Somalis In The UK: Experiencing Ramadan Across Time And Space
|
|
www.islamonline.net By Zahrah Awaleh: I got the impression when I was living in Hargeisa, Somaliland,that people saw fasting as a duty and great burden. Life slows down for a month, allowing those fasting to absorb the whole experience almost at leisure. Not so in the West, where in London life continues as always and Somalis who have arrived recently always bemoan how difficult fasting is here. Young and old would speak to me with wistful eyes about how civilized Ramadan was back home, vowing to go back one day. Despite that, I personally think they feel the fast more here, and I can see how it really stretches them physically, spiritually, and mentally. Sado, a young Somali woman with four children, relates how people can feel the fast in Ramadan back home. This is due to the majority of people fasting and whole families breaking the fast together. One can express generosity easily by inviting the poor, relatives, and neighbors in to an abundant iftar meal. While in London, you just feed yourself and your family with a modest meal. Despite that, she states that Somali families still manage to financially support relatives and the poor back home by sending monthly payments, and the zakat al-mal and zakat al-fitr in Ramadan.Iftar back home is a communal event where every member of the family is normally present. The Maghrib Prayer is recited together, with the iftar meal following and everyone catches up with each other and relates how his or her day was. As minorities in London, Somalis find it incredibly difficult to practice a traditional iftar, except perhaps on weekends, because of the long days in schools, colleges, universities, and workplaces. However, Muslims have adapted their traditional fasting practices to Western living by holding communal daily iftars and prayers in educational establishments and workplaces. Consequently, they educate those around them, Muslim and non-Muslim, that Ramadan is just as relevant here and now.Whenever I attended the Tarawih Prayers back home in Somaliland, I noticed how young the mosque goers were, particularly the women, and how the married and elderly women stayed at home to recite the Qur'an alone. Over here, I have witnessed Somali women aged even in their 60s regularly attend the Tarawih Prayers in numerous mosques across London. They have even acquired a reputation for their high attendance at my local masjid in Shepherd's Bush, where they make up a significant proportion of those praying. They feel very proud, and I can read the devotion in the lines on their faces, their stooped postures, their unusual silence during the prayers, and subsequently in their tortured expressions following the du`aa’ (supplication) with the imam. Hodan, a young Somali mother, comments on this phenomenon saying how men, women, and adolescents back home used to complete the Ramadan duties but didn't understand their benefits and blessings as they do now in the diaspora. She says this is the case for most Muslim ethnic minorities in the West because of the Islamic revival of the last 30 years.Those women who cannot attend the Tarawih Prayers in the masjids recite them at home, alone or in small groups, as they used to back home. I myself adapted my prayers to my home environment when I could not attend the masjid. When I was single I prayed with a local friend taking it in turns to lead and recite directly from the mushaf (copy of the Qur’an). I have discovered these practices occur across the Muslim community here in London, particularly among women. It seems to be the return of a most welcome lost sunnah that actually empowers women by lifting them into the spiritual realm from the mundanities of domestic life and childrearing. Sado adds that another revived sunnah—i`tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque)—has enjoyed increasing popularity by men and women over here, while women never attended i`tikaf in their home towns in Somaliland.Due to the financial dependence poorer relatives have on more prosperous ones within the Somali culture and the absence of a welfare system, Somali families normally provide for their relatives and the needy back home. They also send their zakat al-fitr in mid-Ramadan so they can eat and dress well for the `Eid Al-Fitr celebrations. These celebrations are extremely important, and whole families still continue to attend `Eid Prayers together over here. Cooking in Ramadan and for the the `Eid day is substantial in the Somali community, but not so much that it hinders women from attending Tarawih and `Eid Prayers. This is unlike other Muslim communities in the United Kingdom, where swapping iftar invitations and consequently preparing various complicated, sumptuous dishes prevents women from the spiritually nourishing experience of Tarawih and `Eid Prayers in the masjid.Sado meditates over how her small children will cope with fasting in Ramadan in years to come and the obstacles they may face. A way to combat the fear of feeling “other” perhaps is to maximize on the familiarity of Ramadan in Britain. The Muslim community could use Ramadan as month to embrace non-Muslims and educate them about Islam in a positive manner, through activities in homes, educational establishments, and masjids. All they need is an invitation.
|
Back to main page
|
|
A Britain of Lakes, Lochs, Loughs And Tarns
As I travel through Britain on many a hike or climb it can be very hard to not come across a body of water in some shape or form. Why even a National Park, the Lake District is named from bodies of wa (12/11/2012)
|
|
Tourism Ministers to debate barriers to travel
Reducing visa constraints, simplifying entry processes and developing policies that improve connectivity across borders are the topics on the agenda for the worlds Tourism Ministers as they meet (31/10/2012)
|
|
|
|
|
Live like James Bond
To celebrate the release of Skyfall we explore Bond’s Britain. The UK is the home of James Bond and his creator, Ian Fleming, so where better to live like the world-famous spy?
