Ramadan

Ramadan in a Muslim country is a great experience not only for Muslims, but for other people as well .
It helps to understand both the culture and the religion .
It is of course also a very commercial event, same as it happens in the West with Christmas and new year's eve, but it keeps more its spiritual level .

First of all it is an event which evolves around family .
It is a time when people are together, not only for iftar (meal after sunset) or suhor (pre-dawn meal), but also during day , to spend more time with other members of the family and to teach children the Quranic meanings and recitation .
The fact that work places are closed in the afternoon, that makes the fasting easier, but it is actually so long that people are accustomed to it, that they could fast also at full rythm .
Children are required to fast when ready, but I met many who started since very early age .
These same children have already learned by heart the entire Quran by the age of 4 or 5 .
Recitation is something very easy for Arabs .

Usually food related shops are closed during day times and expats are asked not to eat in public .
They just close the doors of the office during break .
I am speaking of most Gulf countries .
Not sure if in Saudi Arabia, which is supposed to be very orthodox on such subjects, it is the same .
As I am a Muslim myself, I've been discussing this matter several times with other brothers and sisters, whether allowing restaurants or coffee shops to stay open for non Muslims .
And we came to the conclusion, that it wouldn't make such a difference to us .
Fasting is a state of mind and heart, a religious duty we do love to fullfill for God's pleasure .
We wouldn't be upset to see people eating in front of us, which is what happens here in the West anyway .
But I think this rule was made as a sign of respect toward Allah and the holy month .

To be completely honest, nowadays Ramadan lost somehow its spiritual dimension .
At least ten days before its start, families runs to supermarkets to buy tons of food : rice, sugar, meat .
Tables are full and nothing is wasted .
Much of it, is given to charities and to people who come at the door .
Charity is the most important part of fasting .
It helps purification from sins and opens the doors for God's forgiveness .
Also night cycles have changed .
Many people prefer to go malls or to gym, or also to watch Ramadan soaps rather then joining fellow Muslims at the mosque for night prayer .
Yet they remain attached to their duties to God .

Now that I am back to Europe, my Ramadan is a little bit sad .
I am all alone here .
Waking up in the morning or breaking up the fast alone with junk food, makes it feel less meaningful .
I know it is my fault and I should try something to fix it as we can be full Muslims everywhere .
But up to now I haven't found the solution yet .
Inshallah things will change .
Inshallah , God willing .