Eid-ul-Fitr party 2015

Last weekend we had our Eid-ul-Fitr party. I know, I know, Eid-ul-Fitr was way back in July, but as most of us girls in Qatar were traveling abroad during Eid, we decided to throw a party when most of us got back. 

We decided to make it a REAL party. So not just a get together with some cake and chai, but an actual party including gifts, dress up, decorations, ... all centered around a theme. We`ve had several ideas for a party theme, but the majority vote turned out in favor of *Arabian princesses*!

The party was at my home and I was in charge of making the decorations -Of course, I hear you thinking...-, so I got all crafty again and I was really pleased with how things turned out, alhamdouliLlah. I guess these decorations can suit any Eid party so if you`re looking for some inspiration, here they are... 

These golden moons and silver stars were already hanging from the ceiling in my hallway during Ramadan, but as they so beautifully fit our theme, I decided to let them hang there a little longer. :-) If you`re looking for a template of an 8 pointed star: just continue reading, I am sharing one below. 

I really love how these lanterns turned out. You can find the template for this (and other) lantern(s) here. 

If you`ve been reading my blog a little, you know I love garlands. I don`t know what it is about them, but I`ve got garlands hanging in practically every room of my house! (Okay, except the bathrooms.) I crochet them or make them out of paper. Here`s a template for an 8 pointed star, just print them in different colors, punch holes in them, string them together, eh voila! 

These little candle light lanterns really created a cozy atmosphere for our party. They are a must have for every Eid party! Here`s the template. 

(As you can see, I really love the crafts from Sweet Fajr. Definitely check out her website!)

Everyone made an Arabian inspired dish and I made Omani Chaklama and Saudi Champagne, both recipes can be found on my blog. 

By Zawani M.

As we got all dressed up -And it was great seeing how everyone interpreted the theme in their dress and accessories!- we really needed to take some pictures, so one of the girls put together a photo booth. She did an amazing job and I really loved how it turned out. I hope we can include a photo booth like this in our future Eid parties! 

But Eid is not all about partying, we also wanted to do something useful and one of the girls put together an islamic quiz. There were 10 questions and for every question answered correctly we got a lovely (hijabi) brooche/pin! I really learned some new things this way: did you know the name of the angels who write down our good and bad deeds? They are called `Kiraman Katibin`. Maa shaa Allah! 

Aren`t these pins lovely?! One of the sisters brought them from Malaysia, I absolutely love them! (And I ended up winning 4, alhamdouliLlah!)

AlhamdouliLlah, it was one of the best Eid-parties ever and I am really grateful to all the sisters who put their effort into making it such a success. Celebrating Eid, when you are living abroad, far away from muslim family and your muslim friends back home, can be really difficult. But we really had a blast and I am looking forward to our next Eid! 

Oh Ramadan...

Oh Ramadan, your days went by so fast,  

And most of them have already passed. 

Your time has almost come to an end,  

I can only hope my days fasting were well spent.  

Oh Ramadan, I am not ready to say goodbye,  

I want to cling to your presence as these last hours are passing me by,  

Because there is definitely a fear,  

That this time around next year, maybe... I won`t be here? 

Oh Ramadan, I don`t want you to leave.  

There are still so many good deeds left for me to achieve,  

And after your blessed presence has gone,  

There is still so much work left to be done.  

Oh Ramadan, promise next year we will meet? 

I will do my best! Will do more good deeds! 

Maybe next time I will take head,  

And stop my wrongdoings that I seem bound to repeat. 

Oh Ramadan, you will be missed, again and again,  

As it feels like I am seeing off a dear friend... 

But before you step out of the door,  

I`ld like to ask you for something, just one thing more... 

Oh Ramadan, intercede for me on that Final Day.  

With the days I fasted and the nights I prayed.  

So out of His Mercy I can be forgiven,  

So out of His Mercy I can be saved...  

Bruce Bogtrotter`s Chocolate Cake for Eid

Whenever I bake a chocolate cake, I always use one recipe. The first time I tried out this recipe, I was about 10 years old. Fast forward almost 20 years (sic) and this is still the recipe I`m using. I never felt the need to try out other recipes as this one is just perfect! 

