Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

THE holy month of Ramadan is a serene period of contemplation bringing one closer to God. And in doing so, Saudis create a lifestyle like none other during the month. The country changes overnight and brings in a festive flavor to our lives. Ramadan gives a chance to millions of pilgrims and expats living in the Kingdom to experience and preserve the harmonious nature of the month.



Maghrib prayer ringing out across the city brings together thousands of people to mosques to break their fast together. Many youth-orientated support groups spread out across the city with water, dates and iftar meals to feed those in need and share the spirit of giving during Ramadan. In the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, millions, irrespective of class and creed, sit together at iftar time and eat together.



Muslims all over the world break their fast with water and dates, perform the Maghrib prayer, and sit down to iftar, with their families and communities.



Prayers, socializing and traditional meals mark nights in Ramadan. But then comes the lavish part or known as the modern “going out culture.”



Traditionally, Arab hospitality is at its prime during Ramadan as entire families reunite for a meal or sit together till suhoor.



Many women like men, pray taraweeh together at mosques. Lately, the lifestyle involves many families going out for after and suhoor with friends and family. Hotels and restaurants usually set up Ramadan themed tents and special menus that can range from SR100 to over SR300 a person.



Sarah Ahmad, a 30-year-old Saudi designer, said: “I go out every night with my friends and cousins either for suhoor or for iftar. But iftar is more of a family tradition that we have together with close family at home. After Isha prayer we head out and meet with everyone for coffee, desserts and sheesha. It’s usually late so it’s a perfect time for suhoor.”



Majid Mohammad, a 25-year-old Saudi banker, told Saudi Gazette: “I usually come home by five and head out to get after for my family. We usually get ful and tameez, samosas and Subya.



“Once a week I distribute iftar meals for people on the roads to help them break their fast during Maghrib prayer. At night after taraweeh prayers with my father and son, I head out with my male friends to a cafe where we have suhoor and watch a game on TV. I love it. It’s the most relaxed month in the year.”



According to some residents, Ramadan becomes more about entertainment and shopping than about spiritual growth.



Hala Iqbal, a 24-year-old Canadian national married to a Saudi, said: “The focus here is on going out and shopping. I mean people gain so much weight with the excess amount of food they order or buy to load at home. I mean they eat out most of the time, so what is the point of buying so much food to keep at home?



“The supermarkets are so crowded you would have thought we were about to go to war! However, I will admit that Ramadan is the best in Saudi Arabia because of the feeling attached to it here. No matter who it is, they always donate and give freely to charity. Nowhere in the world will you find people from all walks of life giving to the poor and helping out one another.”



Noor Ajmal, a Bangladeshi worker living in Jeddah, said: “Whenever I see the sight in Makkah where people donate huge amounts to feed the guests of God, I feel my heart swell with happiness and I pray for their well being.



Ramadan indeed is the month of compassion and giving. I usually have less working hours although we work till late instead but all my friends and cousins come together for iftar at our local mosque where Saudi men come and provide iftar everyday.



“It’s a great feeling to know you will never go hungry, Alhamdulah.”