Pre Ramadan musings

Beautiful Ramadan nights

It was a very hot summer in Meerut and I was studying in Sophia convent. I must have been in class 8 and fairly interested in playing basketball at the time. We played matches with the neigbouring schools every now and then and if we won, we were on top of the world. If we didn't, we would try harder. 

Our captain was a girl called Azra and on a day after we had just played a particularly strenuous match and won it, we headed to the school water coolers to gulp down some badly needed elixir of life. I remember waiting for my turn and when I got to that cooler, I just couldn't get enough of the water. When I finished, I looked around- most of the girls had moved away and were talking in small groups. 

All except one- Azra was standing away from the coolers. I couldn't help myself and asked, 

'Aren't you thirsty'? 

"I'm fasting" she replied.

I was confused-I  really didn't know what she was referring to. So I persisted.

'What kind of a fast is this Bushra?"

"This is Ramzan and I'm keeping a Roza" she explained.  

And that is how I first understood the huge significance of what a Roza meant to a devout Muslim. She had played a whole match and she wouldn't drink a drop of water.

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It's that time of the year again, a time when there are just a few days left for the holy month of Ramadan to begin

During these four weeks, every Muslim is supposed to fast from  dawn to dusk (with the clear exception of expecting mothers, or those who are physically unwell.) 

In fact, ever since I came to live here in the Gulf over two decades ago, this is something that has always fascinated and intrigued me. Might I add, coupled with a certain degree of admiration.To to me a fast without even a drop of water through the day, even for one day, is nothing short of miraculous, since I'm highly dependent on numerous cups of tea and coffee to keep me going through the day.

This is exactly where the discipline and structure of what Islam has to offer to the devout comes in. That particular feeling that the 'Rozas' are being undertaken for a specific purpose, that of the upliftment and cleansing of the body as well as of the soul. Added to which, are the donations that people choose to make to the needy.

While the day is quieter and more solemn, it is the evenings during Ramadan that are really worth their weight in gold. With the shops, restaurants and malls thronging with people who have successfully managed one day of their fast and have the privilege of being able to eat the well deserved evening meal as well as to undertake their preparations for the next day's fast.Truly a time for fasting and reflection as well as to make the most of what commercial businesses have to offer in terms of schemes, benefits and deals, I'm really looking forward to yet another Ramadan in Muscat.

During this period I will share some special recipes and information about events from some of the leading hotels and restaurants in Oman, so look out for some interesting posts in the days ahead.

Here's wishing all of you Ramadan Kareem in advance.. 

Ramadan special-My Apple, Fig and bread pudding, served with Vanilla ice-cream and honey

I love baking and even more, I like to try out something which I can make and serve without much ado. So today, I'm going to tell you how to bake a delicious, golden brown Apple, Fig and Bread pudding. 

Want even more 'deliciousness'? Serve it hot, topped with a scoop of Vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of honey.

So here it is, the recipe and the method. Do let me know what you think and it would be even better, if you actually try it and let me have your feedback..












Ingredients

Three slices of wholemeal/brown bread
I apple sliced
6 small figs
1 and a 1/2  cups  milk
1 egg
1 tsp   vanilla essence
Brown Sugar- 2  tablespoons


Method 

Pre heat oven to 150 degrees and set timer for 32 mins.

Set the three slices of bread cut evenly into squares on an oven proof glass dish which has been lined with oil/butter.

Add the figs which have been roughly chopped.

Slice apple finely and cover with the juice of one lemon to prevent dis colouration.

Soak the bread slices with the milk, egg, sugar  and the vanilla essence mix which should have been beaten with a fork to achieve a  smooth consistency.


Leave for 3-5 minutes to ensure that the slices are softened.

Decorate with the apple slices.

All set for popping into the  oven

Put into the pre-heated oven and wait till the timer pings on completion of 32 minutes.( You may want to leave it for an additional 2-3 mins if you want more of a golden brown look.)

Bake till top is golden brown

The Apple, fig and bread pudding is ready!

To Serve

Cut into portions and serve in a bowl.

The best way that I can recommend is to add one scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with a teaspoon of honey.

Even more delicious, topped with a scoop of Vanilla Ice cream and a drizzle of honey

Sit back and enjoy with a steaming  Cappuccino...

The First day of Ramadan,its true meaning and glimpses of breaking the fast

The call for prayer signals the end of the fast 

I was in Grade 8 and had just finished playing a basketball match. We won and there was a feeling of great jubilation with all the team members looking forward to the High tea that was laid out in the school hall.Like all the girls, I too wanted to tuck in but before that, I wanted to have a drink of water. Lots and lots of water!

Making a beeline for the water coolers, I found a long line of girls already there, but my turn came eventually and I drank to my fill. Walking towards the hall, I realized that our team captain Azra hadn't drunk water. When I told her to hurry or we would be the last ones in, she answered, 'You carry on, I wont be joining all of you" 

'Why?' I asked.

"I'm fasting- this is our Ramzan fast and I will keeping it for this whole month", she replied.

I was amazed- we had all just played a long and tough match and  I'm sure that  she was as hungry and thirsty as all the rest of us, but she didn't even have a sip of water! And that was how I had my first lesson of what the Holy month of 'Ramzan' or Ramadan means to a Muslim.A lesson which  surprised as well as humbled me because it taught me a lesson in willpower, restraint  and sacrifice and one which has stayed with me till this day.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. The term Ramadan literally means 'scorching' in Arabic. It was established as a Holy Month for Muslims after the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE on the occasion known as Laylat al-Qadr, frequently translated as "the Night of Power.

Observance of Ramadan is mandated in the Quran, Surah 2, Ayah 185 

Beauty with a very deep meaning

During the month of Ramadan, most Muslims fast from dawn to sunset with no food or water. Before sunrise many Muslims have the ‘Suhur’ or predawn meal. At sunset families and friends gather for ‘Iftar’ which is the meal eaten by Muslims to break the fast. Many Muslims begin the meal by eating dates as the Prophet used to do.This ritual fast is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires that individuals abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse.In general, the practices of Ramadan are meant to purify oneself from thoughts and deeds which are counter to Islam. By removing material desires, one is able to focus fully on devotion and service to God. Many Muslims go beyond the physical ritual of fasting and attempt to purge themselves of impure thoughts and motivations such as anger, cursing, and greed. Charity is an important part of Ramadan. The fast emphasizes self-sacrifice and using the experience of hunger to grow in empathy with the hungry. During Ramadan, Muslim communities work together to raise money for the poor, donate clothes and food, and hold 'Iftar' dinners for the less fortunate.

A couple of years ago one evening  I happened to be in Matrah, a very old part of Muscat, with a group of photo enthusiasts for a Photo Walk. It was the first day of Ramadan and the air was thick with a feeling of suppressed excitement.The fast was coming to a close and the roadside vendors had already started preparing the snacks that would be eaten 

by all once the fast was over.

The aroma was exquisite and looking around I could see that there was a whole range of sweet as well as savory delicacies.It was a memorable moment in time and I found myself keenly anticipating the call for prayer which would signal the end of that day's fast.

Walking around, I kept clicking and time passed. Anticipation mounted higher..    

Then higher...

Then we all heard it, the call for prayer...And all the fasting men went into the mosque to pray.

Stepping out, they settled down to their first meal in many,many  hours, dates followed by some light snacks. I'm happy I manged to click this particular shot without intruding into that very personal moment.Meal over, they dispersed, it was time to head back home and join their families.

It had been a long day for all of them. The first 'Roza' was over and tomorrow would be another day. As for me,  it was a truly beautiful moment in time...