids to come…
Selen Ajinah
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