What About Food During Ramadan? Ramadan in the UAE: Part 2

Last time we learnt Ramadan (in Arabic: رمضان, Ramadān) is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. During the whole month, observers of Islam fast from sunrise to sunset. During the fast, no food or drink is consumed, and thoughts must be kept pure. Followers of Islam believe that fasting helps learn patience, modesty, and spirituality. This session we are looking at special food during Ramadan.

Meals are served before sunrise and after sunset, and eaten with family or with the local community. Food plays a big role in celebrating Ramadan, with specialty dishes and drinks served during the Muslim fasting month. So here we will look at some of these foods.

During Ramadan, two main meals are served; the suhoor, which is served before dawn/sunrise the iftar, which is served after sunset. Both of the suhoor and iftar meals contain fresh fruit, vegetables, halal meats, breads, cheeses, and sweets.

Some popular traditional Ramadan dishes to try in Dubai -

Harira It’s a good idea not to eat too much too quickly when you break a fast. Salad is a good way of doing this, but the Emirati way is to grab a bowl of harira (or lamb, lentil and chickpea soup). Yes, salad and lentils can make you feel as though you’re at a vegetarian convention, but the warming soup relaxes the stomach after a day of fasting and offers a good source of fibre.

Milk and Dates It doesn’t sound too exciting, does it? But as it happens, breaking the fast with milk and dates is perhaps the most traditional method of all. They are always on Iftar tables, and the high sugar and vitamin content has many physical benefits too. Look out for the huge variety of dates now being sold in the supermarkets.

Harees This local delicacy can be found on Emirati tables throughout the year, but still is a regular Iftar feature. Shredded pieces of slow-cooked lamb and a mash of boiled wheat are pounded together with a heavy stick, or crushed in a wooden press. The heavy starchy mass usually makes a meal in itself, but over Ramadan it provides the base upon which other dishes are served, and is sometimes flavoured with cinnamon and cumin.

Does this look appetizing?

Kunafeh Abstaining during the day not only leaves fasters hungry, but also drained of energy, therefore it’s important to provide a quick fix. Sugary foods provide this much-needed energy and are an essential part of breaking the fast. Kunafeh is a firm favourite Arabic dessert and consists of a soft white cheese topped with cracked semolina baked to form a hard crust. This is served with a heavy, sweet syrup.

We live in a Muslim country which celebrates Ramadan each year and there are some other important things we need to think about during Ramadan. It’s not just about some food and coffee shops being closed during the day and not eating in public. Next time we will discuss some of the other things we should do and should not do during Ramadan. Part 3 – Ramadan Etiquette

Optional Activities - Quick Quiz/Discussion 1.Why do Muslims not eat during daylight hours in Ramadan? 2.What is Suhour? 3.What is the name of the meal eaten at sunset during Ramadan? 4.Which food do many Emiratis eat to break their fast? 5.Name two ingredients used to make HAREES. 6.If you had not eaten all day, what would be your favourite meal to break your fast? Why?