Browsing through the above article, which was written by Raal, a journalist who interviewed me about spending the holy month in Oman truly reminds me of the soon to come Ramadan, the sacred month for all Muslims and Me. Wow! How time flies ...
It is almost a year since I braved through my fasting time in a scorching hot summer season last year in Muscat. Now, Ramadan will be here again, precisely in about three weeks time. Alhamdulilah, indeed I'm looking forward to do my duty in this beautiful land for the third time. Insyallah.
One of the things that beautifully happened during fasting time in Muscat is observing the prayers and iftar together among the Malaysian community at weekends both in Rumah Malaysia and at other Malaysians' home. At other times, we were invited by our hospitable neighbors to break fast at their homes in a traditional Omani ways.
Normally, while waiting for the Azan, we would interact with the host / hostess families and with other invitees. Once the call of the prayers by the Muezzin is heard, the host invited us to breakfast with the delicious fresh Omani dates, followed by some desserts and drinks. It was indeed blissful to quench our thirst with some Zam Zam water and other drinks such as laban and also the signature lemon mint in such a lovely summer evening.
After the iftar, we took our ablution and performed the Maghrib prayer together in a true Muslim brotherhood and sisterhood feelings irrespective of our nationality. It was a wonderful blissful feelings of the heart when we made doa and followed by chanting of the Selawat to our Beloved Prophet Mohamad SAW during the hand shakes which only showed the strong ukhwah among us the Muslim people. Soon after, all of us gathered together for a special dinner which was prepared by the host and his family. Usually, it was a big feast with Omani delicious foodies such as harees, muqalab and mishkah as well as other sumptuous delicacies including the famous Um Ali and luqaimat ;)
Alhamdulilah, one day of fasting has passed and we look forward to the next day of performing our duty until its completion and also to welcome the Eid Fitri. However, during the holy month of Ramadan also we took the opportunity to perform the nightly congregational Terawih prayers at the host's home after the sumptuous iftar and isyak prayers. Although it is non obligatory or must-do, it is indeed advisable (sunat) to perform this prayer in Jamaah after the Isyak prayers. I truly enjoyed performing the Terawih prayers with fellow Muslimah where the focal point of these prayers is the focal point of Ramadan itself namely the Holy Quran.
Although, I do miss fasting like I did in my homeland, but with the strong ukhwah shown by my fellow countrymen and hospitable neighbors, the performing of fast during the holy Ramadan in Muscat is truly blessed. Alhamdulilah.
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