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An eye cannot mistake the Islamic flavor spreading in the four corners of the road. |
If you are in London and you want to feel the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, there is only one place to seek: the Edgware Road in central London, where Ramadan tastes special.
"I feel the spirit of Ramadan only in this street where I lived for 36 years," Ekhtiar, a 57-year-old woman of Pakistani origin, told IslamOnline.net Sunday, October 1, walking down the road.
An eye cannot mistake the Islamic flavor spreading in the four corners of the road.
"Ramadan Meals," "Today's Soap," and "Halal Meat" are some of the signs written in Arabic on the shops owned by Muslims of different roots; Egyptians, Pakistanis and Iranians.
Muslim troupes and signers flock to the road during the holy month to perform their music-to-the-ear songs in the open air.
Sufi songs by Turkish Mercan Dede, Moroccan Natacha Atlas, and Mali Ali Farka Toure have appealed to a large section of passers-by.
The road, which also has a large Muslim population, has also been chosen by Muslim charities to drum up support for their campaigns.
"Let's bring back the hope during Ramadan," read the Muslim Aid's campaign ad, which was emblazoned across the street in both English and Arabic.
Ramadan, the ninth month on the Islamic lunar calendar, is the period when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
During this holy month, which is dedicated to spiritual growth, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain during daylight hours from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Miscellany of Goods
A miscellany of goods, particularly delicious dates, from Pakistan, Tunisia, Iran, Egypt, and Lebanon are also adding to the Ramadan aura.
"The country of origin doesn't matter whether it is Lebanon, Pakistan or Egypt as long as it is halal and from the land of Islam," said Ekhtiar, who is married to a Lebanese.
"We are all Arabs and Muslims. We have one religion and celebrate the same Ramadan," echoed Amr, a Londoner of Lebanese origin.
Ekhtiar said all Muslims are united by the prevailing spirit of Ramadan in the street.
"Fasting Ramadan together consolidates our cohesion. We are Muslims at the end of the day," she said proudly.
Britain is home to an estimated 1.8 million Muslims, most of them are of Pakistani and Indian origin. |
