I just love celebrations. Since childhood, I have seen my parents celebrating the occasions and events and also told us about the importance and how to be happy and enjoy each and every moment with the family. Now, when I am grown up, I just think about the past days, it feels so good. Whether it is birthdays, anniversaries, national events or any festival, I enjoy each and every moment of it with family and friends. Thanks to my parents for letting me know the importance of celebrations, it makes the bond stronger and with happiness, increases love for each other.
As this is the month of Ramadan, I would like to share some of my experience and facts about this month. Honestly speaking, couple of days before this month start, the energy level automatically increases and there is a unique feeling which is hard to explain. I think almost everyone knows that this is the month when Muslim do fasting and spend most of the time in praying and asking forgiveness, trying to improve own character and turning into a good human being.
my nephew, picture taken by my Father through Samsung S6
Things keeps on changing, when I was young I mean I was in school or college, Ramadan were totally different, I used to spend more time in prayers and reciting, competition with siblings. But now, when I have a job, the best thing in Ramadan for me is reduce of working hours lol well most of us won’t accept this but that’s the fact. I spend most of my time in sleeping. On the other hand, I have noticed that people in my country used to change a lot just for this month which is a good sign, at least they have fear of God lol.
Too much of charity, welfare and other religious organizations work hard and make sure to spread and provide food to the needy ones. This is not an easy task but we just hope that actual and genuine people gets the funds and charity items. We celebrate Ramadan and enjoy doing such good deeds in this holy month.
Now, let’s talk about the essence of Ramadan that is Sehri (Suhoor) and Iftari (breaking the fast). In Pakistan, Pheni and Khajla are the lifeblood of Sehri. Pakore and Sharbat (Red Sweet Drink) are the soul of Iftar. Pheni and Kajla are dipped and mixed with milk however, I am not very fond of it but it’s very famous all over Pakistan. I love the different kinds of Pakoras and chilled Rooh afza (Red Sweet Drink) in Iftar. We used to have those snacks in this month which we don’t eat whole year so, the excitement and happiness at the time of Iftar is out of this world. After avoiding eating and drinking for almost 14-15 hours, the time of Iftar just makes you super crazy, waiting for the Adhan, this precious time gives you so much of happiness and improves your patience level.
There are couple of Iftari plans with friends, always tough to decide which restaurant or spot to choose. The reality is when you eat couple of snacks and glass of water in Iftari, that is enough for an hour or so. If you are with friends outside having iftari, that is just wasting money, you wont be able to enjoy the food. This is just my opinion. Still I have to join friends in Iftari or Sehri as these are the celebrations which cannot be avoided however, I prefer both the things to be at home which is more convenient and suitable for me.
After a month of fasting, then we all have a big celebration time i.e. Eid. This day is specially for the ones who did fasting and practice whole month with full heart, spend time in helping humanity. Now, its time to celebrate your hard work with new cloths on, clean and tidy, perform prayers which is thanking god for everything and then spending time with family and friends. We used to attend our community events in Eid holidays so there is only first day for me to enjoy with family and night with friends. Second day, we leave for the event but this time it would be different because I didn’t get off from work. Will plan to visit in laws and close relatives in second and third day of Eid.
The best part of Eid is EIDI. It is the gift in terms of money mostly, given to children or can say youngers by the elders. I am lucky being the youngest in the family so I still get Eidi from everyone. I love to watch kids trying hard and convincing elders to give more and more Eidi. For Eid day, all shopping is done by my Mother in advance even before the Ramadan starts. Shopping is worst thing to do in Ramadan, too much of crowd, hate it.
Special food on Eid day is Sheer khorma and Kachori. But I don’t eat both of these, I just like to eat sweets on this day. Eid is the medium to connect with relatives, old friends. Life is too busy and I don’t get much time to visit relatives or old friends but on Eid, we usually visit those relatives and friends so it feels good to see them after a long time, you can say once a year. Thanks to Eid.