Nia S. Amira
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Ramadan has come, and as Muslims of course we are delightful to welcome the very blessed month of the year with happiness! The nuance of fasting month is already visible and boisterous throughout Indonesia, even before Ramadan arrives. BeÂsides already filled with a variety of pastries for the Eid al-Fitr, the items of basic necessities have already started rising prices in traditional markets. Various television proÂgrams rely special events of RamaÂdan even since the early morning. Large banners congratulating worÂship also seen at the roadside.
Each country has its own way of welcoming the holy month of RaÂmadan. Iftar certainly be something to look forward to after a full day of hunger and thirst. Of course there is always a special food that will be eatÂen when breaking, and sometimes these foods will not be found in addiÂtion to the month of Ramadan only. As the largest Muslim country in the world, we can have strong feeling of the natural atmosphere of Ramadan in Indonesia, what with the feel of Ramadan in other countries?
Russia
Russia is not a Muslim country, but Russia in neighboring Muslim countries formerly part of the terÂritory of Russia, so it was natural that many Muslims living in Russia. Russia’s Muslims must take 17 hours every day when perfom the fastÂing in Ramadan. There are over 20 million Muslims in Russia and they usually gather in the 8000 mosques provided in this ice bear country while eating Khingalsh or Galnash when the muezzin calls for prayers at Maghrib. Khingals is bread stuffed with cheese, while Galnash is bread made from wheat. Muslims in SouthÂern Russia has a fermented beverage called Kvass that do not contain alcoÂhol. Kvass is a compulsory drink for Russian muslin during Ramadan.
China
Kasghar is a Muslim region of China bordering with Kazakhstan; Mongolia in the northeast; KirghizÂtan and Tajikistan in the north-west; and with Afghanistan and Pakistan in the south-west. Uyghur nation livÂing in Kasghar a clan Turkish descent living in Central Asia, especially in Xinjiang province, China. Uyghurs call their area as Uyghuristan or East Turkestan. Although not as vibrant as in other Islamic countries, It is a mandatory agenda for Chinese MusÂlims to break the fasting together and it is as a venue for a gathering of local residents.
Jordan
Jordanian Muslims normally decorate their streets with a variety of colorful lights during the fasting month. Jordanians also have rules for having meal in one table during Ramadan, whether they know the person who invited to eat or not. And for Iftar menu, Jordanians usuÂally provide Mansaf and Qatayef. Mansaf is sort of kebuli rice cooked with lamb meat processed in the furÂnace in the basement with spices. While Qatayef is a kind of pancake with cinnamon and filled with walÂnuts or sugar.
USA
In the US, Muslims welcome the holy month of Ramadan in a unique way, breaking the fast in two ways; first come to the mosque with food of each person called regularly as potluck, then collected in one table and eat together, the second way is dine together with close neighbors, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. In this tradition, Muslims in the USA as if to show togetherness and share the month of Ramadan along with anyone they know or do not know, merely to show that Islam is a reliÂgion of peace and brotherhood.
TURKEY
Muslims in Turkey welcome RaÂmadan with big joy and happiness. In big city like Istanbul, all the resÂtaurants always compete to offer a special menu for breaking the fastÂing. A set menu with a soup dish ifÂtariye, pide bread or toast in a speÂcial sort only sold during Ramadan, pastirma, sujuk, and a variety of pasÂtries called börek. The main course comes from traditional Turkish menu from the Ottoman era. While the famous dessert called “güllaç†made of rose water.
LEBANON