Our everyday life can often leave us feeling isolated and adrift. Throughout the year, we are all occupied in our own hustle. But with Ramadan, comes a beautiful wave of togetherness through the act of fasting experienced by muslims around the world.
This transforms the mundane into the meaningful and creates a unique bond built through gathering with loved ones and feeling that warm sense of community that we have been missing.
Iftar Gatherings
Let’s talk about Iftar or breaking fast? Some people prefer to break fast at home while others prefer at a mosque or make iftar plans with their friends and family at a restaurant. When it is time to break fast, the homes, restaurants and mosques just turn into a vibrant environment surrounded by people, especially your family and friends. People go beyond family and friends by sharing the blessing with those in need. It is not just to share a meal, but also chatting, laughing and renewing the sense of connection with your loved ones and the community while enjoying the feast.
Tharaweeh Prayer
The perfect example of togetherness can be seen during the Taraweeh prayer held throughout the month of Ramadan during night time. Mosques are filled to capacity and more as the Male’ area roads are taken by the people for the prayer. It also makes people joining the prayer feel a sense of belonging with the community while standing united, shoulder to shoulder with a shared devotion to Allah.
After Tharaweeh, 'Tharavees'
After the Tharaweeh prayers, we have a tradition of gathering for light snacks with friends and family which is also ‘Tharavees’ in Dhivehi. This is a common practice carried out by workplaces as well instead of planning iftars. This is a time where people come together to have a good time, spreading love and kindness to each other. It is a way of catching up with friends, family and colleagues to strengthen the family ties, friendships, work relationships that mean the most to us.
In this digital age, you can also easily connect with your loved ones and other muslims all over the globe through social media and technology. I see people sharing their Ramadan experiences. If you scroll through tiktok or instagram reels, you might even see special recipes for Ramadan shared by people. Also, many of the posts on social media offer words of encouragement. All of this combined creates a virtual community that spans continents.
The beauty of Ramadan lies in its ability to transcend age, social status, and background. It is time to mend broken bonds, reconnect with loved ones we have not seen in a while, and rediscover the strength that comes from shared purpose. In a world that often feels fragmented and divided, Ramadan offers a powerful reminder of the importance of community, compassion, and the unifying power of shared experience. It is a month that rekindles the spirit of togetherness and reminding us of the importance of connection and the joy that comes from sharing our lives with those around us.
So as Ramadan comes to a close and Eid al-Fitr approaches, we should all hold onto that feeling of togetherness and continue to stay connected with people that matter to us.