Childhood and Ramadan

As I grew up, I was captivated by the idea of Ramadan - an entire month where people return home early, share meals together, and spend quality time with each other and God. I distinctly remember waking up for sehri and eagerly waiting for everyone to open the gate to the roof where we would all gather for sehri. Later in the day, returning home from school, I would find a table adorned with delicious-looking food, ready for iftar. This was my favorite time of the month - peaceful, tranquil, and soothing. But what truly captivated me was the aura of spirituality that enveloped everyone - the quiet prayers, Quran recitation, and taraweeh, all performed with a sense of calm and serenity. I, too, wanted to be part of this beautiful practice, even if only as an observer.

Every Ramadan, the community iftar was an event that involved me. It was an unspoken rule in our society that one house had to provide iftar for the entire street at least once (for those who could). I would eagerly wait for this day, preparing for the time when they will go out to distribute it, lining up boxes on the table, and filling them with snacks that were usually part of iftar. Counting boxes, arranging and naming them in order of the houses, I would immerse myself in the task with great enthusiasm. This event was one of the highlights of Ramadan for me, as everyone came together, pitching in doing their part . Even today, it has become a tradition to prepare iftari at home and distribute it to our neighbors.

Another favorite tradition during Ramadan/Eid was making a trip to the nearest mall to gather clothes, toys, and other items for the children of our maids. As a child, I used to think that these practices were solely for the sake of giving. However, as I grew older, I realized that they instilled in me a sense of compassion and empathy that I hope to carry with me for the rest of my life. These practices allowed me to re-imagine the sense of joy and fulfillment that I felt as a child, and I hope to continue these traditions for years to come.