When Things Go Wrong As They Sometimes Will...

This Ramadan, I was strong-willed to make good use of the month. Besides the extra prayers that I was offering  to the Almighty in appreciation for the  bountiful resources and blessings that he has had showered on all of us: me, you and everyone. I was also determined  to make use of Ramadan - which also relates to fasting, to reduce some of those extra fat from my body. A strategy was firmly set to do some exercises, to burn off those huge amount of calories that was going to be shoveled into my mouth at the time of breaking the fast. With  great strength of mind (so I thought) I wrote down in my notepad the list of items ‘to do’ that would help me keep in shape. And the first entry in the list was  ‘eat less fried food’. Did I abide by my rules? I didn’t think so. The foremost reason was due to the food that I kept preparing for the family to feast at the end of each fast (iftar) which was a daily occurrence during sunset. While preparing the food for iftar, I would be persistent which food would be shoved into my mouth and which wouldnt. But all those became momentary, when I sat with the rest of my family to break our fast. Who wouldn't take pleasure in eating the 'hot hot’ samosas, and the mouth-watering  crispy pastries or the spicy rice porridge that  bubbled  in the pot. I just couldn’t resist. And the plan to do some ‘work out’ didn't go well either: the mere thought of running on the treadmill made me go weak at the knees.

Happy Eid

Wishing all my Muslim readers a joyous Eid-Ul-Fitr. This is a happy occasion which is celebrated just after the ending of Ramadan.  

Ramadan In Saudi Arabia

I haven’t been updating my blog recently. It’s Ramadan, the month of fasting. The month where we tend to pray more and ask the Al mighty for forgiveness. Muslims all over the world abstain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. This act is obligatory towards all muslims irrespective of caste whether rich or poor. Every day, right through this month, millions of people who are fasting, do exactly the same thing, when  the call for magreb prayer (sun set prayer) is heard. Families gather around the table to break their fast. Only after the initial consumption of dates and water that the other meals are served. During this month the rich do a lot of charitable work. According to a local newspaper, the Saudi Gazette, a million worshippers are served everyday, with – yogurt, dates, and Saudi coffee for iftar (breaking of fast). More than 10,000 citizens and local residents bring the food into the mosque on small carts. Zamzam water is distributed to the congregation from water coolers. Zamzam is the name of the sacred well in the holy city that supply the water to billions of people. For worshippers from across the globe, to break their fast in the two holiest mosques in Saudi Arabia is a great experience. They are fortunate to experience this one of a kind moment.

Photo source: Arab News

Muslims across the globe break their fast with  dates (fruit grown on palm trees)

Of Sons, Buns And What Not....

My children are still on holiday. School reopens here ( Saudi Arabia ) after the Ramadan.Ramadan,is the month in which the Muslims refrain from eating and drinking, from dawn till evening.As it is considered the holiest month for the Muslims, we take extra time to pray and read the Quran ( our holy book ).And thats the main reason for being away from the computer.

Even though I had decided to lay my hands off the computer for a while ,I cannot resist ranting about the excitement happening in my house . My two young sons are fasting,with a lot of motivation and support from the daughters, who have been duly following the one month obligatory ‘fast ‘, since the last few years ,And it’s wonderful to see the two girls encouraging. The children are keeping me fully occupied making me prepare their favourite food for iftar. ( the time to break the fast). Hence the other reason for the short break from cybernet.

My husband and I didn’t strictly impose on our sons to fast , as its not advisable at this age and as also children under the age of puberty are exempted from fasting.It took all of us by surprise at their endeavour. May God accept their fasts …

From the beginning of Ramadan ,I have tried my hands at various recipes . Even though sometimes it doesn’t exactly turn out as I like them to, I am happy that I did try. Until quite recently , the buns that I made never raised but hunched into disastrous flops.. But all of it changed this Ramadan, watching Jamie Oliver demonstrate the recipe for bread dough on the cookery channel. I seized the opportunity to follow the instructions carefully. From that time on I have been happy with my baking . Furthermore every one is enjoying ! Hurrah!! to Jamie Oliver and to the buns!

Another much preferred I made this time for Ramadan is - a dish with pasta and meat , topped with cheese . I have still not given this dish a name ,So my children call it ‘Mama’s Macoroni’. In fact , most of the time, I do make something with pasta, because the children love it, But this is one favourite that I enjoy cooking, even though it takes a lot of my time and effort. I make an attempt to try out various recipes, to satiate my family’s taste buds..And silently , I blush when I get a rating from my children, my  best culinary critic .

Ramadan: The Holy Month

Ramadan, has approached again, this is considered the holy month for muslims all over the world. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calender. Fasting during this holy month teaches muslims modesty, patience and spirituality. Muslims throughout the world fast for the sake of Allah and offer prayers more than usual. People abstain from eating and drinking between dawn and sunset, They refrain from indulging in anything that is considered excessive and ill-natured.
Ramadan is the time to reflect our sins and ask for forgiveness from God, We pray for guidance, to refrain from evil and bad deeds. This is also the time to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen bonds with family and friends, do away with all things that are bad: basically to cleanse our lives and our cluttered minds.
Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline and self-control, show empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging acts of generosity and charity. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood , many children attempt to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life.
Besides engaging in prayer and spiritual reflection, the evenings are spent with family and close friends partaking meals. In many Muslim countries, markets and shops close down in the evening to enable people to perform prayers and consume the Iftar meal –(the evening meal eaten when muslims break fast,) These markets then re-open and stay open way past midnight and till the time of suhoor: the meal taken before sunrise.
The Holy month of Ramadan is a time for fervent and devoted prayer, and the rewards and blessings associated with it are multipled. Thus by fasting Muslims feel a closeness to God.