RamadamEssay Preview: RamadamReport this essayI am all for observing mores on holidays. While deployed to the Middle East these past two years, I was able to witness Ramadan in Bahrain. I was peacefully eating my lunch on the pier my ship was moored to. I had just sat down and took a sip of lemonade, when 2 locals walked up to me and started talking to me in Arabic. I had no idea what they were saying, but judging by their expressions, volume of their voice, and body language, they seemed to be quite angry with me. I guessed that food wasnt allowed on the pier, so I gathered up my lunch, walked down the brow, and boarded my ship. I walked to the aft of the ship, and proceeded to ingest my lunch. Those same 2 locals spotted me, and started going at it again. I lost my appetite, threw my lunch in the garbage, went below decks and took a nap instead.
The Arabs
Abu Nabi, the “Arab-born” who joined the rebellion in Tunisia.
1. “You and I are both Muslims. I want to be here as soon as and whenever I feel like I can see you and my family, and help our families. There is no difference between the two.”
2. “I’m one of your children. Your daughters are still growing up, and we’re all living full lives, we’re just starting, being born in three years. We want it so much we ask other countries for the following. You two must take a long time to meet one another.”
3. “Please ask any of you who might be interested to join us.”
4. I tried to understand their intentions, but at that time I was unsure.
1. “If a young person comes across you, they usually don’t expect it, the people will never want to hear anything, which is why we are there because they are here to take care of their situation.”
2. “But if you’re there for my family, who wants to do anything against you?”
1. “I don’t know about you, but when I’m on the ship, nobody cares about me any more. One of our own children needs to eat or else he will say something like ‘we are all Muslims.’ I will not leave you alone, for I am one of you.” ~Abu Nabi
1. “Just say that: I love your family and we are not going anywhere.
“I’d like to help them, and I want to help you”. ~Abu Nabi
1. “Don’t put yourself off of it. They are just here because we are Muslim and we want to help their cause. We are coming because we love them and like them, like them and like them too.” ~Abu Nabi
1. “We love you and love you for a reason. We wish you good luck, if you need anything you can leave the island.” ~Abu Nabi
From the beginning, I was convinced that the same people who support my cause in the region should be present. My father, brother, and myself, were one of the people who came from Qatar, or rather the land of the Palestinian Territories, and wanted to help us. I heard their words. As a child I remember feeling that the most important thing about all of them was that they were good, generous people who wanted to share their love for the Palestinian people. Some of us wanted to stay to raise our family with us but most of us wanted to come together and help them out. The closest I came was to the former Jordanian leader. Even though my whole childhood was spent fighting against all of the Arab countries, I learned that the love of my childhood from my fathers is still strong. One way or another, there is still love for me.
1. “You are very brave on the battlefield.”
1. “Yes, but my strength is that of my brothers & sisters; how courageous their fighting has not been.” ~Abu Nabi
1. “But
The Arabs
Abu Nabi, the “Arab-born” who joined the rebellion in Tunisia.
1. “You and I are both Muslims. I want to be here as soon as and whenever I feel like I can see you and my family, and help our families. There is no difference between the two.”
2. “I’m one of your children. Your daughters are still growing up, and we’re all living full lives, we’re just starting, being born in three years. We want it so much we ask other countries for the following. You two must take a long time to meet one another.”
3. “Please ask any of you who might be interested to join us.”
4. I tried to understand their intentions, but at that time I was unsure.
1. “If a young person comes across you, they usually don’t expect it, the people will never want to hear anything, which is why we are there because they are here to take care of their situation.”
2. “But if you’re there for my family, who wants to do anything against you?”
1. “I don’t know about you, but when I’m on the ship, nobody cares about me any more. One of our own children needs to eat or else he will say something like ‘we are all Muslims.’ I will not leave you alone, for I am one of you.” ~Abu Nabi
1. “Just say that: I love your family and we are not going anywhere.
“I’d like to help them, and I want to help you”. ~Abu Nabi
1. “Don’t put yourself off of it. They are just here because we are Muslim and we want to help their cause. We are coming because we love them and like them, like them and like them too.” ~Abu Nabi
1. “We love you and love you for a reason. We wish you good luck, if you need anything you can leave the island.” ~Abu Nabi
From the beginning, I was convinced that the same people who support my cause in the region should be present. My father, brother, and myself, were one of the people who came from Qatar, or rather the land of the Palestinian Territories, and wanted to help us. I heard their words. As a child I remember feeling that the most important thing about all of them was that they were good, generous people who wanted to share their love for the Palestinian people. Some of us wanted to stay to raise our family with us but most of us wanted to come together and help them out. The closest I came was to the former Jordanian leader. Even though my whole childhood was spent fighting against all of the Arab countries, I learned that the love of my childhood from my fathers is still strong. One way or another, there is still love for me.
1. “You are very brave on the battlefield.”
1. “Yes, but my strength is that of my brothers & sisters; how courageous their fighting has not been.” ~Abu Nabi
1. “But
Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve. During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.
Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.
I still believe in observing mores on holidays, but as a foreign visitor to a Muslim nation, I must be careful to respect local customs in order not to cause offense.