Home is always where the heart is and therefore witnessing any major event, whether religious or cultural outside of home never feels the same. Having lived in a non-predominant Muslim country for over four years, the Ramadan experience was surely different from what I was accustomed to. 

From my side of the world, Ramadan is viewed as one of the most important events in the Muslim calendar. Besides the fact that this is a month of fasting, prayer and reflection, this was also a moment where I had the opportunity to bond with my family as we prepared the endless meals together and eating together when it was time to break our fast. Being away from home however made the experience a tad bit lonely as I was all alone myself and, in a country, where the percentage of Muslims is just 0.3%. I would say without family around or people I could relate to as far as religion is concerned, the spirit of it just was not there. 

In terms of worship, back home I took part in the nightly prayers at the mosque where people from the community gather for ‘Taraweeh’. There was nothing of that sort when I was away. In fact, the only mosque I knew was miles away from my University and offered no night prayers. I prayed alone in my dormitory while my roommate blasts her music. No complaints whatsoever —That is the beauty of coexistence and tolerance which my religion teaches. 

In a lighter note, experiencing Ramadan in another part of the world also gave me an insight on how fasting is viewed in other cultures and religions. I have had friends who were genuinely concerned what the hunger could do to me. They go as far as telling me to just hide and eat because God will not see me. I just laugh about it and tell them my Creator is indeed everywhere. 

Ramadan is also a time of giving and Baluwo shares this spirit of Ramadan. From now to the end of the 2022 Ramadan month, Baluwo is giving food voucher to its clients’ family back home.

Baluwo wishes you all a happy and peaceful Ramadan!