Amani Dabaja: "Everything is open at night ..."
In Muslim countries, days and nights seem to shift during Ramadan. In growing Muslim communities in the U.S., this same cultural transformation takes place during the month of fasting, although it’s a challenge in a Western culture that doesn’t shift its working hours with the minority Islamic community. Nevertheless, in predominantly Muslim neighborhoods, you can find cafes and restaurants open until the wee hours of the morning — and circles of friends talking long into the night. Here’s the story of a university student, Amani Dabaja:
Ramadan and going to school can be very challenging. Food is not a problem for me. But if I don’t have water sometimes, I get a headache. When you’re fasting, you don’t feel like opening a book because my brain can’t function without water and food. I try to wake up in the morning, drink as much water as I can, and have something to eat. During the day, I don’t exercise because I don’t want to put my health in danger.
When it’s time to break fast, our whole family is home, so we break fast together. We sit down as a family; we may watch TV. Sometimes we’ll listen to the Quran. That’s the whole point of Ramadan. We try to get closer to God.
I’m thankful because when I fast during the day, I think of other people. We’re fortunate because we drink water and eat food everyday. I imagine all those people who wish they had a piece of bread. I look around me, and I don’t need anything. I have a roof over my head, and I’m going to school. I’m very thankful.
I love breaking my fast with chicken soup. I don’t jump in to something big. I’m not a picky eater. I like anything that’s put in front of me.
During Ramadan, I love going to Dearborn at night. It kind of reminds of back home. When I go to Lebanon, everything is open at night. Dearborn is like a little Middle East. I go hang out with friends and family at a restaurant or bakery. That’s my favorite thing.
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