The Roald Dahl books are an important part of my childhood. I got *Matilda* as a gift when I was about 8 years old and it was the first real book I read and loved. Over the years I would read many other books written by Roald Dahl and one of the books I`ve kept until today is Roald Dahl`s *Revolting Recipes*. This cook book contains the recipes to most of the treats and sweets Roald Dahl describes in his books. If you`ve read *Matilda* too, you will definitely remember the giant chocolate cake Bruce Bogtrotter was forced to eat... I bet you imagined how it would taste like and I can guarantee you that it tastes amazing... :-) 

This is a perfect cake for Eid-ul-Fitr, so I`m sharing the recipe with you all... 

Enjoy! 

This year`s Ramadan decorations (2015)

I love to decorate my home during Ramadan and Eids. From the moment I had my own place, I would put my crafting skills to use and make my house as festive as possible during the holy days! Now that I have a son I believe it is even more important to bring that Ramadan atmosphere into our home. Although he is still tiny with his nearly 8 months of age and high likely won`t remember all the effort his mom was putting into decorating the place when he was a baby, lol, I strongly believe islamic education starts from the day a child is brought into this world. (And even before that.) Of course I don`t just decorate our house because of my son, I just love to craft and create pretty things to create a cozy and warm atmosphere at home. And Ramadan and Eid our the perfect times to do so. :-)

This year`s decorations were very budget friendly. A few weeks before Ramadan I normally set out to buy new crafting supplies, but this year I decided to work with what I already had lying around at home. Take a peek...

There are some crafts that I make every year, one of them is a *Ramadan Mubarak* banner. If you`ld like to know how to make the tassels, here`s a tutorial on how to do that. 

Moons and stars can`t be missing during Ramadan! These shiny stars and moons are made from the same paper as the one I used to make the tassels for the banner: golden and silver crepe paper. These are hanging from the ceiling in my hallway and are the first thing you see when you walk through my door. 

This lovely *Ramadan Mubarak* banner is hanging on my front door. It is designed by Sweet Fajr and you can find this and more printable banners on her page. 

Below the banner I made a garland with yarn and different colors and types of washi tape. Here`s a close up. 

I like to visualize the passing days of Ramadan and the countdown to Eid.

 

I drew the design in the frame myself, but you can find some nice printables online like this one. To be able to change the number of days every day, you place the printable behind the glass of your frame, you can then write the number of days with a whiteboard marker on the frame. Be sure to not use a permanent marker, so you can easily wipe it off every day. 

The printable on the right is from Sweet Fajr and you can download it here. 

My love for crochet and candles resulted in this cozy candle light. A great way to recycle all those glass jars you`ve got lying around. Click here for the pattern. 

No Ramadan without a *fanoos* in our family. The streets of Cairo are filled with these (Although nowadays they are mostly electrical) and this brings back memories of Ramadan in Egypt!

The little glass cup is actually a typical Qatari coffee cup, but it can also serve as a candle holder. 

AlhamdouliLlah for a cozy Ramadan home! 

Ramadan in Qatar... What`s it like?

As a convert I spent most of my Ramadans back home in a non-muslim environment. This meant that although the atmosphere of Ramadan could be felt in my own home, you couldn`t notice Ramadan the moment you set foot outside. Daily life just continued at its normal pace, the streets looked the same, people did the same things, ... Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. 

It`s my 3rd Ramadan in Qatar this year and I definitely prefer spending this precious month here. Ramadan is reflected in every aspect of daily life and the country just breathes the atmosphere of this holy month. But what is so different between fasting here and fasting back home? What makes Ramadan here such a special time of the year? 

Sunset on the first night of Ramadan at Souq Waqif in Al Wakrah. 

Here`s a list of Qatari traditions and things to know about Ramadan in Qatar!

1. Timings 

A day of fasting in Qatar is definitely shorter than a day spent fasting in Belgium. At least in the summer that is. While people in Belgium have to fast a total of 18-19 hours, in Qatar it`s about 15 hours. Fajr (Dawn) is around 3 AM and Maghreb (Sunset) around 6.30 PM. This means that iftar (the meal of breaking the fast) is mostly spent with many other people, whether at home or outside in restaurants. I remember my last Ramadans in Belgium, Maghreb time was already around 9 PM and it meant that breaking the fast with others was difficult and hardly happened. People were just too tired. It made for a lonely Ramadan... 

