- R is for Ramadan, the month of fasting for 1.6 billion Muslims around the world. Fasting means no food or drink between sunrise and sunset. We will be three days into the double whammy of starvation and sleep deprivation when the longest day of the year, June 21, hits. That’s 18 hours without food or drink. Not that I’m counting.
- A is for Appetizers, also known as iftar. One of the advantages of living in Markham is the diversity of my neighbours. Arab, African or South Asian, we all have one thing in common — a tradition of sharing snacky appetizers during Ramadan. Several times a week my doorbell rings and a neighbour, often someone I’ve never spoken to, will be standing on my doorstep grinning (or scowling, if their surly teenager has been enlisted for the chore) with a plastic plate brimming with kebabs, spring rolls, fruit chaat, chocolate cupcakes, tandoori chicken, hamburgers, potato salad, or haleem. Which is awesome. Except for when it’s time to reciprocate.
My mother taught me never to return a dish (even a plastic one) empty. Let the frying of frozen samosas begin.
- M is for Mosques, which overflow during this month of fasting, prayer, and contemplation. Muslims are encouraged to do extra good during Ramadan, both for themselves and others. Charity has the added bonus of getting our minds off the Food Network. Two such initiatives are “Ramadan Sammich” and “30 days.” In addition, most mosques offer free dinners every day, all month long.
- A is for Act of Will. I started fasting regularly in junior high. My teachers tried to hide their horror when I told them I hadn’t eaten since 4 a.m. “Your religion forces you to do this every year for an entire month?” they asked with concern. I put on my patient-offspring-of-an-immigrant face and asked to go home early. I work with what I’m given.
Fasting requires a conscious effort; it is a sincere act of will. Purposeful starvation is pointless without it. For me, the point has always been gratitude.
I live a comfortable life. My blessings are plentiful and very ordinary. Eleven months of the year I stay in my bubble. For this one month, while I deny my body its most basic fuel, I’m reminded of all I take for granted. I’m especially grateful to experience real hunger — that gnawing exhaustion, the overwhelming relief when I break my fast. You should try it. Food never tasted so good.
- D is for Diet. The No. 1 question I’m asked about fasting is: “Do you lose any weight?” Sadly, no. This might have something to do with my fondness for deep fried everything. My husband claims to lose 10 pounds every year, but it doesn’t count because he gains it all back (hah!).
The GTA Muslim community is bracing for the longest, hottest Ramadan in 33 years. We have the lunar calendar to thank for Ramadan’s slow meandering through the seasons. Recipes for long-lasting super foods are swapped like celebrity gossip. In my experience, nothing can keep you full the entire day. Hunger is the point.
Still, fasting Muslims have to eat something for the early morning meal. Some popular choices include steel-cut oatmeal, eggs, almonds, hummus and smoothies.
- A is for “All Hands on Deck.” Ramadan is a family experience, a time to bond, eat dinner and breakfast together, pray together, celebrate together. This can get a little intense, so we all work to our strengths. For instance, my husband swears that fasting makes him more energized. Last Ramadan he cleaned and painted our garage in 30C-plus heat. Most days, he wakes me up for the pre-dawn meal, after first cooking our breakfast.
I manage the Ramadan entertainment — keeping our non-fasting kids busy. We do arts and crafts, decorate the house, and tell traditional stories. Sometimes they do “practice fasts”: they fast until lunch, or late afternoon, or whenever they decide to crack. Lucky brats.
- N is for No Sleep. One of the unique things about Ramadan is the way it completely messes with your schedule. Breakfast at 3 a.m.! Dinner at 9 p.m.! Eat both meals with your family! Also, maintain eye contact while you pass around the dates and chicken tikka! In some countries, the fasting population becomes completely nocturnal. This defeats the purpose. The point of fasting is to continue with your daily routine. It’s a chance to practise being the best version of yourself, not the hangriest.
- The morning meal is called suhoor, and it’s only morning if you keep morning radio host hours. This has given rise to a summer fasting trend: the suhoor party! Since the nights are so short, why not stay up? These Ramadan Party Animals often meet at the mosque for night prayers before they hit the town, drinking non-alcoholic champagne, their Muslim gospel music turned way up. Some halal restaurants even alter their hours to accommodate the revellers.
I have yet to be invited to one of these parties. Not that I’m bitter or anything.
So if someone rings your doorbell with a plate of food and a smile, or you’re wondering why the local halal pizza joint is open at 3 a.m., or if someone hands you a sandwich around sunset, now you know why. It only happens once a year, so just roll with it. Happy Ramadan!
