Ramadhan Kariim

Asalaam Aleykum

I would like to wish everyone a blessed Ramadhan. It's a blessed month of spiritual devotion to the Almighty God, time of self discipline as well as an opportunity to get closer to the family and community at large. For the upcoming 30 days, Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset and later with family and guests share a meal together and also attend Prayers at the Mosque.So, in it's essence people eat less and keep active through prayer and continuing with their daily livelyhood. And for alot of people Ramadhan is the time they lose weight and for the unfortunate few a time to put on weight.

As fewer meals are consumed, the women of the house get busy to present different foods and delights at the table for Iftar - Time of breaking the fast. Different countries have different customs and favorite dishes one thing we all have in common is muslims prefer to break their fast with dates or water as it was an act the Prophet Mohammed(SAW) liked doing i.e Sunnah. In Tanzania throughout Ramadhan alot of snacks will be made the likes of Bajia (fritters), katlesi (Meat or egg chops), Sambusa(Samosa), Kaymati, kashori.Some communities like to break their fast with porridge(uji) like shurba made out of rice (Uji wa mchele), Black eyed peas (Uji wa kunde). The main course can consist of rice, breads - Chapati, Mkate wa ufuta(Sesame bread),Mkate wa Maji(Kimis bed/ crepe/pancakes), Mkate wa Ajemi , mandazi, mahamri eaten with different michuzi(stews) either made from meat, fish or mboga(veges). Other staples commonly consumed are Mhogo (Cassava) Viazi vitamu or Ndizi mbichi za Nazi (Cassava, sweet potatoes or Green Banana in coconut cream). Honestly there is alot to offer. Last comes dessert - Custard is a local favorite,creme caramel, faluda(rice grass pudding),fruit salad, ndizi mbivu/mkono wa tembo za nazi ,kaymati ,tambi za kukaanga(Adriyada,fried vermicelli with raisins), vitumbua or mkate wa kumimina/sinia (rice bread), chila, vipopo and vilosa. And throughout the evening there is alot of Tea and fresh juices to drink.
Back home the more people you can share your food with and the more charitable you can be is desired.People are more patient and considerate as everyone wants their fast to be accepted by the Almighty.

Ramadhan Makbul everyone!! Amin