Also praying taraweeh at the mosque was almost impossible for a lot of people with such timings.  (Especially if you have to get up early in the morning for work!) 

On the other hand the climate in Belgium, even in summer, is rather mild, while temperatures in Qatar are reaching the fifties, so thirst is more of an issue here! 

2. Daily life turns upside down

Back home life just continued at its normal pace, but in Qatar, everything shifts during Ramadan. Supermarkets and stores will adjust their opening hours, restaurants are closed during fasting hours, while working hours are reduced. My husband f.ex. only has to work 5 hours during Ramadan instead of the normal 8. The whole country slows down during Ramadan. (At least during the day, things get really busy at night!) However, this does mean that if you need to get any paperwork done, chances are it`s not going to happen in Ramadan. So if you urgently need to settle some administration: be sure to get it done before Ramadan starts or wait patiently until the month has passed... 

For a list of this year`s opening hours for supermarkets, malls and restaurants, click here. 

3. Cannon shot at sunset

The Ramadan Cannon by Omar Chatriwala, Doha News.

Being in a muslim country means that the breaking of the fast is signaled by the adhaan (call for prayer). But Qatar also has another tradition: every evening at sunset, a cannon shot is fired! This tradition is carried out across the Gulf region and other countries of the Middle East as well. 

The cannon used to be located next to the General Post Office, but now sits in the shade of the Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque or as it is commonly known the State Mosque. 

4. Ramadan decorations 

One of the main reasons I loved Christmas so much as a child (I was raised a Catholic) were the decorations and especially the lights. I don`t celebrate Christmas anymore today, but I still love that time of the year back home when the streets are decorated with millions of little twinkling lights. 

In Qatar, however, streets aren`t decorated during Christmas, but during Ramadan! 

The palm trees along the Corniche are draped in strings of lights and Katara, Qatar`s cultural Village and one of my favorite hang out spots in Doha, is definitely a must see during Ramadan... 

Source.

Source.

5. No drinking and eating in public 

In Qatar it is illegal to eat or drink in public during Ramadan. Non-muslims aren`t expected to fast, so non-muslims can still eat or drink in their homes or at work, but in a designated area. Although a lot of muslims won`t mind, it is advised to non-muslims living here to not eat or drink in front of muslims while in private. 

Throughout the year alcohol consumption in Qatar is restricted: there is only one store in Doha, Qatar Distribution Company, where non-muslims, with a permit, can buy alcohol (and pork) from, but it is closed during the entire month of Ramadan. Non-muslims can only consume these goods in the privacy of their own homes. However, alcohol is also served in some bars and hotels around Qatar, yet in Ramadan alcohol isn`t allowed to be served anywhere. 

People who are caught drinking or eating in public during Ramadan risk being fined and even imprisoned or deported. 

6. Lavish iftars

Although Ramadan is about leaving food and drink and overindulging in it when breaking the fast is definitely not what a muslim should do, a lot of restaurants and hotels prepare open buffets for iftar. Our family mostly eats iftar in the comfort of our own home, but we have attended several of these open buffets over the years and it makes for a fun night out during Ramadan. My favorite remains the one at Grand Heritage Hotel and Spa. The entrance and dining area are decorated in an oriental style and the food is absolutely amazing: my husband loves their roasted lamb and I am fond of their pasta station, where you can pick and choose your own pasta dish while a cook prepares it in front of you. They also serve a variety of European and Arabic sweets which really top off this iftar. What I also really like about this place is that they prepare a special prayer room for their guests. I remember attending an iftar in a Lebanese restaurant 2 years ago where me and my husband actually had to pray outside in the parking lot as there was no space at all to pray inside... 

Source. 

For me, attending such an open buffet, is a once in a while occasion, a special evening out during Ramadan. (And a break from cooking for me!) But unfortunately some people attend such buffets every evening and overindulge in food after fasting. Every Ramadan hundreds of people end up in the ER at hospitals downtown after overeating and dozens get hospitalized with gastritis, dehydration and kidney problems. 