(10/10/2012)
|
|
|
|
|
There's more to London than sport, says Boris Becker
Tennis legend Boris Becker urges Games spectators to make the most of their visit to London, regretting the many times that he played tennis over the years without ever getting chance to properly expl (12/08/2012)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sports tours and museums in London
Football, cricket, rugby, golf: name a sport and there\'s a good chance we Brits invented it, wrote the rules or are just plain obsessed by it. And if playing or watching your favourites isn\'t enough (09/07/2012)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shakespeare: staging the world
During the summer of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games the British Museum is presenting a major exhibition on the world and works of William Shakespeare, supported by BP
(22/04/2012)
|
|
Coasteering and Cliff-diving in Wales
I am coasteering along the Pembrokeshire coastline of West Wales, getting a taste of the country’s wild side. Along with my group of travel partners, our wits and courage are put to the test.
(18/03/2012)
|
|
Hajj: Journey to the heart of Islam
The final exhibition in the British Museum’s series on spiritual journeys. This is the first ever major exhibition dedicated to the Hajj; the pilgrimage to Mecca which is central to the Muslim (17/02/2012)
|
|
|
|
Showing 30 news articles Back
To Top
|
UK
The news that published in Islamic Tourism Trade Media
Show year 2012 (30) Show year 2011 (42) Show year 2010 (7) Show year 2009 (13) Show year 2008 (39) Show year 2007 (46) Show year 2006 (37) Show year 2005 (62) Show year 2004 (57) Show year 2003 (11) Show all (344)
The articles
which appeared in Islamic Tourism magazine
Camley Street Nature Park: Wilderness in the heart of London Issue 73 Impressive Middle Eastern stands at World Travel Market Issue 73 Three anniversaries for London’s Mesopotamian story telling group Issue 73 London’s lesser known parks ideal for autumn walks Issue 72 Signs, Symbols Secrets: London’s Science Museum sheds light on alchemy Issue 72 Enduring Middle East: Scottish artist follows in the footsteps of Orientalist painter David Roberts Issue 71 An Interview with Mr. Ben Harper, Director of Sales & Marketing for Go Native Apartments in London Issue 71 Ramadhan in London Issue 71 Leptis Magna fascinates famous war photographer Issue 70 Middle Eastern states showcase heritage at London Book Fair Issue 70 Education, Knowledge, Networking and Entertainment at MPI event, the EMEC Issue 68 World Hajj & Umrah Convention, 11-12 February 2012, British Museum, London–UK Issue 68 Hyde Park’s Winter WonderlandEnchanting fairground for the festive season Issue 67 Rye: a quaint historic town in East Sussex Issue 67 Arab Spring Countries At World Travel Market Optimistic About Tourism Issue 66 Exciting Horizons From New Exhibitors At WTM Issue 66 London’s Shubbak Festival: Penetrating flash of insight into Arab culture Issue 65 Heracles to Alexander the Great: Treasures from the Royal Capital of Macedon Issue 65 British Museum's Afghan exhibition extended due to popular demand Issue 63 Hadrian’s WallA walk through history in Britain’s idyllic country side Issue 63 British Museum Showcases Omani Jewellery Issue 62 Hyde Park’s Winter WonderlandBigger And Better Every Year Issue 60 Middle East & North Africa Travel Association (MENATA) launched at World Travel Market Issue 59 Windsor: The Largest Inhabited Castle In The World Issue 59 Aladin's Cave Re-discovered: London's Silver Vaults Issue 59 World Cup Puts Africa Ahead Of The Tourism Game Issue 59 London's Garden MuseumOasis Of Tranquillity In A Majestic Church Building Issue 58 Pitzhanger Gallery & HouseCulture At Its Best In West London Issue 58 British Library Showcases Magnificent Maps Issue 57 Ramadan In London: Muslims And Non Muslims Celebrate Spirituality And Diversity Issue 56 West WycombeOverground Walks, Underground Caves Issue 56 Dickens HouseInsight Into The Life Of A Great Novelist Issue 56 Holland ParkEntertainment In Tranquil Surroundings Issue 56 Chatham and Gillingham: Britain›s Historic Ports Issue 55 London International Fine Art Fair: Beauty & Elegance Issue 55 Ashridge EstateFocal Point of Walks in the Chilterns Countryside Issue 54 Fortnum & Mason Showcases British Crafts Issue 54 Wales offers middle east travellers family fun adventures Issue 54 London