Ramadhaan South African Style.

So the blessed month of Ramadhaan is just a stone’s throw away and whilst many in the Arab world would be rejoicing and waiting anxiously for the month of the Quraan to set in, South African aunties are in panic mode making one savoury after the other, literally stocking up the freezer to feed an entire army. But what really fascinates me the most is the huge transformation of South African Muslims during the fasting month. Even the bushcrooks turn into buzrooks....lol..
For a start the television is turned off in every home for the entire duration of the month. Abaya shops are shockingly busy. Even Tassy and Naz who are frequent club goers have joined in the whole spirit of Ramadhaan. On every other day, they parade the shopping centres wearing boob popping tops coupled with a mini skirt and high heels. But for the month of Ramadhaan out comes the Swarovski bejewelled abayas with matching headscarves. No more pouty red lips, false nails and fake eye lashes lol. The neighbourhood suddenly comes to life once again as the neighbours kids quite excitedly visits your home to drop off a platter of savouries. Who’s son are you poppy? I haven’t seen your mummy and daddy the whole year....
Zaks who usually sports a funky hair cut and tries to emulate his favourite soccer star has suddenly grown a tiny beard. The funky branded clothing he usually wears has suddenly been replaced by a designer label thobe. Zaks makes sure he is in the first saf in the masjid at the time of fatoor.
For the entire fasting month, everyone tries their best to be perfect in every single way, until the day of Eid. Tassy, Naz and Zaks get into their luxury vehicles and make their way to the zoo lake to show off their new designer label outfits. Both ladies visited the dress designer three times to get the perfect fit they so desired. Tassy sports a sleeveless long dress with high slits whilst Naz wears a boob tube outfit. I guess if you have the assets why not flaunt it right lol....And whilst Tassy and Naz try to attract the singletons in the crowd, Zaks is trying to impress a young 17 year old lassie, Lemme show you how to groove baby at the club on Saturday night. You so hot, you make the sun feel shy.”

Meanwhile in the magical Kingdom Ramadhaan is special, a feeling that I will never ever be able to explain to anyone. Ramadhaan in the Kingdom is all about family. The entire country is on vacation and whilst everyone relaxes during the day after sunset at the time of breaking fast, the country comes to life. If you in the holy city of Makkah and Medina you will break your fast with millions of people simultaneously. Young Arab children will pull your hand and beg you to join their family for fatoor. There is a spirit of sharing, caring and giving. You become so overwhelmed with joy that tears automatically flow down your cheeks. Ramadhaan in the Kingdom is fun. There is an equal balance between prayer and engaging in fun activities with family and friends. How I long to be in the land of shifting sands for the month of Ramadhaan. But I guess this year I just have to contend with Ramadhaan South African style!