Food for thought in Ramadan

Muna Al-Fuzai

Although Ramadan is supposed to be the holy month of fasting and meditation, spiritually and physically, yet many Muslims, including those in Arab media, work hard to focus on two main items here, food and entertainment.

A very active movement on television is to produce many shows about cooking, along with entertainment series. As if we don’t have enough from both of these during the year.

Here in Kuwait we eat a lot, possibly because there is not much to do if you are not working, and if you hang out with friends you will often end up in a mall or at a restaurant . So, we don’t eat because we are starving, but as a habit and as part of a food ritual. This is not healthy and that is why obesity in Kuwait is spreading, especially among the young.

These days, kitchens become like bee hives before the iftar time. Every person in the family wants to prepare or give a hand, or possibly find a way to help to make food ready. But, aren’t we missing something here? Is filling the stomach the reason for fasting? Is that the lesson we need to learn?

Maids are the ones I really feel sorry for these days. They deserve a reward for all their hard work. They are the ones who carry the whole mission all the way from zero point to the clean up. The lady of the house may do some cooking, but when everyone has completed the eating ceremony no one wants to take away the dishes or have another look at the kitchen. So, the maids are the ones who take the lead in cleaning up all the chaos and do not leave until they are done and possibly prepare the kitchens for another round for the sohoor, the meal before fasting. So, for those of you who think that mission is easy, let me tell you that it is the most difficult and few would agree to do this work.

So, I can see the irony here when everyone wants to make food just for their pleasure and not for their belief, to give a hand, or ask the maid how she feels or even thank her for the work she does.

Ramadan is not about eating all kinds of food, and it is surely not about forcing the maid to work day and night like a slave, which is not fair. Aren’t we calling Ramadan the month of mercy?

I also see many people cook more food than they actually consume, with much of this food ending up in the garbage! This is such a waste. I wish to see this food goes to some poor people who would be appreciative. I fail to see why any family would cook more food than they would eat. There is an Arab saying that the eyes eat! I think this is ridiculous because you cook what is enough for your needs and not for your sight.

Ramadan moves quickly. One week is already over. I wish to see us learn the values and lessons for this month, rather than just focusing on how to fill our stomachs.

By Muna Alfuzai
muna@kuwaittimes.net

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