Let's Say Hello to Ramadan - Destination KSA

On the 23rd of March, a month of celebration, devotion and familial unity begins. Prepare for the festivities with us!

Ramadan is a month most sacred and significant to Muslims around the world. Every year, the Muslim community is brought together to share this duty and make the most of it. Here’s what we’re looking forward to this Ramadan!

What better way to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of fasting and giving back to the community than by surrounding yourself with decorations of Ramadan? Hang up the lights on your streets and in your rooms. Display those crescent moon ornaments and Ramadan lanterns to bring the spirit of this holy month into your home! With such an ambience, it will make it far easier to get through the day. Don’t forget to decorate the kitchen where the magic happens! It has to be a pleasant environment for whoever is cooking before Iftar. I went to Al Balad in Jeddah for the first time recently and was hit with a taste of traditional nostalgia. This Ramadan, you may help local businesses by purchasing your fanoos and lights from them!

Every year, a highlight of Ramadan is caring for the underprivileged and feeding those who cannot find sustenance. You may contribute Sadaqah to feed children globally by visiting Unicef Gulf or make donations of varying purposes to Ehsan Charity Platform in KSA. As Allah instructed us in the Quran, “And be steadfast in your prayer and pay charity; whatever good you send forth for your future, you shall find it with Allah, for Allah is well aware of what you do” (Quran 2:110). Additionally, you can donate to the Saudi Food Bank “Itaam” here for them to distribute excess food to those who do not have the means to eat. We all know how much food can be wasted in Ramadan, especially! Don’t waste it, give it to someone who needs it instead.

A familial outing during Ramadan is also one of the most important parts of the month. Take your loved ones to various shopping malls, where joyful activities take place or invite them out to a restaurant for iftar. (Whoever usually cooks will adore you for relieving them of the responsibility for the day.) Many restaurants, as well as delivery apps, will certainly have offers for Ramadan!

Lastly, one cannot forget appetizers of course, which are a must on every Iftar table! Go shopping or order online before Ramadan starts and stock up on dates, soups, and samosas for a most joyful first iftar this year. My personal favorites are lentil soup and Ajwa dates which I grew up eating. When I think of Ramadan, my mother’s voice rings in my ears, saying “You’re going to fill your stomach with dates, start eating the actual meal!” But while the main dish is sure to be the highlight of the sufra during iftar, it’s the appetizers that put me in the spirits of Ramadan and remind me of its warm, homely qualities.