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Arooj Khalid / youthjournalism.org
The Aftari table, filled with the food to be eaten after the fast
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By Arooj Khalid
Reporter
LAHORE, Pakistan – The ninth month of the lunar Islamic calendar is
celebrated throughout the world by Muslims as Ramadan.
celebrated throughout the world by Muslims as Ramadan.
It is a month like none other because Muslims fast, or abstain from
food or drink, from Fajr, which is
the prayer at sunrise, to Maghreb,
which is the prayer at sunset.
food or drink, from Fajr, which is
the prayer at sunrise, to Maghreb,
which is the prayer at sunset.
Fasting is obligatory for Muslims to worship Allah, and so that we may
feel how the poor and unfortunate starve for food and drink while we eat our
fill. The offices and schools and other work places reduce their time so that
everyone can engage in worship and gain as much reward as they can.
feel how the poor and unfortunate starve for food and drink while we eat our
fill. The offices and schools and other work places reduce their time so that
everyone can engage in worship and gain as much reward as they can.
The night before Ramadan began in Pakistan this year, the committee forthe sighting of the moon announced that the moon had been sighted around 10 p.m.
I was quite excited, and for that reason, I didn’t sleep at night, and offered Traweh prayers. Also known as night
prayers, or Qayam-ul-layil, these are
special prayers offered in the nights of Ramadan.
At 2 a.m., we started preparing sehri,
the meal before keeping a fast. I ate a paratha,
or flatbread, and some stew and by 3:38 a.m., we were fasting.
the meal before keeping a fast. I ate a paratha,
or flatbread, and some stew and by 3:38 a.m., we were fasting.
After offering Fajr prayers, I went to sleep around 4:30 and awoke at
noon. It was so hot, so much hot, and don’t talk about humidity!
noon. It was so hot, so much hot, and don’t talk about humidity!
But soon I got my mind off the weather and realized I had a lot of
summer vacation homework to do. I don’t know why my school gives us vacation
work even in 10th grade. I mean, who does? Anyways, I had to do it,
so I finished my English literature homework all in one go. I was going to
start computer science, when at 5:30 p.m., we started preparing for Aftari, the meal after breaking the fast.
summer vacation homework to do. I don’t know why my school gives us vacation
work even in 10th grade. I mean, who does? Anyways, I had to do it,
so I finished my English literature homework all in one go. I was going to
start computer science, when at 5:30 p.m., we started preparing for Aftari, the meal after breaking the fast.
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Arooj Khalid / youthjournalism.org
Fruit chaat
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We washed and cut vegetables for the most popular Aftari snack, pakoras, and then mixed chickpea flour
and water in them, and then deep fried them. Most Aftari meals in the sub-continent
have oily snacks, and fruit chaat, or fresh fruit salad, is a must.
and water in them, and then deep fried them. Most Aftari meals in the sub-continent
have oily snacks, and fruit chaat, or fresh fruit salad, is a must.
It’s a hassle before the Aftari, as we want everything to be ready in
time. Dates – don’t forget the dates!
time. Dates – don’t forget the dates!
It’s a Sunnah, or expected custom, to break your fast with dates. And
as Ramadan comes closer, the prices of dates goes higher and higher. We also
made dahi pakoriyan, a dish with curd
pakoris, or fritters, and other
vegetables and spices. We brought samosa
and spring rolls from the market; another usual oily snack.
as Ramadan comes closer, the prices of dates goes higher and higher. We also
made dahi pakoriyan, a dish with curd
pakoris, or fritters, and other
vegetables and spices. We brought samosa
and spring rolls from the market; another usual oily snack.
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Arooj Khalid / youthjournalism.org
Dahi pakoriyan
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Arooj Khalid / youthjournalism.org
Samosas and spring rolls
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Arooj Khalid / youthjournalism.org
Doodh soda
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For the first day, we decided to make the red drink, laal sherbet, which is an extract from rose flowers and the sandalwood plant, and doodh soda. It is not actually a soda, it’s just a soft drink mixed with milk, and really yummy.
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Arooj Khalid / youthjournalism.org
Pakoras
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Drinks really matter in the Aftari as it is so hot during the day that when
breaking your fast, you feel like rushing to grab a drink.
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Arooj Khalid / youthjournalism.org
Laal sherbet
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When they announced on television that it was time for Aftari, everyone
grabbed a date, read the fast-breaking prayer, and broke their fast.
I just drank, drank, drank. But
I kept the fruit chaat in the fridge for later – I love fresh fruits.
I kept the fruit chaat in the fridge for later – I love fresh fruits.
After Aftari, we offered Maghreb prayers, managed the kitchen and
finally the day was over.
finally the day was over.
The first of Ramadan passed graciously, and I hope it’s the same for
the rest of the Ramadan.
As we say, “Ramadan is generous,” or “Ramadan Kareem!”
the rest of the Ramadan.
As we say, “Ramadan is generous,” or “Ramadan Kareem!”
