RAMADAN SPECIAL
A TASTE OF RAMADAN: TRA 16
Asian Voice | 18th June 2016
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Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It marks the time the Prophet Mohammed received the first verses of the Quran. It is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and a period of prayer, fasting, charity and self-accountability for Muslims in the UK. All Muslims observing Ramadan fast during the daylight hours for 30 days. Ramadan started on 7 June and it will last until around 7 July. It is considered as a time of celebration and reflection for Muslims, in spite of being quite a challenge for people who are working, as they have to go without water and food in the working hours, especially during these summer months. This year, since it coincides with the GCSEs and Alevel exam period, many head teachers are also concerned that students may not be able to concentrate without eating. It also clashes with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, meaning this Ramadan will have the longest average fasting hours in its 33-year lunar-based cycle. The Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month, and is celebrated with much fervour across the country.
What do you do during Ramadan? In Britain, many Muslims fast during the daylight hours. It is a time of selfexamination and increased religious devotion and is common to have one meal known as the 'suhoor' just before sunrise and an evening meal 'iftar' after sunset during Ramadan. The Department of Health produces a guide to healthy fasting during Ramadan which aims to help people avoid health complications when they fast (also see our special section on diabetes).
Charity for the less privileged Muslims are encouraged to be charitable during Ramadan. Many therefore donate to various charities by participating in food drives for the poor, organising collection or charity events, and such other voluntary activities. Campaigns are promoted to raise public awareness of safe ways to donate to an honest charity and how to avoid donating to fake charities. Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran during Ramadan. Some Muslims recite the entire Quran by the end of Ramadan through special prayers known as 'Tarawih', which are held in the mosques every night of the month, when a section of the
PE I C RE
Prepare a three course all vegetarian Eid meal for your family
Soya Shammi Kebab (starter) Prep Time : 11-15 minutes, Cook time : 11-15 minutes, Serve : 4, Level Of Cooking : Medium
holy book is read. Ramadan Quran competitions are also famously held for both children and adults during this period. In the UK, political leaders are known to make public announcements, greeting Muslims both locally and globally for the month of Ramadan. Their messages aim to help raise awareness of the Ramadan’s importance among Muslims both in the UK and throughout the world.
Eid prayers. The community then celebrates together, with everyone sharing the food they have prepared. Eid in London: The Mayor of London hosts Eid celebrations in Trafalgar Square every year, which people of all faiths are encouraged to attend. There are readings from the Quran and prayers, as well as market stalls, live music performances and food from all over the Middle East, North Africa and South East Asia.
Five things to know about Eid al-Fitr Date: Ramadan comes to an end with prayers, food, gifts – but the exact date depends on the first sighting of the moon. Feast: Eid al-Fitr is dedicated to feasting. Muslims typically enjoy a small breakfast ahead of morning prayers and then visit friends and relatives where a lavish feast is served. Gifts are also exchanged, with clothes the most popular presents. Praying together: Muslims will not only be celebrating the end of fasting, but thanking God (Allah) for providing them with strength through the month of Ramadan. Eid is a time of forgiveness, self-reflection and giving to charity. Early morning Muslims gathering at mosques or outdoor squares to perform
HEALTH WATCH
Ingredients Soya Nuggets 2 cups, Split Bengal gram (chana dal) 2 tablespoons, Garlic cloves 15-20, Ginger 2 inch piece, Oil 2 tablespoons, Dried pomegranate seeds (anardana) 1 tablespoon, Tomato cut into round slices 1 medium, Red chilli powder 1/2 tablespoon, Salt to taste, Garam masala powder 1/2 tablespoon, Fresh mint (pudina) finely chopped 1 bunch for garnishing, Cornflour/ corn starch 2 tablespoons
