We sat down and had a chat with Julie Muriuki, 41 on what makes Ramadan so special to her, what are some of the challenges she faced during Ramadan, and more. Read more stories like Julie's and get insights on how Muslim consumers around the world prepare for Ramadan and Eid during the COVID-19 pandemic and the new normal in the MASTERCARD-CRESCENTRATING RAMADAN & EID LIFESTYLE REPORT 2022.
In February 2021.
I now know what it's like to be in a position where you're hungry and thirsty, not because you are fasting but because you don't have food and water. I understand the relief breaking fast at sunset, while some do not have that. Therefore, when I'm preparing meals, I make just enough for the family. Before that, you find that you cook plenty which then stays in the fridge for too long only to be thrown away. So now I control our consumption by only cooking what we can finish. That was special to me. I feel grateful that I also don't have to think about what I'm going to eat. As we're all fasting, the whole community feels
the same. The feeling of fasting is no different for the rich or the poor.
I'm the only Muslim in my family, so I was the only one doing something different from everyone else. So for the first time, I was the only one who was not present during mealtimes, at least during the day. Additionally, because I had just become a Muslim, I intensified my prayers and read Quran during the day. So life was very different for me, especially in the evening after breaking the fast it's usually family time, but I have to pray Taraweeh. That was hard.
To be honest, I think there is overconsumption, and with that comes wastage. I remember noticing this before I even became a Muslim. The vendors would come outside the main Mosque in Nairobi to sell a variety of snacks, but there'd always be some thrown away. Street kids would pick a lot that would fall to the ground. I can only imagine what that can translate into different homes. On various social media platforms, you see huge food spreads being laid out compared to the number of people. They're preparing a different thing the next day, and you wonder how all that food is consumed. I don't think there's a problem with having a variety of foods from your usual diet, and it's a special month after all. But I think people should be careful with consumption. Because you're hungry, you tend to overestimate what your body can handle and become driven by hunger.
When my interest in Islam started, I would see many people going for Taraweeh prayers and witnessed the aspect of praying in the congregation during Ramadan. But now, being alone, it felt kind of strange. I'm still in the middle of learning prayers. While it affected me, I think it also helped because now I'm not waiting for somebody to come and tell me what to do. It taught me to seek knowledge, ask questions, and not be afraid of looking stupid. I have become more independent. I think if it was prior to COVID, I would be very dependent on what other people are doing.
Yes, more than all other months. Because I see a lot of promotions (of charities) on Instagram, I would regularly donate, like if I see a post shared by friends requesting charity.
I'm looking forward to this Ramadan and hope to do better as I learned my lessons and know what to change this time.
