A Non-Muslim’s Ramadan Experience

There is a lot going on in the skies this week. From the major transition of Uranus into Taurus to the New Moon in Taurus and the sun currently being in Taurus, we all will be feeling a lot of bull energy this week to say the least. But those aren’t the only major events going on in the world due to the planetary movements. Today’s New Moon also welcomes the beginning of Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam.

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, increased devotion and worship and self-sacrifice through fasting and obtaining from certain behaviors. Muslims across the world will be fasting from sunrise to sunset for the next 30 days .Yes that does mean almost 23 hours of sunlight in some places! It is also the month in which their Holy Book, the Qur’an, was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him).It is also believed the gates of Heaven are open during this month so all good deeds and extra prayers are encouraged.

It is a very special time for Muslims and in my personal experience, as a Non-Muslim, a beautiful experience to share and learn from Muslim neighbors. I experienced Ramadan for the first time June-July 2014. (Side note: the dates for Ramadan move every year so this year’s dates are roughly May 16th -June 15th 2018 but it moves forward every year about 10 days and always begins and ends with the New Moon)

This is me completing my first day of fasting during Ramadan on June 28th, 2014. Water never tasted sweeter…

I was a Peace Corps volunteer stationed in Morocco and I wanted to participate in fasting and learning about the predominant faith of my host country. I wanted to connect to my community and Moroccans as a whole since I had never attempted to fast so strictly in my life beforehand. I also had the added motivation of not only watching and observing how Moroccans fast and how they break fast (Get it? Haha) but also some of my fellow volunteers and good friends were American Muslims and I got to learn and compare how they would fast and, of course, break their fast.

To be brief, the biggest difference in the type of foods they eat during the allowed eating hours. In Morocco, the vibe and lifestyle of the whole country adapts to the slow, calm, reflective pace of Ramadan. So at night, the meals are often feasts with multiple courses and very grand displays of savory and sweets plates.

This is me and my American Fellow Peace Corps volunteer friend spending time with my extended host family during Iftar

Meanwhile, even though I have had Muslim friends, I had never noticed Ramadan in the U.S. America definitely doesn’t stop as a whole for a month and productivity is everything in our culture. Therefore, the average American Muslim, is preparing their meals to make the most sense to their work and responsibility demands. For example, as a college student or a full-time working person should prioritize meals that are not only filling but will leave you with more energy over time so your mental clarity and sharpness don’t dip as much. Meals with fiber and protein and pacing out how much water I drank were quite evident to me when I was breaking fast with my American Muslim friends. The picture below was a vegetarian Mexican inspired Iftar (meal that breaks your fast). In Morocco, Latin food is not readily available so this meal was a mission to create and heavenly to enjoy.

I have to say that as a Non-Muslim, I would have regretted the bonding and feeling of comradery and solidarity I shared with all the Moroccans I met during Ramadan if I had chosen not to fast. My Moroccan friends would teach me the ritual of cleansing your body for prayer which involves washing your hands, mouth, nostrils, arms, head, and feet with water and encourage me to learn their faith and how to pray but as I’m still unfamiliar with a lot that I should feel welcome to say my own prayer from my childhood faith or to simply talk to my Divine Higher Power while performing salat, Muslim prayer, alongside them. That was so welcoming and inviting me, I sometimes get emotional just remembering how powerful and deep the human desire to share and express spiritual/religious belief can be.

Morocco and Ramadan have left a deep-rooted mark on my heart and how I experience other cultures, religions, and how I travel. While Ramadan might not be something for every traveler to commit to or want to experience, I would definitely encourage you to give it a try. It could be in solidarity with your Muslim co-worker so they don’t feel so alone while everyone is having lunch in the office. It could be to bond with the staff in the local Riad, traditional Moroccan home/hotel architecture. They would be completely impressed that a Non-Muslim would want to experience Ramadan with them and may even invite you to their home to break fast with them!

If you liked getting an insight on a Non-muslim’s Ramadan experience, stay tuned for more posts on Morocco from me. Also, if you already have an itch to explore and experience Morocco firsthand, I’m excited to share that I will be traveling to Morocco in 2019 as part of the Around the World Beauty team! Our first tour booked up completely on its opening day and due to popular demand, we are making a second tour! For more information, sign up for May 7th – May 16th 2019 on our *Morocco Beauty Journey*

Written and Images: by Brenda Garcia Jaramillo

Also, check out this beauty Saharan Beauty Inspired Makeup look by Around the World Beauty Founder, Stephanie Flor!

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