A different Ramadan

Every year, particularly for Muslims, the countdown to Eid in the month of Ramadan is largely that — the Eid day! Do not get me wrong, there is nothing wrong about the anticipation or the celebration. But I personally feel that most of us lose sight of the main purpose of the month, and engage in activities that perhaps cheapen the spirit in many ways. The purpose of Eid-ul-Fitr is to celebrate the joys of having had the opportunity of doing good deeds in the blessed month of Ramadan. Which means that doing the good deeds is what warrants a celebration. But in reality, for countless people, the day of Eid and the countless social frivolities continuing well into the next month, appear to take precedence over the actual observance of the month of fasting.

Ramadan is about practice; of living a life in a manner that is pleasing to Allah, with personal improvements, health, as well as the added benefits of developing and acting on compassion for the less fortunate, through increasing charity and socially impactful actions. I feel, many of us need to re-evaluate our ways of life during this time, and reflect on our actions in the past, with the intent to identify whatever possible mistakes, and use the blessed month to rectify those mistakes and form new and better habits.

The first and most obvious action related to Ramadan is the ritual of fasting — abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk. It seems like a simple enough thing to do, but how many of us have actually thought about the purpose behind this? To me, it is a reminder to count the everyday blessings we take for granted; we start our fast with full bellies, while being assured of having a full table at sundown as well. But millions of people around the world do not have the access to the basic human right of three full meals a day, and many of them live not far away at all. Perhaps, this Ramadan, we could be more thoughtful about it.

Shorobor is an organisation that has an iftar package programme. You can buy a package to donate a full month's iftars for one person for just Tk 660 this year. 

Or, you can provide help with the month's rations for a family that you know is struggling.

As citizens living in a country full of people living on the margins of poverty and without any food security, I feel Ramadan is a time to remember that consciously, be thankful and share that good fortune as much as we can. From this perspective, the gluttony-inducing glitzy sehri parties, and buffets seem offensive. I went to one such iftar with friends once. The company and camaraderie were a lot of fun honestly, but the wastage and amounts of food was obnoxiously offensive, and I felt indecent for participating. Having said that, community bonds are important, and should be fostered. Eating together enables better bonding. Perhaps, the correct way for us then is to consciously temper the activities with moderation.

Another aspect of Ramadan, again in anticipation of the Eid celebrations, is shopping. Universally, on festival days, people want to dress and look their best, and decorate their homes the same way. There is joy in looking and feeling presentable, and seeing the happy faces of loved ones looking all pretty. But somewhere along the line, many of us have lost the simplicity from this aspect, and made it into a convoluted debacle of display and unmitigated consumerist greed. I only point to those who buy festive clothes in the double digits — how can buying 15 saris or 12 kurtis for one person be justified, especially since we also buy things all year round? 

Once again, moderation is all I advocate, for our moral soundness, for financial conservatism, and also, to minimising our individual carbon footprints.

Most of us are blessed with closets full of stuff, be it clothes or jewellery or shoes. Perhaps this Ramadan, when we shop, a simple rule could help us be more socially impactful. If we have the means, for every outfit we get ourselves, let us get one of good quality for someone who could not do it for themselves. The rule could apply to practically everything we get, too.

Anonymous cash gifts can also be wonderful for struggling families.

For the near future, it seems that a majority of people will be staying at home a lot, due to the spread of Covid-19. Normal life will take a long time to resume, and for the foreseeable future, many of us will be largely bound at home, even after the first wave of viral contamination ends. Staying together longer also creates friction. Ramadan is a time to practice patience, and kindness. Hunger and abstinence affect people in various ways, but mood swings and irritability are most common. This Ramadan, let us be more mindful of each other's mental health, from the stress, collective trauma, and disrupted daily lives.

The Covid-19 crisis has caused millions in economic losses. Keeping aside the effects of lower productions on the environment, in the immediate aftermath, thousands of livelihoods have been lost, savings wiped out, small businessmen and companies gone bankrupt, and the struggles of the people are not going to end anytime soon. We must all be more conscientious, spend responsibly, share our good fortunes, support local producers and sellers, and do our utmost.

This Ramadan, we have to be extra resilient, to help ourselves and people around us battle this crisis, with charity and kindness, and even more kindness.

Photo: LS Archive/Sazzad Ibne Sayed