For almost two weeks now, Muslims have been observing Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month on the Muslim calendar, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for about thirty days. This year, the fasting period began on June 17 and will end on July 17 though the dates may vary. 

Sheikh Ally Munderere, the Head Imam of Kigali, says Ramadan has been in existence since the 2nd year and today we are in the 1436th year of the Muslim calendar.

"Fasting in Ramadan comes as a directive from the second chapter of the Quran, lines 182 and 187 where Muslims are asked to fast from morning to evening and eat after dusk and before dawn. In this month, we are breaking fast at 6:05pm and during day light, we are to restrain from food, drinks and sex even for the married,” says Sheikh Munderere.

He adds that people who have accepted Allah are requested to fast like their ancestors did.

"While fasting, Muslims are supposed to read the Quran many times as it descended from heaven in this same month. Muslims are also supposed to refrain from talking ill but most importantly, they must participate in acts of compassion. Visit the sick, give and share with the poor and also lend a hand to the needy like the elderly among others,” he says

Sheikh Munderere adds that much as people are encouraged to fast, there are people that are exempted from fasting.

"Those who are not required to fast during Ramadan include non-Muslims, young children, the sick or those with mental illnesses, travellers, the elderly and women who are menstruating, pregnant, breast-feeding or have recently had a baby,” he concludes.

A day in the life of a Muslim during the month of Ramadan

Ayub Habineza, a 25-year-old butcher living in Kacyiru talks about the spirit and culture of Ramadan, breaking the fast with pilau rice, chapati and beef as he shares what goes on in his day.

"To start with, Ramadan is my best time of the year. I have a lot of motivation and my day starts at 4am when I have my Dhaku. It’s the meal I take before sunrise. At 4:50, I am at the Mosque for the morning prayers and right after that, my day kicks off,” he narrates.

After starting his day, Habineza takes time to reflect on how he has been living his life, he also takes time to share love with everyone and spiritually connects to his creator but not forgetting taking the five prayers as directed by the Quran.

"Many people ask me about how I get to carry on with work in this period especially without food. It’s a very unique time and I always find myself more active, productive and hardworking during this time than any other time. I easily find that I refrain from many distractions, take time to think my life through and focus more on delivering the best service at my workplace. Hunger doesn’t strike me as an issue,” he noted.

Habineza also advises that for Muslims to have more rewards they are advised to have the daily prayers in groups and so he walks to the Mosque in Kacyiru for prayers.

During his day, he also takes time to visit some of the elderly people in his neighbourhood, helps them with their chores, buys for them some of their basic groceries and also gives to the poor.

In the evening, he breaks his fast at about 6:10pm from his home with his brothers, sisters and neighbours.

"My wife and sisters are amazing cooks and they make a very special meal for us and our neighbours. We take a light snack to be able to break the fast, usually a banana and juice before heading out for prayer at 8pm,” Habineza says

This prayer goes on for an hour and then sharing of the main meals starts. Habineza’s favourite is plantain commonly known as matooke, rice and chicken. He later wakes up in the night at 1am for another prayer.

What Ramadan means to someone that is fasting?

Fatma Mutako says Ramadan is about changing for the better and being the Muslim that the Quran asks us to be.

"Ramadan has three meanings to me. The first is to be healthy, the second is to teach morality and compassion, learning what its like for people who cannot afford food and showing respect for all human beings, and the third is to bring all Muslims together through socialising, increased prayers, and distribution of food, despite differences in congregation, that is what Ramadan means to me in very simple terms,” she says.

Is the month of Ramadan meant for only Muslims?

Carine Uwase Mugabo, 27, is a Christian from Zion Temple but says the Holy month of Ramadan is a great month for her spiritual journey.

"I have a number of Muslim friends and during this time, they do a lot of things that not only help them in their daily life but also help other people especially the sick, the poor and the needy and I do participate a lot when they are doing these acts of kindness. It doesn’t really matter what our religious differences are, we are all called to help others, share and most importantly reflect on our lives to become better people,” Uwase says

Not only does Uwase participate in these activities but she also takes part in the fasting. She uses this time to pray and ask for forgiveness, reflects on her life style and has noted that her behaviour and lifestyle changes for the better during and after a month of fasting and prayer.

Ramadan fasting in the eyes of the cook

While some take the day fasting and taking part in compassionate activities, Sharifa Munezero stays home in the afternoon to prepare a hearty meal for the evening time.

In the morning, Munezero prepares fruits, milk tea and chapati for her family, but says others rely on a heavier meal to get them through the day.

In the afternoon, she starts off with the heavy preparations for the evening meal when her family breaks the fast and advises that if one can afford it, they prepare more food and share with those that can’t afford the meals.

"In the evening, I prepare black coffee and dates, and then we go for prayers,” Munezero said about the post-sunset meal. "After prayers, we kick off the main meal with snacks, like samosas, meat pies, fish cutlasses and then we have the big dishes which include pilau rice, meat, chapatti, chicken, beans, peas among many other foods,” she says

Munezero goes on to add that, the breaking of the fast is a chance to invite others from the community into our home. Anyone at the local Mosque who has no family to break fast with is invited for the meal. Families always cook large quantities of food, more than they can eat.

When does it end? 

Ramadan ends this year on the evening of July 17. Every Ramadan culminates with the festival of Eid ul-Fitr, which takes place either 29 or 30 days after the beginning of the month. Eid, as it is usually known, begins with morning prayers and is followed by feasting and celebration among family and friends.

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