Esther Brady Crawford - faintstarlite

So today is the second day of Ramadan. I feel so priviledged to spend the whole month in a Muslim country experiencing this unique time of year. There really isn’t anything to compare it to in the states – its in its own category.  

Whether or not you’re a Muslim you’re not to be seen smoking, drinking (anything), or eating during daylight hours. Last night, being the first night, there was a strange kind of quietness throughout the whole city that is indescribable.

Before I came I had decided to try and do the fast with my host family, but I didn’t realize what it would mean to them. They were really shocked yesterday when I fasted , and when it came time for the breaking of the fast at sundown Nisreen kept saying how proud of me she was.

I didn’t think it would be that hard – and thankfully since its October and there isn’t a whole lot of daylight hours it’s not too bad. The toughest part is going to be not drinking any water in such a dry climate. There are a lot of exceptions for not fasting, like being pregnant, laborer, sick, traveling, etc – but you’re expected to make it up because its one of the 5 pillars that Muslims are required to do. My mom Nisreen explained that on Judgment Day you will be judged on your works – beginning with the pillars of Islam .. if your good works don’t override your bad works, then to hell you go. It was a good conversation because we got to talk about the law vs. grace and what the implications are of trying to obtain perfection in this life.

Anyways, back to Ramadan. Being the first day of the fast of course I end up at a brunch with the staff from the company here. I’m talking they had every good American breakfast food known to mankind that doesn’t exist in the Mid. East! Biscuits and gravy! Bacon! Pumpkin Pie!..the whole works.. but I consoled myself by bringing a piece of pie home, which I ate around 5am this morning (just before sunrise). My first attempt at pie that early, and let me tell you – it tastes just as good as I thought it would.

I feel like Ramadan is going to be good – I’ll be able to connect on a different level with the other people around me and in my family here. Its something I’m thinking about doing next year when I’m back on campus. I figure there are probably special clubs/events set up for the students who fast and it’d be a great way to meet them and practice Arabic, etc.

Bashufkum!