Canal MuseumThe Capital's Waterways Then And Now Issue 53 London EyeA Bird's Eye View Of An Amazing City Issue 53 British Museum Showcases Muslim World's Extraordinary Legacy Issue 52 Historic Baths Draw Visitors To English Country Town Issue 51 First Nations Contribution To Winter Olympics Showcased By Canadian High Commission in London Issue 51 British Museum Introduces Native North American Indian Rituals Issue 51 Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland: an ideal day out for the family Issue 50 Chasing MirrorsLondons Arabs Exhibit Work At National Portrait Gallery Issue 50 Stratford-upon-Avon thrives on Shakespeare's legacy Issue 49 MoctezumaMyth Comes To Life In British Museum's Aztec Exhibition Issue 49 Magic of Arab calligraphy attracts students from four continents Issue 49 Hampton CourtA great day out at a wonderful palace with magnificent gardens Issue 48 AfricaTremendous potential for the development of tourism Issue 48 Impressive middle eastern stands at world travel market Issue 48 SouthallLondon's Little India Issue 47 Warwick CastleBringing the past to life Issue 46 London University Showcases Work of Kazakh Craftswomen Issue 46 Southend-on-Sealegendary pier, impressive fair grounds Issue 46 AveburyA mysterious present from the past Issue 45 Britain’s Premier Holiday Location Now Easier to See Issue 44 HampsteadLanes, Alleyways, Historic Houses, Quaint Boutiques Issue 44 StonehengeMagnificent, Magical And Mysterious Issue 44 ZipangMesopotamian story-tellers bring ancient tales to life in London Issue 44 Arabic Translation of Obama's biography announced at London book fair Issue 42 British & Ireland Issue 41 Leigh-on-Sea (UK)An Upper Class Fishing Village Where Heritage Is Everything Issue 38 The Lure of the EastBritish Orientalist Painting Issue 36 The New ForestAn Experience Of Peaceful English Life Issue 35 Adventure Travel ShowIntroducing Challenging Destinations Issue 34 HastingsThe 1066 Country Issue 33 African States Eager To Promote Islamic Sites Issue 33 China`s Terracotta Army Exhibitionat the British Museum Issue 32 Luxury Travel Fair Issue 31 AdvertITW - Advertise in ITW Issue 30 SacredThe British Library’s Visual Feast Of Holy Texts Issue 30 AdvertITW - Advertise in ITW Issue 30 BTTFBritish travel trade fair - 2007 Issue 29 AdvertArabian Travel Market 2007 Issue 28 DestinationsExcellent introduction to unique attractions Issue 28 SouthamptonHistory Comes Alive In The Old Town Issue 27 WTM 2006Emphasis on the link between sport and tourism Issue 27 Spain Lives In PueblaMexico’s City Of Angels Issue 27 HerefordRural England At Its Best Issue 26 Ramadan In BritainSpiritual Havens In A Secular Society Issue 26 Buckingham PalaceWhere the Queen lives and works Issue 25 British Travel Awards 2006Who are the best companies in the travel industry? Issue 25 Activities of the arab tourism organisation Issue 24 AdvertIslam Expo Issue 24 1001 InventionsEnlightened Tribute To Muslim Discoveries Issue 23 Britain Hosts Festival of Muslim Cultures Issue 22 London's International Travel ShowsAttract Muslim Countries Issue 22 World Travel MarketArab and Muslim presence grows from strength to strength Issue 21 GreenwichWhere time began Issue 20 Forgotten EmpireThe british museum in london is hosting a magnificent ... Issue 20 AdvertIT Noor Issue 20 TrafalgarThe decisive battle reinvented by tourism Issue 18 DestinationsNewcomers set up impressive stands Issue 17 CardiffFrom the Industrial Revolution to Yemeni Mosques Issue 17 The Muslim WorldAn ideal adventure travel destination Issue 16 HajThe most sacred journey on earth Issue 15 World Travel MarketArabs optimistic despite Middle East's negative image Issue 15 The Muslims in LondonStriving for self-sufficiency without isolation Issue 14 Britain embracedIslamic culture before immigrants arrived Issue 13 Awards to Islamic TourismInspire confidence Issue 13 The Rise of Islamic TourismInternational conference discusses effect of 9/11 ... Issue 13 British Travel Trade FairBosses predict 'best-ever' ... Issue 11 Nine eleven sep asideMuslim countries are popular with tourists Issue 10 The arab and muslim worldsTremendous potential for the development … Issue 10 The ThamesLondon's lifeline, England's pride Issue 8 EdinburghThe Muslim community of Edinburgh and their central mosque Issue 6 WTMWorld Travel Market - London Issue 5 LondonWorld Travel Market 2001 Issue 2 |
|