If you`ld like to enjoy an evening out during Ramadan, click here for a list of places that offer iftar and souhour (meal before dawn) in Doha this Ramadan. But be warned! ;-)

7. Garangao 

On the 14th night of Ramadan children in Qatar celebrate Garangao. They dress up in traditional clothing, sing a typical Garangao song and knock on their neighbor`s doors to receive nuts and candy. (Halloween anyone? Although in Qatar there are no monsters and ghosts involved!) 

Typical Garangao nuts and candy.

It is celebrated in all of the Gulf countries under different names. It is an immensely popular tradition in Qatar and Qatar Foundation, Aspire Zone and Katara all host events on this night with lot`s of fun and games for the kids. 

8. Corniche Car Parade 

Every evening, around an hour before sunset, the Corniche is the backdrop for what has become a Ramadan tradition in Qatar: the Corniche Car Parade. The recipe is simple: young men + fancy cars = boys having fun! Porsches, Lamborghinis, oldtimers, ... You can watch them all, every evening around 5 PM.
What this has to do with Ramadan remains a mystery to me, but let me just say: boys will be boys... 

Chantelle D`mello, Doha News. 

9. Taraweeh prayers 

Sheick Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque or the State Mosque.

During Ramadan muslims are encouraged to pray supererogatory prayers. Praying *taraweeh* in congregation at the mosque is an important part of Ramadan. The past years I often went to pray at my local mosque down the street, but I have always wanted to attend the prayers at the State Mosque as during Ramadan, local and internationally famous shuyuck (Plural of sheick) are invited to lead taraweeh prayers. One of the reciters I love listen to most is Sheick Saad Al Ghamdi, who is an annual guest in Qatar during Ramadan. Below is a list with the shuyuck who will be leading the taraweeh prayers this year. 

Turki Al Marri/ MalAllah Al Jaber/ Mohamed Taher/ Yousef Ashir (30 days)
Abubakr Al Shateri (9-11 Ramadan)
Mohamed Al Luhaydan (12-14 Ramadan) 
AbdelHadi Kanakri (14-16 Ramadan)
Yasir Al Dosari (17-18 Ramadan)
Saad Al Ghamdi (17-20 Ramadan)
AbdelWali Al Arkani (21-25 Ramadan)

I guess that sums it up! If you know of any Qatari traditions during Ramadan that I`ve forgotten, please tell me about them! 

Ramadan Mubarak!

A Creative Ramadan: Crochet Star Garland

I learned how to crochet last year and have worked on several projects since: it is such a fun and relaxing thing to do, especially in the evening, when mr. Blueberry is asleep and it`s mummy-quality-time. ;-) 

One of the things I like to create the most is garlands. So for this Ramadan I wanted to crochet a garland out of little moons and stars! Unfortunately the pattern that I found to crochet a crescent moon didn`t really turn out nice, so I stuck to crocheting little stars only. (If you have a good pattern to crochet a crescent, please, let me know!)

Once you know the basic stitches these little stars are very easy to make! (And this pattern uses all the basic stitches so it`s a great exercise!) You can use them in a variety of ways: you can string them all together to make a garland like I did, you can make a mobile with them or use them to decorate gifts for friends and family during Ramadan. 

What do you need?

* Yarn in whichever color you like.

* Crochet hook in the size that matches your type of yarn. (I would advise to use a hook with a small size. The smallest size I have is 4.0 and it caused the stars to have a little hole in the middle. I don`t particularly mind, but if you`ld like to have a smaller hole or no hole at all, I suggest you use a hook with a small size and yarn accordingly.) 

How to make...

Little stars: 

ch *** chain (NL: losse)
sl st *** slip stitch (NL: halve vaste)
sc *** single crochet (NL: vaste) 
hdc *** half double crochet (NL: half stokje)
dc *** double crochet (NL: stokje) 
trc *** treble crochet (NL: dubbel stokje) 

Ch 5, sl st into the 1st ch to create a circle. 

Ch 3, dc into the ring. 13 more dc into the ring, sl st into the 3rd chain to combine. 

*Ch 5, sc in 2nd chain from the hook, hdc in 3rd chain from the hook, dc in 4th chain from the hook, trc in 5th chain from the hook, skip 2 ch, sl st to combine*. Repeat *...* 4 more times. 

Fasten off. 

Source: Ramadan Joy.