Khaled Zikry shared a photo of his Iftar meal on his Facebook page that he took using a timer on his phone
Dubai - Khaled Zikry who is spending Ramadan alone, away from his family for the first time, says Muslims who have their family around are blessed.
Published: Thu 9 Jun 2016, 1:18 PM
Last updated: Fri 10 Jun 2016, 10:27 AM
Khaled Zikry, a 25-year-old Egyptian living in Los Angeles, has a message for all the Muslims who are spending the holy month of Ramadan with their family.
"Today at your Iftar table, look at your left and right, and count your blessings. The alternative is very bitter."
Khaled who was based in Dubai for four years was offered a stint in Los Angeles, and he says the disconcerting feeling of being alone during Ramadan for the first time is making him want to move back to the Middle East.
"Back home in Cairo, my mother would wake me up at 3am for Suhoor before the 14-hour fast. When I would hesitate, she would bring a glass of water to my bed. But here I have to set an alarm and wake up on my own. When I end my fast in the evening at the Iftar table and I look at my both sides, all I see are empty chairs," he told Khaleej Times.
Khaled shared a photo of his Iftar meal on his Facebook page that he took using a timer on his phone, as he prayed before ending the fast on the first day. There was fried chicken from Popeyes, a canned version of Campbell soup and yoghurt from a nearby Iranian grocery store -- the closest that would get to the Laban back home.
But no joy of being surrounded by the loved ones. No sound of Azan prayers from the nearby mosque.
He called up his parents to wish them 'Ramadan Mubarak', but they were asleep. Blame it on the time difference.
High on emotions, Khaled urged all the Muslims who were blessed to spend Iftar with their family in his heart-warming post:
"Kneel and kiss your mother's hand. Kiss your father's forehead. Call that aunt whom you have been waiting to speak with for ages to make sure she's okay. Eat the sweets and desserts that your grandmother prepared. Take that money from your grandfather, don't feel shy. Go out with your cousins, play football with your neighbours. Talk. Laugh. Or just sit with your siblings. Because they are your real people."
The post went viral on social media as thousands of single Muslim expats across the world resonated the feelings. He even received several invites from Muslims based in the US to join them for Iftar.
Speaking with Khaleej Times, Khaled said, "What I miss the most is the feeling of festivity back home. How my mother would prepare a great meal and the whole family would get together. I miss fasting together with my people, being guided by the elders and helping the young ones. I miss the special TV shows and ads that evoke the feelings of celebration."
"Here it's just another ordinary day. I wake up at 6 am, work long hours. My colleagues inadvertently offer me food and I have to decline. I take very long to drive back from work as there are no empty roads before Iftar like we have back home. I am hungry and tired but the worst is knowing that I have to go back to an empty home full of loneliness."
Khaled's advice to the Muslim families, "The truly lacking part for Muslim expats living abroad is the family. That is why I urge those with families here, who might take it for granted, to invite a colleague, or a friend who might be alone. It would mean a lot to them if you invite them for Iftar with you, it would make a huge difference. And what's Ramadan without the joy of sharing."
Have any unique Ramadan experience? Email to nilanjana@khaleejtimes.com
iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