Ramadan fast and health risk for people with diabetes Fasting during Ramadan can be dangerous for those with health conditions such as diabetes, Diabetes UK has warned. Those who observe fasting during the month, are going over 17 hours a day without eating during the long summer days. There is also a risk of overeating at Suhoor and Iftar, the meals before and after fasting, which can send blood glucose levels to dangerously high levels. If fasting is likely to put your health at risk, you can complete your duties by offering a charity or providing food to the poor. People with diabetes are advised to speak with their Imam and healthcare team to work out whether it is safe Method Step 1: Grind together garlic and ginger. Soak soya nuggets in hot water. Step 2: Drain, squeeze and dry on a cloth. Heat 2 tbsps oil in non-stick pan. Step 3: Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté till golden brown. Add anardana, chana dal, soya nuggets, red chilli powder, salt, garam masala powder and mix well. Step 4: Turn off the heat and add mint leaves. Let the mixture cool slightly, transfer this mixture into mixer jar and grind with little water. Step 5: Transfer into a bowl. Add cornflour and mix well. Step 6: Heat sufficient oil in a non-stick pan. Divide the mixture into small portions, shape into flat kababs. Step 7: Place the kababs on the pan and shallow fry,
to fast, and for those who do, how to keep good diabetes control during the period. Diabetes UK working in partnership with Muslim Council of Britain has developed information on Ramadan and diabetes. Krishna Sarda, Engaging Communities Manager at Diabetes UK, said: “Diabetes UK recognises and respects that this is a very important time for people and we are urging people with diabetes to take care of their health during this period. South Asian people are two to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes and that means there will be lots of people with the condition who may think they have to fast for Ramadan... “Those who do choose to fast need to take particular care as fasting for this length of time will increase the risk of their blood glucose levels rising or falling, which can be very dangerous, and of them becoming dehydrated. “Be sure to get advice from your doctor or nurse beforehand and eat and drink sensibly outside of fasting hours. And if your blood glucose levels fall low, you must end the fast immediately and treat the low blood sugar level as you would do normally. “It is also possible to postpone fasting until winter, when shorter days mean turning sides, till golden all around. Drain on absorbent paper. Step 8: Arrange on a serving plate, garnish with mint leaves and tomato slices and serve hot.
less time fasting. “Some people also think that testing blood glucose levels will break your fast. It does not, and in fact it is important to test more frequently if you do fast.” Guide to healthy fasting during Ramadan If you are not careful, food eaten during the pre-dawn and dusk meals can cause some weight gain. A balanced diet: Those observing the fast should have at least two meals a
day–the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) and a meal at dusk (Iftar). The food intake should be simple and not differ too much from your normal diet. It should contain food from all the major food groups: fruit and vegetables, bread, cereals and potatoes, meat, fish or alternatives, milk and dairy food, food containing fat and sugar. Complex carbohydrates are food that help release energy slowly during the long hours of fasting. They
paste 1 1/2 tablespoons, Turmeric powder 1 teaspoon, Red chilli powder 1 tablespoon, Coriander powder 1 tablespoon, Yogurt 1/2 cup, Rose water 1/2 teaspoon, Saffron (kesar) a few
cups of salted boiling water with two green cardamoms, one black cardamom, five cloves, half inch stick of cinnamon, until three-fourth done. Drain excess water and set aside. Heat a Wonderchef
strands, Fresh tomato puree 1 cup, Garam masala powder 1 teaspoon, Fresh coriander leaves chopped 2 tablespoons, Fresh mint leaves chopped 2 tablespoons
Granite Wokm with Lid. Add the remaining green cardamoms, cloves, black cardamom and cinnamon along with bay leaf and caraway seeds and roast. Add onions, carrot, French beans, cauliflower florets and green peas.
Vegetable Biryani (main) Prep Time : 16-20 minutes, Cook time : 26-30 minutes, Serve : 4, Level Of Cooking : Moderate Ingredients Basmati Rice 1 1/2 cups, Carrots 2 medium, Carrots 1/2 inch pieces 2 medium, French beans 1/2 inch pieces 15, Cauliflower 10-12 florets, Green peas shelled 1 cup, Salt to taste, Green cardamons 8, Black cardamom 1, Cloves 15, Cinnamon 1/2 inch stick, Bay leaf 1, Caraway seeds (shahi jeera) 1/2 teaspoon, Ginger-garlic
Method Step 1: Boil rice in four