COVID-19

Ramadan, the holiest month for Muslims, is a little bit different this year for us. It’s marked noticeably by fasting from sunrise to sunset.

The day of Ramadan back in Syria, was spent a little bit differently. As usual, the day started off with the Suhoor, which is some type of breakfast that we eat so that we can get enough energy for the rest of the day. I woke up early in the morning to prepare our meal. Then, my kids and husband were woken up. After that, Adhan was called to inform us to begin our fasting till sunset.

My day began with preparing the Iftar meal. Traditionally, many friends and family members are invited to have the Iftar meal with us because that expresses the unity of the family and community. As well as, many activities were carried out by the family and the mosque for little kids to enjoy the spirit of the month, for instance, praying, and reading our holy book The Quran. By the end of the day, my energy was spent and I just wanted to go to bed. Also, I could not forget the charity and donations, which were distributed to people in need during the whole month, preparing food baskets and monetary donations, called Zakat meaning “to cleanse ones’ wealth,” which are mandatory if someone has saved enough money throughout the previous year.

Nowadays, Ramadan is different due to the COVD-19 pandemic, because families would usually gather at the Mosque in Charlottetown for a weekly potluck supper along with the smaller nightly Iftar, which is when we break our fasting. That’s why I can be really sad that we aren’t able to gather together to enjoy this special meal, so I am busy at home taking care of my little child Abd-Alrahman while his siblings help me to make our food.

Finally, we will be able to carry out Eid al-Fitr, a day of celebration, gifts and activities, which will take place on May 24, the day after Ramadan ends.