My Ramadan Experience @ UK

Finally the holy month of Ramadan started. This is my first visit to UK. As well first Ramadan also in UK. It was not that much worse as expected. But it turn out to be a unmemorable Ramadan for me, even though i missed my parents, relatives, and friends etc. I Thought of sharing my ramadan experience, and its wonderful memories with you!!

I remember my first fast. And very excited when my alarm ring up, woke up at dawn to a meal (Sahoor) before beginning the fast for the day. But that excitement didn't sustain me as the afternoon passed; I was so hungry. because i wasnt having the proper food. I was really really missing my mom and her food. At last, when the time for Iftar (the fast is broken at sunset) arrived, I wolfed down food with both hands (that day, I would have been really grateful for some extra pairs of hands and mouths). But again i felt the same loneliness. I was alone in my room and doing Iftar. I started feeling very bad for my stay in UK.

Islamic Society, University of Bristol:

Then came, First friday namaz in the holy month of Ramadan, i was deeply worried. Because i thought im gonna miss Taraweeh, Iftar with Jama-ath, Friday Jummah etc. things. Due to Allah subhahanahutala 's grace, i found a place, which is very nearer to my work and place of stay. (5 Mins walk both from my office and my place of Stay. Thanks to a Pak bro' who showed me a path). Then i went to Jummah prayer at Student Union, Islamic Society. Almost 150 (I may be wrong with the count) people came to pray. people from different countries, different languages, unite together for Islam having the name of Allah subhahanahutala.

Thats it, My journey and its association with Islamic Society has started off with flying colours. I have joined with them for Iftar, my first Iftar along with them. When i started eating the first day's chicken piece, i was happy to the core. (Becoz' after coming to Uk, i havent tasted Non-Veg food, becoz of HALAL crieteria). From then onwards, daily Ifatar's with delicious food, (Thanks to bros'- Who provided the food for the entire ramadan), drinks etc. Masha Allah, i got a chance to eat, different county food, lke Somalian, Algerian, Pakistani etc. I still remember the day in which the Somalian food has been served, myself and Khurrum (A Bro from bangaladesh) were unable to walk becoz of heavy food. After a nice Iftar, followed by Taraweeh, khateera's from bros, again delicious cakes and chocs. Refreshing food for both stomach as well as brain. My days were passing so good as ever.

My Chance to Contribute Islamic Society:

Even though i was trying to take part in Islamic Societies Ramadan activities, i was very far from the bros' who are regularly contributing towards Islam and islamic Societies ramadan activities. Here comes the chance for me. My first day Muthanna (President, ISOC) was talking about making a movie. I showed my interest towards that. That paid off finally. We have 2planned to make a movie about activities of ISOC in 2005.

Thank you very much for Mahmoud (A bro' from Syria) who helped me a lot in songs selection for the movie. He spent lot of time with me during the time of making the movie. From Which he became one of the good friend for me, i enjoyed his company through out my stay in UK. Thank you very much Mahmoud for accompaning me these days!! Finally the movie screening day has come, every body said " We did very good work". I was very happy to the core.

My Worry:

Days went off pleasantly and peacefully. We are on the final day of fasting. I was deeply worried, because after that i will be missing the people, missing the food, etc. Like every day at the same time, almost 70 -80 people assemble on the same place, discuss things, chat, eat, it was very gud. I am the one who will be missing them then onwards, because i am not a student. It is very hard to see them afterwards.

Eid Celebrations:

Ramzan ends with the festival of Eid-al-Fitr. Eid-al-Fitr is a time for folks to dress in their best clothes, make the tastiest of food, treat their kids and visit family and friends.

Finally the grand day has come, yes Eid Day!! Celebrations begun. Early morning i had a Web cam chat with my parents, bro' and my friend. Every body were telling like they were missing me so much. (Becoz i am missing my Eid regularly, last year i was in US, and this year in UK). They all showed their new new clothes etc. Then it is my turn, after the chat, i got prepared for Eid prayer. Dressed up, had food, and went to Student Union, to celebrate my Eid. Prayed with the bros, all around the world. Really, I dont have words to say my joy.

On Eid day I was away from my home, my city, my country, but still this Eid was very special for me.

Hits and Misses!!

* I have missed my dad’s sweet hug and blessing of my brothers. But i got so many bros hugs and blessings!!

* I have missed the naughtiness of children’s in my home, their energy and enthusiasm in making eid a especial occasion for us. Instead I have seen and taken pics of the naughtiness of children here at Islamic society.

* I have missed those special dishes cooked for this special event, mainly the Biryani cooked by ammi jaan (mom). Instead I got very good delicious cakes from bros.

* I have missed mine & my brothers efforts to make sure that everyone is well prepared for the eid , and nothing is missing for any one. Instead i was fully involving the Eid preparation activities here at Islamic Soceity.

* I have missed performing EID prayer with my family and friends and hugging each other after the prayers. Instead i got to know about bros all around the world. Masha Allah!!

In all I missed some thing, But i gained more, Finally i didnt lost my JOY of EID, the places were different and our passion towards Eid wasnt.

Some of the Interesting Moments:

* Some times I used to take a ride from Muthanna's car to my hotel, Interestingly he never stopped the car, in front of the hotel, Some times it is because of parking, some times due to the interesting talk happening in the car.

* Abdurrahman's (Financiar - ISOC) announcements daily night after Taraweeh. Because some times he used to forget what he is supposed to talk. But he used to recollect the things very fast and manages the talk.

* A nice discussion with Khurrum and Kamal, about different cultures, countires etc. things as well as with khurrum and Ali (A bro from Pak) about various aspects of islam and society. Interestingly in both the talks, we were discussing the things till 12.00 am, early morning!!.

* Ohh Yeah!! Quran Competition, i know i am gonna loss, but just thought of trying (Like,,, Keep trying, Keep on Trying!!). Dont ask the results? It is a secret!! But the interesting part was Muthanna's Tajweed after the competition. It was very good to know all those things, also the way that he explained was unforgettbale.

* Also, i forgot to tell about, Abdul Azeem (A tamilian settled in Singapore, Some politics position in ISOC, Sorry I am not sure). He was the first Tamilian i ever met in UK as well 2nd person in ISOC. When he started speaking in Tamil, i was very happy. because here i dont know any one to speak in Tamil. (Later Manesh joined with me, to speak in Tamil). He was born and brought up in Singapore, interestingly, his tamil was better than me. Ohh my god, if he starts about Tamil grammer, i will simply run away!!

* Yahya (Muthanna's Kid), a cute, smart kid. If you start watching him then you won't feel like going home. Some times i thought of going to my hotel after Iftar, but if i start playing with him, i will forget to go my hotel and most of the time i used to stay till Taraweeh.

Really hard to forget the days spent with Muthanna, Abdurahman, Brahms, Faris, Azeem, Amir, Akram, Mahmoud, and lot more ppls of ISOC. Really i wondered to see the their spirit towards Islam. It was a nice experience for me here in UK.

My memories of Ramadan-2006 have always been happy. Even though the period is very short (one month), but the stories are very big and interesting. Now i am going back to my country, carrying lots of wonderful moments, pictures, and the pleasant memories with ISOC.

A Special thanks to Islamic Society and Its members who made my Eid-2006, a memorable one!! Al-hamdhulillah, Allah has showered his highest mercy on me so that I will be able to enjoy Ramadan in UK!!

Thank you Again!!
Jazakum Allah Khairan!!