Ramadan Kareem...

I am an Egyptian, an Arab, Muslim Egyptian Arab and I thank Allah everyday for who I am and for what He has made me... So as an Arab Muslim in Ramadan, here comes all the culture and religious occurings that go on around here... Everyday an interesting ingredient, awkward situations, prayers, sohoor (dinner in the early a.m. hours of the morning) and fajr time... Never, never a dull moment...

The most interesting and vital component of the Ramadan diet: Dates.

Whether u prefer them soft and moist, soft and dry or the dry hard ones... Each and every one has a distinct taste and flavour, whichever u prefer is your choice but it is absolutely mandatory in Ramadan to break your fast on (at least) one date, as was done by our Habeeb Prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him).

How do u prefer ur dates??? U may pop one in ur mouth, pray maghreb and move on to the main course?? Or perhaps u would prefer to try the dates soaked with dry figs in apricot juice(originally in Egypt, called "Khofash"??? Too sweet for you? Ok, then... a sunnah power drink of milk and dates would be to ur liking?

It's really very simple to please Allah, just by thinking what we eat and try to follow the Sunnah as much as we can... Subhan Allah. It's very simple and yummy too.

Today was the first Ramadan prayers called the "taraweeh"... What does taraweeh really mean?? The first thing that comes to my mind is that it is a way to ease stress off your soul. Standing there for almost 2 hours and a half, pleading, repenting, listening to the verses "ayat" of the Qura'an one by one going through your head, body and soul. Yes, that is good for our soul; Soul Food... It's time to stop feeding your body and start feeding your soul...

Ya Allah we are listening, we are hearing Your words teaching us the ways of life, the way a Muslim must live in order to better ourselves and our families with Your guidance...

We stand there in the night, bearing with our cramps and body pain, in the cold weather if it's winter or in the heat if it's summer... The most important issue is Your blessing, Your Forgiveness, Your Gifts that You give us to help us through...

Ya Allah, ya rab please accept our repenting and allow us into Heaven... Truly, this world is not a very nice place, but we are doing our best...