Iāve looked through this forum and realised there were new posts every 25th of December, which makes sense - Christmas is the big celebration around here. But I think it would be nice to add another tradition into the mix.
Ramadan is starting around now for my Muslim neighbours, so Iāve been thinking about it a bit. Itās a month where Muslims fast from dawn until sunset - not for 30 days straight, just during the daytime -and they do this for about a month. They fast to know what itās like experiencing hunger, so you appreciate what you have and reflect on gratitude and empathy. And when the sun sets, they break their fast with some incredible food, which they often share with neighbours (lucky me!)
A fun fact: some people fast for health reasons too. It can support things like weight management and reducing inflammation.
This part of Sydney is very multicultural - we had lanterns up for Chinese New Year not long ago. Right now some streets are decked with crescent moon decorations and fairy lights. Itās a really nice vibe.
All these traditions make the neighbourhood and surrounding streets alive. Share some of your own traditions too - itās fun hearing how other people celebrate theirs!
I say to my neighbours āRamadan Mubarakā which means āBlessed Ramadanā in Arabic. Or you can say āRamadan Kareemā, which has a similar meaning. If youāre not familiar the traditional phrases, a simple āWishing you a peaceful and blessed Ramadanā is perfectly appropriate.
Iām not sure if they have much choice.
Iāve been multiple times to Egypt during Ramadan and I never saw locals eat during the day. As soon as the sun sets the party starts though.
By the way the time of 40 days of fasting startet also for many Christian communities last Wednesday. Lent - Wikipedia
Iāve tried fasting a few times and I just follow the way Muslims do it - wake up before dawn, eat something energising then go back to sleep (Muslims would probably stay up to perform spiritual actions), wake up again and do my daily activites to ignore the hunger (boy, the hunger!) then break my fast at sunset.
Muslims get the hang of it early - from the start of puberty, its obligatory to fast, which is why they probably do it so easily.
Yeh, Lent. Religion used to mean something in Ireland. We were a dominantly Catholic country and it shaped everything schools, families, even the social calendar. I was raised Catholic myself.
But now a lot of it feels cultural rather than spiritual. Communion and Confirmation can seem more about the envelope money than the sacrament. Parents organise the big day, but donāt darken the church door much before or after.
Shrove Tuesday becomes pancake day. Ash Wednesday passes by with barely a smudge. Lent is something people vaguely āgive up chocolateā for. And then on Good Friday the one day youāre meant to skip meat youāll still see lads outside the chipper with burgers in hand.
Itās not a judgement, just an observation. The rituals are still there. The meaning behind themā¦ not so much.
Iām not the religious type. Iām not the tradition type. Iām not superstitious. But I do respect the discipline behind it. A month of reflection, restraint, and gratitude takes serious commitment. Even if itās not my path, I can appreciate the intention behind it.
I would say that fasting, then it depends on every country or every person. For example, Muslims that practice fasting on Ramadan then they began when they are really young. Persons and bodies have different customs (Western people and people from the Middle East).(This is just a suggestion) If someone wants to practice fasting, just remember to be careful with your internal organs (specially stomach) just check with a doctor or nutritionist what are the good or the opposite of fasting.
Right now some streets are decked with crescent moon decorations and fairy lights. Itās a really nice vibe. 