Joining hands in the month of giving
My 10-year-old niece came to me with a very excited smile and said: “I am so happy, Ramadan is coming!”
“What do you like most about Ramadan?” I asked her.
She replied: “Everyone will sit together to break the fast and pray together.” The child’s happiness lies in the togetherness of her family.
During Ramadan she sees her grandmother and aunts preparing delicacies from their adjacent houses, calling each other up and sharing recipes. The whole family gets together to listen to the Azaan (call to prayer), and breaks their fast with a date.
The children are excited to watch television to see the Dubai Police giving the gun salute to inform the public of iftar. Little children would then rush to lay the prayer mats neatly and my grandfather would lead the prayers. The youngest member of the family insists on standing next to her grandfather on her prayer mat.
When I think back to my own childhood in Kerala, South India, I recall feeling the same excitement. I had friends from other religions who observed the fast with their Muslim classmates. Throughout the day my parents would receive people, listen patiently and give alms and good advice. My grandmother would prepare the traditional food. My sister and I were very happy to walk with our goodies to our neighbour’s houses. My mother would tell us how simple Ramadan was for her and that the only new dress in the year would be bought for Eid.
Our grandmother would tell us stories of how during her childhood the women used to wake up at dawn and start preparations for the day of fasting. During the evening prayers in the mosque, us children would get excited and our elders would give us strict glances, which would sober us down. Throughout the years, Ramadan has changed. People no longer need to prepare everything at home. Delicacies can be ordered online.
Clothes and gifts are not just bought during Eid, but rather people shop throughout the month. But one thing remains the same: Ramadan is about giving. It is the opportunity to give alms, food and happiness to all around us. Let’s not waste money on frivolous matters and give to those in need. There are people suffering, let’s not forget them. Let us make it truly a month of giving.