REMNANTS OF RAMADAN

 

HOLIDAY WEAR FOR BOYS

A vest like this is often worn over the white dress for holidays

Traditional dress is worn during the Eid holidays when Ramadan ends

Fancy gold trim is often used to fancy up holiday garments

 

END OF RAMADAN

Another Ramadan ends today. Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends!

Dates are often eaten to break the fast at the end of the day during Ramadan.

During Ramadan many shops are closed during the day, they but do a thriving business at night.

 

RAMADAN BANNERS

Tiny shop with Ramadan lanterns and banner

Ramadan banner under colorful fish shop sign

Walking by, dressed in white

 

RAMADAN DISPLAYS IN SUPERMARKETS

Ramadan display for Coca Cola from the front and back (above and below)

Ramadan display for salad dressing

Another Coca Cola Ramadan display

 

AT A JEDDAH MALL

I like the festive banners in this shop.

Can you spot the employee in the photo above? She's rather hard to see, but she's right in the middle of the pic.  

Whimsical Ramadan decor at a local mall

 

FOOD TRUCKS IN JEDDAH

These food trucks were spotted in northeast Jeddah along Prince Mutaib bin Abdulaziz Road during Ramadan.  There were quite a few spread out along several blocks.  I'm sure they are quite busy at night once the daily fast has ended.

 

AROUND A SHOPPING CENTER

Ramadan banners adorn the front of this shop

Colorful print abayas and matching scarves

More Ramadan decor - moons, stars, teapots

 

TODAY'S RANDOM PICS

I asked but didn't find out what this lifesize plastic cannon was doing in this store during Ramadan. Several employees couldn't even tell me.

My husband wanted watermelon so we pulled over when we saw this truckbed full of them. He picked one out but the vendor never showed up, so we just left without a watermelon.

I liked the architectural detail of this building. It looks rather European to me.

 

RANDOM PICS AROUND JEDDAH

A Sugar Cane Juice shop

Stuffed grape leaves are popular during Ramadan

(This brand name Al Sawsan translates to The Susan) 

Colorful shopping area in Jeddah

 

A True Ramadan Story of Forgiveness

During this month of April, I am fasting with my Muslim husband, even though I myself am not Muslim. I do it, despite the 100 degree heat, despite the caffeine withdrawal headaches I get, despite the constant grumblings of my stomach.  I do it because I love him and respect him, and I personally feel that it would be insensitive for me to eat in front of him while he is fasting.

Many people around the world have very little knowledge about Islam and its teachings. So I thought I would share a real life example of what being a Muslim is during this holy month of Ramadan.  What follows is the true story of a man who lives his religion through his actions.  This is the REAL Islam.

In 2001, Rais Bhuiyan was a 28 year old Dallas resident, an immigrant from Bangladesh. He had been an officer in the Bangladesh Air Force and then found himself studying computer technology in New York City.  He later moved to Dallas at the urging of a friend who offered him a partnership in his gas station. 

Mark Stroman, also of Dallas, was a 31 year old lifelong career criminal, meth addict and a white supremacist.  After the 9/11 attacks, Stroman decided to take revenge and went out armed with the intent of killing any Arab/Muslim looking men he came upon, targeting convenience stores.  He murdered 46 year old Waqar Hasan, a Pakistani immigrant, in a grocery store. 

A few days later (10 days after 9/11) Stroman again went out looking for revenge at a gas station convenience store in Dallas.   Rais Bhuiyan was working behind the counter.  Stroman raised his shotgun,  shot Bhuiyan in the face, and fled. Bhuiyan was severely injured but still alive. A couple of weeks later, Stroman shot and killed an Indian immigrant, Vasudev Patel, age 49, in nearby Mesquite, TX.  Patel was not even Muslim; he was Hindu. Not one of these three men were Arabs either.

Fortunately Stroman was soon captured. From his jail cell, he proudly spoke to news stations about what a great patriot he was for exacting his revenge on Muslims – innocent Muslims who had nothing at all to do with the events of 9/11.  Stroman was tried for murder, was found guilty, and was sentenced to death.

Meanwhile Bhuiyan was bankrupted and left deep in debt from his medical bills. He had to endure countless surgeries and permanently lost the sight in one of his eyes. He still lives with over 35 pellets in his face to this day. 

Forgiveness is a major teaching of Islam. Islam also says that saving one human life is the same as saving all of mankind. So despite all the pain and hardships Bhuiyan had endured, he chose to forgive Stroman for what he had done. But not only that, Bhuiyan also took up the cause to save Stroman from the death penalty, filing a lawsuit to try to stop the execution.

Because of Bhuiyan’s actions, Stroman finally expressed his remorse over what he had done. However Bhuiyan’s attempt to save his attacker failed. Stroman was executed in 2011.  A documentary film called “An Eyefor an Eye” was released in 2016 about this tragic true story.

Before his death, Stroman was quoted as saying “I have the Islamic Community joining in my legal defence, spearheaded by one very remarkable man named Rais Bhuiyan, who is a survivor of my hate. His deep Islamic beliefs gave him the strength to forgive the unforgiveable. That is truly inspiring to me and should be an example for us all. The hate has to stop. We are all in this world together.”

Leading by example, Rais Bhuiyan today works to make this world a better place for everyone and trying to save mankind in his own way. He started his own non-profit organization called World Without Hate, spreading his message of love, forgiveness, and acceptance.

Sources: 

Rais Bhuiyan, American: If someone shot you in the face and left you for dea, would you try to save his life?  Esquire Magazine article, Dec 2011

20 Years After a White Supremacist Almost Killed Him, He's Dedicated His Life to Changing Hearts 

Rais Bhuiyan - Wikipedia

Mark Anthony Stroman - Wikipedia

RAMADAN SPECIALS

Ramadan lights on sale

Traditional clothing, lanterns, and other things

Special store set-up selling sweets for Ramadan

 

MORE RAMADAN DECOR

More Ramadan decor. Happy Ramadan!

 

RAMADAN DECOR FOR HOME

In addition to businesses, many homes are also decorated during the Ramadan observance.

Since I moved to Saudi Arabia in 2007, I have seen a huge increase in the variety of Ramadan decorations available in stores.

 

RAMADAN DECOR FOR BUSINESSES

Ramadan tentatively starts tomorrow (scientifically depending on the moon) and will run through the entire month of April.  Ramadan is the religious observance for Muslims when they are required to fast during the daylight hours of each day for a whole month.  No food or drink can pass through their lips from sun-up to sundown. In fact smoking and sex are also restricted as well.  It is a time for reflection, feeling closer to God/Allah, and assisting with the needs of people not as fortunate.  Many businesses spruce up with banners, lights, and other Ramadan decor.

 

 

RAMADAN IS ALMOST HERE

Mall window displays wishing a Happy Ramadan

Ramadan is just around the corner. It is the month when Muslims fast during the day. Each day from sun up until sundown, food and drink cannot be consumed.  The fast is broken when the sun goes down each evening.  This year Ramadan will take place during the whole month of April, beginning on April 1st and ending on the 30th.  

 

I'm Ba-a-ack! And Ramadan is Coming

Red, white and blue Ramadan banners in a supermarket

Ramadan staples, like oatmeal, in supersized displays for stocking up

Ramadan decor dresses up the produce section

I recently returned to Saudi Arabia after spending seven busy months in the US.  I'll be blogging now for a short time and then I'm going to be retiring from blogging. The plan is to spend more time back in the US and just do shorter visits back to Saudi Arabia instead of living here full time. My blogs will still remain online.