It’s that time of year again. When the Masjids’ begin to fill and there is a Ramadan spirit in the air. Ladies are dawning their hijabs whilst the age old Qurans’ laying dormant on top of selves gathering dust, are lifted off the selves and people begin to recite the Quran for the next 30 days or so. It is the most holy time of the year for Muslims across the globe, and the atmosphere is literally buzzing with anticipation and the excitement of Ramadan. Muslims show their love to Allah, through personal sacrifice and self discipline. Its the ninth month of the Islamic year, and all Muslims fast for the entire month from dawn to dusk.

It was during Ramadan that the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). According to legend, he was sitting alone in the wilderness when suddenly the angel Gabriel came to him with a golden tablet in his hands. The angel told Muhammad to read what was written on the tablet. What was on this golden tablet is said to be the essence of the Koran, just as the Tablets of the Law that Moses received on Mt. Sinai were the basis of the bible’s Old Testament.

Ramadan, a month-long period of austerity that sees devout Muslims keep themselves away during the entire daytime, offering prayers and abstaining from almost every kind of enjoyment including drinking and abstaining from sex. For Muslims all over, it is a very special time – of introspection, meditation, self control, compassion, charitable activities, spirituality and of course, devotion to God. The fast provides many benefits and is full of wisdom. It purifies and strengthens your heart. It rids you of your baser tendencies like exuberance, arrogance, and stinginess. It reinforces good traits like fortitude, clemency, and generosity. You are supposed to be a better human being, be kind, don’t lie, cheat, steal, be more generous, and be a better person overall. It supports in your inner struggle to please Allah and attain nearness to Him. It shows how much Allah has blessed us. We are reminded of our brethren those who are less fortunate and are inspired to treat them well hk property agency.

Having said all this, Ramadan is also a great month to enjoy all the delectable treats prepared for Iftar (breaking of fast). Be it home cooked meals – prepared with great care and love or slip smacking and tantalizing treats on the streets outside the mosque. Platters of fruits – fresh and dry, juices, hearty and nutritious soups, fried savoury snacks, curries, biryanis’, salaans’, rotis, tikka’s, kebabs, and desserts … the spread is unbelievable and never ending. Family and friends get together to eat, and spend time with each other. Every culture has its own specialties and localized dishes, and its wonderful to try what each one has to offer. One of my most favourite dish is Harira. Its very nutritious and wholesome; not to mention absolutely tasty. A one pot dish, which comprises of meat, pulses, veggies and rice, serves as a meal in itself. It’s the perfect thing to have after fasting the whole day. I came across this recipe in 2005, when I was in Ethiopia. One afternoon they showed it on BBC Food network and I’ve been making it ever since stanley property.

Harira is Morocco’s famous soup. It’s fragrantly seasoned with ginger, pepper, and cinnamon, and also boasts a robust quantity of fresh herbs: cilantro, parsley, celery and onion. Although made throughout the year, harira is best-loved by Moroccans during the month of Ramadan when it’s frequently served to break the fast at sunset. Some families also enjoy eating harira at suhoor, the meal taken in the early morning hours before a day’s fasting officially begins. Recipes vary greatly from one family to another. Some make the soup light in texture; others prefer a filling version with chick peas and rice or broken vermicelli. One Moroccan cook may favor more tomato; another more lentils; still another may add paprika. So there are no rules, feel free to change ingredients and proportions paper craft storage.

Wishing you all a blessed month of fasting.