Why I Love The Month Of Ramadan

One reason I love Ramadan (and there are many), is that it’s a time to catch up with friends that I have not seen in a while. What better way to do this than to break bread together?

One night during a previous Ramadan, I had iftaar with a friend of 46 years, Roshin Ebrahim. We were besties throughout high school, but somehow when we got to university life happened and we went off in different directions. In more recent years we reconnected and started this tradition of trying to have a boeka together each Ramadan. And wow, what a beautiful spread, prepared with so much love.

All the usual suspects such as dates, soup, samoosas, daltjies and pies where there, but next-level delicious. We started with a spicy seafood soup, then for mains a chicken, peas and potato curry and roti, plus a refreshing side salad and koek en tee for dessert. All beautifully presented.

What makes these experiences special for me every time, is the love and care that goes into the meals - the sharing, the time spent together, the gratitude for the blessing from the Almighty and the consciousness of how fortunate we are. Nothing goes to waste - leftovers are often given to the less fortunate. It’s not just about elaborate meals, there’s so much more to it. Often we pray together.

From my friend’s balcony we watched the lights go on at the top of the minarets of the mosques, down below in District Six and Woodstock. Something which I remember my family doing when I was a child, growing up. This, before cellphones, the internet and dedicated Muslim radio stations.

With every friend or family members that I break fast with, the experience is the same, yet so completely different. Each uniquely special which makes these just some of the many reasons that I love the month of Ramadan.