Start of Ramadan

Ramadan lasts around 29 days, from crescent moon of the ninth month of Islamic calendar until the following crescent moon. This year in Jordan, it started on Thursday, 17th of May.
From sunrise (around 4 am) to sunset (around 7:30 pm), it is prohibited neither to eat nor drink. It is very hard not to drink water during the day with strong sunlight. I tried fasting too, but gave up in 3 days.

During Ramadan, the city is very quiet since restaurants are closed. However, around 1 hour before sunset the stores start to open and people start to gather. As restaurants and cafes are open until 4 am, it is noisier at night. The houses are lighted up or decorated with ornaments of crescent moon, the symbol of Ramadan, and gives the impression of Christmas in Japan.

Few days ago, the host community team of JEN went to a restaurant to have Iftar, or the meal after sunset during Ramadan. We started eating at the same time as the sunset. In order to avoid any burden to stomach, we started from liquids such as juice or soup. Then we started eating dates or salad, and then moved on to main dish. There were many dishes like meat or fish fry. We were amazed by the variety of dishes in Arabian cuisine.

【soup of lentil and dates】

【sheep liver and fish fries】

【Kepse(rice cooked with whole sheep】

After meal, it is common to have kadayif, or syrup-covered fried pancake with cheese or nuts inside, as desert. This desert is only served during Ramadan.

During Ramadan, we are unable to sleep at night since the only time to eat is the period after sunset and before sunrise. It is hard time for JEN staff too. Regardless of hunger and sleepiness, we try our best not to delay projects, and focus to work in shorter hours, from 9 o’clock to 14 o’clock.

【Iftar among host community members】