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[Malaika Ali]

Ramadan in a Muslim Country

By Altaf Bhimji




A new night
of the sacred month
the thin slice of the moon; the crescent
visible only a few minutes
to the naked eye

A sight beautiful
signaling new,
fresh

Greetings one to the other: Ramadan Mubarakh

And a few hours later
sounds of drums
Wake up! Wake up!
have a meal,
a simple glass of water!
Before the first light,
before you begin the fast,
make the intention
Wake up! Wake up!

And the day progresses, a slowing down;
restaurants closed, coffee houses empty.

And workers begin their trek home early

Late afternoon, the speciality stores open
selling the special once a year snacks,
crowds flocking and moving hurriedly
collecting their Iftar (break fast)

And mothers prepare the traditional meals
taking extra time
for the fasting family

Only an hour before the sun sets
city streets empty,
as in a curfew,

And now only a few minutes,
family and friends gather around the table
making small talk
awaiting the moment...silence...

Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar
(God is great)

Ash-hadu an la illaha illal-lah
Ash-hadu an la illaha illal-lah
(I witness that there is no God except Allah)

Ash-hadu anna Mohammadan rasoolol lah
Ash-hadu anna Mohammadan rasoolol lah
(I witness that Mohammad is the Prophet of Allah)

Hay-ye alas-slat
Hay-ye alas-slat
(Hurry up for prayer)

Hay-ye alal falah
Hay-ye alal falah
(Hurry up for prosperity)

Allah-hu Akbar
Allah-hu Akbar

La illaha illal-lah
La illaha illal-lah
(There is no God except Allah)

And the siren, signalling the sun dipping below the horizon

And together, some with dates, some with a pinch of salt
"We take this food in the name of Allah, most gracious, ever merciful"

Prayers given
and later friends and family
mill around, some content
others tired, but all happy
on this day of Ramadan...
Peace