Iftar at the IUT, University of Comoros.
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is also one of the most sacred times of the year. Ramadan in Comoros begins on Tuesday, 12 march 2024, after sunrise. During this holy month, Comorian citizens together with Muslims around the world will take time to pray, worship Allah and reflect, as well as fast from dawn till dusk. Those of us observing Ramadan, they are forbidden to eat, drink, smoke or have sexual relations with their partners (husband or wife) from dawn to sunset. In addition, lying, gossiping, arguing, and quarrelling are not allowed to those who fast.
Throughout this holy month, those who fast during the day – after eating a meal known as suhoor or tsahu in Comorian language – until sunset, will have the privilege to break the fast with iftar, a lavish meal enjoyed among family members, friends and neighbors. Islamic law stipulates that children, youngsters under 15, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating and anyone who is sick, elderly, or travelling, are exempt from fasting.
The university institute of technology (IUT) of the University of Comoros is located at the campus site of Hamramba in Moroni. It organizes one time every Ramadan a lavish evening iftar where students and teachers are accustomed to share their recipes and chat together. The iftar dinner was scheduled this Friday 29th March which is the 18th day of Ramadan in Comoros.
The first evening iftar organized by the IUT started in 2019. The idea of breaking Ramadan fast in the campus is to bring students, professors, staff and faculty members together. Iftar is a home-cooked feast for the five senses. Every participant has to bring something special from home. Students’ families usually cook special recipes that have been collected over generations. Many Comorian traditional cakes made from rice or flour are served with meat, chicken or fish sauces. Some bananas, cassava edible roots, yams, sweet potatoes meals cooked with coconut milk -to name but a few - are also served.
As Ramadan is a month of many special prayers, people often go to the mosques to pray together not only the five daily compulsory prayers, but also to listen to Islamic lectures hold at many mosques in the afternoon and read the holy Koran as well, after each pray. Tarawih and witri are non-compulsory night prayers conducted after the evening iftar. Ramadan in Comoros is also a period of business activities. Many streets vendors invade the streets of the main cities of the country to sell their products. They usually sell food, clothes or shoes at reduced prices.
Fasting during Ramadan can be quite rigorous, especially during this hot and rainy season. Thus, doctors recommend eating well-balanced, nutritious, and filling meals when breaking the fast. According to doctors, fasting has many health benefits. It can help reduce fat, stress and prevent many diseases such as Alzheimer, stroke and some cancers.
For those observing Ramadan, and according to Islamic scholars, it is highly recommended to double your prayers during the last ten days of this pious month by doing good deeds every day until ‘Eid al-fitre celebrations on Wednesday, April 10. Giving money or food to poor or families in need is an example of good deed. May Allah (SWT) forgive us our previous sins. Amen.
Mouzawar Chami, contributing writer
