'This month has a charm of its own'

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This month has a charm of its own
With just a few minutes to sunset, the excitement and buzz around the dining table seem to reach a crescendo.

Abu Dhabi - Giving a recap of their typical day in Ramadan, Khan said that in the morning after Suhoor, he and his children go to the mosque for Fajr prayers.

by

Ismail Sebugwaawo

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Published: Fri 2 Jun 2017, 7:54 PM

Last updated: Fri 2 Jun 2017, 10:00 PM

Biriyani rice and pakora are some of the special dishes that adorn the dining table of this Pakistani family in the Capital. With a few hours left to sunset, the entire Khan family is busy in the kitchen preparing the dishes and putting together the Iftar meal.
Pakora (a fried snack or fritter) is an important dish for Iftar for Pakistani and Indian families, among others.
However, apart from the prominently displayed pakoras, the family of Salman Hamad Khan have also decorated the Iftar table with some more lavish dishes such as biryani, bondi chaat, macrons, chicken potato roast, samosa, chutney, dates, fruit salads, orange juice and laban.
With just a few minutes to sunset, the excitement and buzz around the dining table seem to reach a crescendo.
"This is the most important time of the day for us. We all gather here in the dining hall and wait for azaan so we can end our fast," said Salman Khan, who is vice-principal of Islamia English School in Abu Dhabi.
"This month has its own charm and blessing. We come together as a family and get to spend more quality time together. From preparing meals to praying, eating and being together, Ramadan brings so much peace and happiness to our homes.
"I am not the sort who would just always do the house chores with my wife and children - daughter Aazhmwer, 14, and sons Uneeb, 11; and Saim, 9.
"I want to teach my children the values of unity and the importance of teamwork and this is the best time to demonstrate that," said Salman, who is also known as a popular educationist and a poet in his community."
For the simple family that strongly holds its religious and cultural values, Ramadan to Salman and family means sacrifice and much of their day is spent in praying.
"Ramadan is a time when we totally immerse ourselves in obeying Allah and praying to Him. We perform five daily prayers together in the mosque, starting from Fajr (early morning prayer) to Isha (night prayer)," said Khan, 48.
Giving a recap of their typical day in Ramadan, Khan said that in the morning after Suhoor, he and his children go to the mosque for Fajr prayers. They then sleep for a couple of hours and the kids then go to school, while Salman and wife head to their workplace. Salman's wife is a teacher at a school.
By 1.30pm and after performing the afternoon (Zohar) prayer, the whole family is already back in the house. They read the Holy Quran for about an hour, take some rest and wake up for Asr prayers.
At about 5pm, the family embarks on their Iftar planning of the day, which Khan says is the most exciting part of the day.
"I head this department and it takes us almost two hours to prepare the Iftar and Suhoor," said Salman's wife, Rabia Salman Khan. 
"Since it's my forte, I love every bit of it and I also ensure that everyone's favourite dish is included in the Iftar menu."
Rabia said her husband and the kids help with the preparation of juice and salads while she focuses on the main dishes.
"We all love pakoras. This is an important dish for the family and it can't be missed."
After Iftar, the family rests a while before heading to the mosque for Isha and Taraweeh prayers (special night prayers during Ramadan). They then spend almost the entire night receiving friends and sometimes visiting others until Suhoor time.
"What I like about Ramadan here is that its spirit is felt everywhere, be it in workplaces, shopping malls, mosques even in homes," said Khan who has been in the UAE for the past nine years.
"Unlike back home, people here are more focused on worship during Ramadan. I like the tranquility here. Things here are very organised, but back home a bit chaotic," he said. 
However, Khan said he misses the family gatherings back home in Islamabad. 
"In Pakistan, Ramadan means families getting together. Relatives including uncles, grandparents and children always gather for Iftar. I miss such things," said Khan. 
"I miss my father a lot in such times because we always had most of Iftars together as a family."
And for his daughter Aazhmwer, who has been fasting for the past six years (since she was seven), Ramadan means sacrifice.
"I love fasting and I was excited about it since I was a child because I believe spending a day without eating is a sacrifice for Allah," she said.
"Ramadan means happiness to me. I feel some connection with Allah during this month of forgiveness," she said.
Her brother Uneeb added: "Fasting is a really big test from Allah. Though the religious act of fasting was tough for me during my first few years, I am now used to it and feel happy about doing it for my Lord - the almighty Allah."
Explaining his excitement, the Grade 6 pupil at Islamia English School said he is the most excited at Iftar. "I feel so happy about Iftar after spending a long day of fasting," said Uneeb.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com
 


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