Residents and pilgrims gather in the Grand Mosque in Makkah, left, and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah to open the day's fast. — Okaz photos Hatim Masoudi Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH – For people in the Kingdom, the holy month of Ramadan has a special taste and flavor due to the existence of the holiest place on earth for Muslims – Makkah. Makkah's Grand Mosque, or specifically the Ka'aba, is the direction where Muslims all over the world pray toward. There there is also the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. Millions of Muslims travel to these two holy mosques and feel the warmth of Ramadan in the most beautiful atmosphere of tolerance and coexistence with citizens of the Kingdom every year. The Ramadan dishes of these communities vary with their cultures. Okaz/Saudi Gazette met and interviewed people from different corners of the world who had come to Makkah and Madinah during Ramadan for the ultimate spiritual experience. Khaled Shuwairid, a Pakistani resident, said, “It is known that every Muslim country celebrates Ramadan in its own way. We in Pakistan get ready for Ramadan with a fried salty snack known as pakora, fruit salad and fresh juices. Also, a siren blares when it is time for Iftar and Suhoor unlike the cannon that is used in Makkah and other cities. The cleaning of mosques begins in Sha'ban to welcome Ramadan during which people pray in congregation in mosques and increase their acts of worship aside from giving alms, similar to how things take place in the Kingdom." “Pakistanis in the Kingdom make sure to fast during the holy month, perform Umrah and spend as much time as possible in the Grand Mosque. The Kingdom places all of its facilities at the disposal of pilgrims, visitors and worshippers during this blessed month. There are lots of fruits and vegetables, apart from dates of different kinds. Alms and zakat are distributed to the poor and needy. Ramadan in the Kingdom has a special taste. The spirituality in any part of the world is incomparable to that in the Grand Mosque in Makkah," he added. Hamad Kareemi from Morocco said, “Ramadan in Morocco has a special flavor, as Moroccans respect the holy month confirming their centuries-old affiliation to Islam. The preparations for Ramadan do not differ from those in the Kingdom. The preparations in Morocco also begin in Sha'ban, especially for shops selling traditional Moroccan clothes as there is an increase in demand for the Moroccan Jilbab during Ramadan when both men and women prefer to wear the loose-fitting garment. The same applies to their children, who accompany them to perform Taraweeh prayers. Hence, there is a great rush at tailors' shops. Also, there is a great demand for dates. Some shops specialize in selling Ramadan foodstuffs like Moroccan pastries and sweets known as Al-Mukharraqah, Al-Shubakiyah, and Al-Maqroot among others. These are considered to be main dishes on the Ramadan table." “However, fasting during Ramadan in the Kingdom has countless distinctive features. Moroccans living in the Kingdom do not feel we are living in a foreign country, but among a generous people, who are our brethren. I wish all success in their fasting and other acts of worship during the holy month. I'm always keen to visit the Grand Mosque frequently; first, to seek to please Allah Almighty and, second, to enjoy these beautiful Ramadan nights," Kareemi added. Sudanese resident Ayoub Abdulghaffar said, “Welcoming the holy month of Ramadan can be likened to welcoming a guest, who is dear to us all. We welcome Ramadan with great joy especially since we are in the holy land. We don't feel a big difference between the customs and traditions in our country and those in the Kingdom including being amicable, cordial, compassionate and kind to one another; increasing philanthropic work and giving alms to the poor and needy." As to the Ramadan dishes in Sudan, they include Al-Assidah, Al-Baleelah and Al-Hiluwmurr juice. The Sudanese community in the Kingdom and Sudanese pilgrims from abroad make sure that they perform Umrah during the holy month and perform the other rites every year. Also, visits between friends and relatives increase during Ramadan. Ahmad Abdul Aal, an Egyptian resident in the Kingdom, expressed his happiness about spending Ramadan in the Kingdom among its generous people. “What distinguishes Ramadan in the Kingdom is the beautiful atmosphere of spirituality during the holy month and the chance to perform Umrah. These things bring great joy and tranquility to the heart. The value of performing Umrah in Ramadan cannot be stressed enough," he said.
