Ramadan brings us together and the epidemic prevents us .. Muslims tell about Ramadan in America

For the second year in a row, the month of Ramadan comes in exceptional circumstances, amid the continuing Corona pandemic.

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In an area not far from the American capital (Washington), there is a supermarket “Aphrodite”, which sells Egyptian and Greek products. Its owner Kamal Nasif tells about the exceptionalism of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, saying, “About two months before the start of Ramadan, customers begin to request special orders such as salted and smoked fish. And dried meats, because they realize that it is difficult to eat this type of food during the long fasting period, as well as before Eid al-Fitr, indicating that he speaks with importers to provide the required quantities of these items well before the seasons of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

Nassef confirms that the demand for certain items such as Ramadan drinks, yameesh and nuts increases during those weeks, and a special section is added during that period to make the distinctive qatayef dough, which is made by a specialized Greek worker.

Ramadan and shopping

As for “Halalco”, the largest Arab store in the DMV area, which includes Washington, DC and the states of Maryland and Virginia, there is a great turnout of Arabs and Muslims, as the lines extend in front of the shop to allow the entry of certain numbers after sterilizing their hands in front of the doors.

Sama Marwan, a Syrian, says that she has to come to Arab stores during the month of Ramadan at least 3 times, which is different from the regular months in which she visits these stores one or two times at most.

She explains that the Ramadan gatherings are what makes her feel the atmosphere of the holy month in exile, which she is keen to do.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Ali, another customer in the same store, feels alienated during that month, even though it is his third Ramadan in the United States, he said.

And Mohammed added, “Ramadan in this country is different from my country, in Mauritania, a spiritual atmosphere that I miss here, and my loss and my feeling of alienation increased, closing mosques last year, and preventing gatherings for fear of Corona.”

He explains that, by shopping and buying the usual Ramadan products in Mauritania, he is trying to restore part of the usual atmosphere of Ramadan.

Mustafa Saeed – one of the customers – believes that the atmosphere of Ramadan has completely changed since last year, and says, “In exile we take advantage of these occasions to hold gatherings for Arabs to add some of the atmosphere of Ramadan and a sense of synergy, but with Corona the gatherings stopped last year and this year as well, especially the mosques gatherings that It was considered a major feature of that holy month. “

Despite Mustafa feeling upset about the disappearance of the Ramadan atmosphere, he said, he finds shopping for Ramadan a pleasure that restores some of the suspended atmosphere, saying, “Perhaps the only thing that makes us feel the joy and atmosphere of the holy month is food and shopping for Ramadan, as there are certain foods that must be on the Moroccan table, such as Harira.” We shop in Arab stores, buy halal dates and meat, and hold very simple banquets for at most two people who have received the vaccine so that we can feel the Friday of Ramadan. “

Events stop

For the second year, Arab and Islamic communities, consulates and embassies have stopped holding any activities during the month of Ramadan.

In the years prior to the pandemic, these entities used to receive their Muslim children during a group Iftar or Suhoor event as a form of celebration of the holy month in the Diaspora.

With the spread of the Corona virus, those activities were stopped last year, and the stoppage continued this year as well.

Tahani Hamad – a woman in her 30s – says that she misses the celebrations organized by the Saudi community, explaining, “My husband is sent here to study, and we used to take the month of Ramadan to gather in the community with Saudi families to get acquainted and breakfast together and talk; but unfortunately due to Corona, these activities stopped last year and this year as well.” .

She asserts that she wanted to compensate for the isolation she felt last year, especially since she and her husband received the vaccine against the Corona virus, saying, “This year we organized with two families a Ramadan breakfast and celebrated together, and we all took the vaccination, so it was safe, and I plan to make another moment this weekend.” .

The matter is also no different for the Egyptian embassy, ​​which has stopped organizing any events related to the month of Ramadan since last year, and Dina Abdel Alim, a woman in her forties, says, “We miss Ramadan gatherings badly; but maybe this year is less than before.” Few of our friends have breakfast together. Before the pandemic, we used to share a group breakfast with at least 7 families. “

She asserts that this year she exaggerated decorating her home with Ramadan decorations, saying, “Usually I put one branch of light in the house, but this year I put Ramadan decorations on all the walls and bought lanterns for children, and decided to celebrate every detail available to compensate for what happened last year.”