Eid Mubarak to one and all.
Not a clue what does the season of Ramadan or Ramzan symbolise, whatever be it I am sure it was time to reflect on our deeds / actions, and ask forgiveness for all the wrong we have done, and make ourselves a better person.
Anyways this is my second Ramadan season in Sultanate of Oman. I prefer it to be written as Sultanate of Oman rather than Oman, sounds royal. Of course it’s a sultanate, she has got her Sultan. A mighty spirited person, who has got a vision for his country, heard this country has prospered very much under his guidance and God’s Blessings. Oh I again deviated from what I started...oops.
As said it’s my Second Ramadan in this beautiful country, actually it’s the third time I am experiencing the whole Ramadan Kareem. First was when I was in Hyderabad, though I was 3 years in Hyderabad it was only once I had the first hand experience. Hey don’t get me wrong when I say first hand experience, I did not fast, no no, but definitely I used to be a part of the Iftar ceremony. Yes it was basically fruits, dates, juice, and savouries to any onlooker but for a person who is a part of it, will understand the love and the happiness they share. Ok I am in the QA dept and most of these colleagues with whom I used to join for iftar was from Maintenance dept. and i dont think I need to tell, Maintenance and QA are enemy depts. (professionally speaking), but in cafeteria it was simply great. Hey I used to even go late so I can be a part of them. It was simply great to be a part of their tradition.
Last year when Ramadan season, (my first in a Muslim dominated country) the impression what I was given was “be careful if you do something wrong you will rot in jail for ever”. No idea from where did that impression come from, but yes was bit scared I have to say. Fortunately I was not on Santa’s naughty list, so no jail for me..lol. I am not very much an eater so the closed shops were not much of a concern to me. It was like another day to me, oh ya had quite a few off days . But this year is a total new experience.
Ok remember the friend who made me cry, he is basically a Muslim. He used to send quotes from the Holy Book, along with its translations, and definitely it’s good to read words of wisdom at the beginning of the day. While speaking to him I got a different view of the whole season, and my respect for the people who observe the fasting/ ‘Roza’ grew tremendously. Of course he is a very close minded person when it comes to his traditions (which I do condone), but from him I learnt this. Ramadan (Iftar basically) is a time for families to come together, a time were the doors of the houses and hearts are thrown wide open to spread love happiness. The phrases “I care for you, I am there for you” were resonated in their actions. Most of us expatriate who are bachelors or living alone, we were invited to be a part of their joy and happiness. It’s a great feeling when you are a part of a family, when you feel there is someone who cares for you, never are there words to express it.
In between this overwhelming feeling, I had to come to few oil camps for professional reasons and here I got an entirely different experience. And it did hurt me very bad. I did not find the brotherhood or love that I had experienced earlier, but somehow the whole Iftar was just reduced to a time to Hog. I am terribly sorry to use the word, but that what I saw. The whole sprit of the season was missing. Demands for certain food items were over the top. I’ll have to say the catering crew is doing a great job, preparing meals for fasting and non fasting people, and on top putting up with all these tantrums....uff. Felt like Roza has just reduced to mere fasting, the compassion in words and actions, peace of the heart, do good time etc the phrases associated with Ramadan season was missing.
I have one request to all, these season of Ramadan, season of Lent or whatever is we call; it’s a time to show compassion. Let’s all be considerate. Hey i do feel like i have given a sermon, hmmmm. In school, when i was asked whats my ambition, i used to tell that i wanted to be a Father/priest, dont get the idea that i was very religious and stuff, i just liked the clothes which priests wore. .. lol, may be i should have.
