Libyan Customs During Ramadan

After breaking your fast by eating three dates, which is followed by the Maghreb (sunset) prayer it is advised that you drink water and have soup to rehydrate your body after the thirst of a whole day without drinking and eating. In Libya most Libyans make a soup made with small chunks of lamb, chick or Garbanzo peas and tiny pasta, the Italians call it Orzo.

This soup is finished off with either just a sprinkling of dry mint or a selection of fresh and dry herbs depending on taste. So most Libyan homes would have had bunches of mint drying in their balconies or gardens a few weeks ahead of Ramadan. The fragrant mint leaves are then separated from their stems, ground and stored in jars ready for use in the Ramadan soup.

The grinding of the mint leaves is one of many chores Libyan households do in preparing dishes that the family prefers to eat during the days of Ramadan. Of course, these tasks differ from one household to another according to the likes or dislikes of a particular family. However, the preparation of mint leaves is standard across Libya.

Drying bread and grinding it to make breadcrumbs, preparation and blending of spices, mincing meat for various dishes are also other tasks that I can name.

During Ramadan, Libyan ladies of all ages will try to prepare a feast of old favourites and new recipies that have been discovered on the web or on TV cooking shows. They slave in the kitchen for hours cooking and hours more clearing up the mess that was created during their experiments.

By the time they clear up their kitchens they emerge shattered and barely able to perform their prayers let alone the recitation of the Quran and other religious deeds. Needless to say such extravagance and loss of time and effort totally defeat the purpose of fasting which is about devouting the most of time in prayer and good deeds, not exhausting oneself in the preparation of complicated dishes. This is a negative aspect of Ramadan that needs to be corrected.

When the meal is over the family will drink coffee or tea along with something sweet. Then chat or watch TV for about half an hour before, they will then indulge in the final prayer of Isha and the special Ramadan only extended prayer of Tarweeh. Men and women attend the mosques for prayers; women can also do this prayer at home.

Once back from the mosque the family will either stay home for a late family evening or visit relatives and give them wishes for the blessed month of Ramadan. If one visits someone during Ramadan (the visit will be quite late in the evening), the host will most probably serve you Sohoor. This is a light meal made up mostly of the various leftovers from the Breaking of the fast meal.

When cooking the main meal, the cook will always put aside enough food to serve later as a light meal that will prepare you for the next day of fasting. This practice is an Islamic practice that was encouraged by the prophet (PBUH).

The Fasting of the next day starts with the call for the sunrise prayer (Fajar). All the eating and drinking would have ceased well before that time.

Once the Fajar prayer is over one is encouraged, and it is recommended to read extracts from the Quran until day light, after which there is no other prayer until after midday. Most people will take a nap before they leave for work or school.

That was a rundown of a routine Libyan Ramadan day. There are many small fun intricate details of a Libyan Ramadan, which I will deal with during the coming month. For now, though, I think I better have my own little nap to energise me for the rest of the fast. Ramadan Mubarak!

Source: http://www.tripolipost.com/articledetail.asp?c=4&i=8860

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