Ramadan away from home: 'We serve childhood favourites during the month'

The family has been living in the UAE for the past six years.

For Saimi Nadeem, Ramadan away from home does not feel that lonely anymore because, each year, her relatives pay her a visit here.
"Almost each Ramadan, either my father or my sister-in-law visits us here in the UAE," she said. "So it is not very lonely."
The family has been living in the UAE for the past six years.
"When relatives come over, they enjoy the evenings here, especially Qayam Al Layl (night prayers)," she said.
Saimi, who is from Lahore but grew up in Qatar, said she has always wanted to settle in a Gulf country.
"So when we moved here, I was very happy. It is also easier to run the household in the UAE."
Not to miss the taste of home, Saimi makes sure that traditional food is served during Suhoor and Iftar.
"My kids love pakoras (fritters) and I make two types for Iftar. We have also added soup and crackers as a staple during this time," she said.
"For Suhoor, we compulsorily have lassi and, sometimes, paratha, which again is what we used to eat as children."
Ramadan activities in the UAE are quite different from those held in Lahore, Saimi said.
"People here stay up all night until Suhoor, and they either pray or get involved in other activities, unlike in Lahore where most of the activities are restricted to daytime."
As a tradition and as a sign of respect for the month, the family ensures that all work is finished an hour before Iftar.
Then, they all sit down together to either recite the Holy Quran or say prayers, individually.
The family of five - husband, wife and three kids - have already prepared for Eid.
"It is not always possible to shop during Ramadan, so I finished the Eid shopping before the month of Ramadan started," she said.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Ramadan 2021