Hyderabadi Ramadan in Saudi Arabia

Like many Hyderabadis, I had the opportunity to live and work in Saudi Arabia.  Saudi Arabia has become a home away from home.  Ramadan is the blessed month for Muslims and a time to earn great rewards.  It is spiritually and physically the best month for Muslims.  As Muslims follow the Hijrah (Lunar) calendar, which is shorter by 11 days as compared to Gregorian (Solar) Calendar. This allows the sliding of the Ramadan each year by 11 days and it comes in different seasons over a long period.  This gives Muslims an opportunity to fast in different weather conditions. Saudi Arabia provides a conducive and congenial atmosphere for fasting and it is one of the best places for fasting.

Having spent fifteen years in Saudi Arabia, we had an opportunity to fast in Spring, Winter and now Summer.  This year Ramadan is in Summer i.e., during the months of August/September. Over 90% of the population in Saudi Arabia fasts and there are restrictions on public eating during the period of the fast, this facilitates easy fasting. The Masjids are bustling with the devout during this month. For many bachelors breaking Iftar at Masjid is a boon, as there are a variety of food is provided at the Masjids.  This helps them from strains of making preparations at home. 

However those with their families have a different strategy they break the fast at homes, Iftar parties are held for friends and relatives. Some Iftar parties are held outdoors or near the Corniches. The Maghrib and Isha prayers are held in the open areas. 

There are many attractions of Ramadan, the month it selves, fasting, tarawi, Lailatul Qadr, Umra, Zakat, Fitra, Eid and the routine Iftar Parties. 

During the last ten nights of Ramadan mid-night prayers are held.  It is for Lailatul Qadar, which is explored during the last 10 odd nights.  It is equivalent to 1000 months and no Muslim wants to miss this blessed night.

Another blessed aspect of Ramadan is that people plan and go for Umra.  It is said that an Umra during Ramazan carries a reward equivalent to Haj, even though Umra is optional whereas Haj is mandatory upon meeting certain conditions.  Quran is read as and when there is an opportunity especially after each prayer. Maximum charity, Zakat and good deeds are done during Ramadan to reap the best returns as promised by Allah.

The Hyderabadi community, which is the second largest community among Indians in Saudi Arabia, has its own unique way of making preparations for Iftar parties. 

A typical Iftar Party preparation starts a day before, with two to three items readied for the Iftar party.  Rest of the items, are prepared on the day of the Iftar party.  For Iftar the families start arriving half an hour before the Iftar time.  Ladies and children are sent to separate room and the Gents sit in a separate room The dining sheet is spread and gets filled with a variety of food items but the common ones are Dahi Vada, chickpeas, Laban with Rooh Afza, Samosas, Haleem, Dates (khajoor), fruit juices and water.  As soon as the Magrib Azaan is heard the fast is broken with the Khajoor (Dates) and the delicacies are devoured.   The eating session last between 10 to 15 minutes then everyone rushes for Magrib Prayers.  After the prayer everyone is back at their respective places. Few minutes later, it is time for a good filling meal. Once again the dinner sheet is spread, but now the items are totally of different variety.  People try to follow the typical traditional hyderabadi menu like biryani, roti, mirchiyon ka salan (sweet chilly curry), Dahi ki chatni (made of Curd), dry chicken and chicken 65.  On the top of it a standard Double ka metha (sweet made of bread, sugar and other ingredients) and or Kheer is made.   Once the dinner is over then tea is served.  The tea is with a good amount of milk and sugar.  After dinner there is a time for little chat and usually revolves around as to the payment of Zakat and Fitra (which has to be provided to the less fortunate people) and other noble acts, then time to go for Isha and Tarawi prayers. 

The night prayers are one of the best opportunities for earning rewards from Allah.   Once the prayers are over then every one gets into their routine of next day's fast.

The sighting of moon not only brings about a joy of Eid, but also a bit of disappointment as the blessed month has ended.  A large number of Hyderabadi's plan for vacation during Eid Holidays and celebrate Eid in Hyderabad. 

Mohammed Sadullah Khan, is a Faculty Member and a Freelance writer based in Saudi Arabia and can be contacted at mosakhan40@gmail.com.