Ramadan Once Again. Thanks Almighty for giving me another opportunity of earning as much blessings of this holy month of Ramadan, 1430 H.
It is unbelievable that far from family and friends, I am going to spend my third Ramdan, this holy month in Holland, where it doesn’t seem like a holy month. Though there are quite big number of Muslims, Morrocan and Turkish, still it does not feel like a Ramadan. Ramadan in Pakistan where 97% of population is Muslims would be different than in Holland ofcourse. After coming to Holland, I spent my first Ramadan in Amsterdam. I did offer prayers punctually but didnt offer Taraweeh punctually. This is going to be my second Ramadan in Tilburg. Though last year, i hardly offered Taraweeh (maybe 10 days) and hardly recited the Holy Quran, except afew chapters. This time I plan to try to offer all the Salat and Taraweeh and also recite all the chapters of Holy Quran and would try to read translation of as many chapters as I can.
This time Ramadan started from Saturday 22nd August, 2009. The timings on first fast are from 05:00 to 20:53 and which is around 16 hours. This will reduce to 06:00 to 19:50 which is around 14 hours. Though its a long fast, it is not difficult because it is not as warm/hot as in Pakistan like Larkana or Lahore. So it is quite bearable.
Fasting day is a bit different than a usual day here. I atleast don’t cook on Sehri, just eat what is leftover of yesterday evening or eat yoghurt with some fruit, three slices of bread with Shami Kebab, a cup of milk and before the sehri time is over I would prefer to have a cup of Cappuccino coffee. For Iftaar, I do it with some Pakoras (Potatos, Aubergine (Egg Plant), or mix of chopped onions, potatoes, and some green chillies), sometimes Chola Chart, some Salan (either chicken or vegetable) and one Shami Kebab (either Daal or Qeema (minced meat)).
Eid is not a fascinating day here as We all, away from homes, miss our families. To me Eid is a festival to be celebrated with family and friends. Here are friends but the ambience is not Eid like. Here people, esp. Turks, call Eid-ul-Fitr as Sugar Festival. On this day, in the Center or Downtown, you will find some children fun playgames, shops etc., to enjoy. For us, it is to go offer prayers, if somebody invites for some gathering go to his/her place and have a nice gathering and back to work in University. It is completely different experience.
I hope this time we can arrange something very good which makes our Eid better here. I miss all my family very much, I wish I can celebrate the next Ramadan back in Pakistan InshaAllah.
