RAMZAN | Foreigner Fasting & Iftar in Balochistan, Pakistan for Ramadan

Ramadan in Pakistan is going to be a special month, which kicked off beautifully on Day 1 when I was invited home to spend Iftar with new friends in Gwadar, Balochistan. They call Ramadan 'Ramzan' here, and I love that term! Somehow it has a light, lively feel to me (in all the best ways!) and it’s now my favourite term for Ramadan.

Well, it turns out, Ramzan has all the wonderful food and fun I've grown to love from the last 2 Muslim countries I was living in: Indonesia and Malaysia.

So, what’s in store for a guest of Pakistan as this month-long religious holiday begins to take flight today?

Honestly, I have no idea! But I’m looking forward to finding out and wondering how Ramadan will differ in a country whose population is 97% Muslim. Will it be like Malaysia for a non-Muslim, which I loved? Full of nightly, festive markets showcasing delicious food, delighted smiles, and spirited conversation? Ohhhh I hope so!

I also know it’s going to be different.

So far I’ve noticed that — while the majority of my friends will give Zakat, fast, and celebrate in the ways I’ve always known — I do have friends in Pakistan who take Ramadan to levels I’ve never witnessed in Malaysia or Indonesia. They use this month to turn almost saintly.

That part of Ramadan in Pakistan has surprised me. Since learning about it, I wasn’t really sure how to put my feelings into words in a truly respectful way. But LUCKILY my friend Fatima AKA @glossips did today in her Instagram post: she wrote, “If I’m being honest, I don’t treat Ramadan as the time to have a style-shift … because let’s face it, If you feel something is right OR wrong, do it all year long, don’t just rely on being the best version of yourself in this one month only. Maintain that balance all year long!”

I suppose my friends who become almost saintly use this month as a break from their normal life, to assuage feelings, or connect deeper to their faith. Well, I know that each person is unique and so is their faith … so how they celebrate Ramadan is too. And that’s what makes this beautiful world go round.

What I do know for sure is that I’m going to try and absorb it all and learn and grow myself. I have no desire to fast beyond my already strict diet or study Islam but I decided I’d use this month to show my respect for Pakistan by learning Urdu. That starts today.
#ramzan #ramadan #pakistan

XOXO ~ Angela

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