Ramadan in Morocco

This year I had the opportunity to experience Ramadan alongside the close-knit community here in Tamraght. 

At the start of Ramadan, I wrote an Instagram post stating that whilst I'm not a practicing Muslim, being here for the Holy Month offered a great opportunity to learn more about Ramadan, Islam and spirituality. 

It's now a week since Ramadan finished, and I'd like to share share what I learned about prayer, and valuing my beliefs.

During Ramadan, Muslims all over the world recite five daily prayers. Plus many more throughout the Holy month. Even though the mosques were closed to the public this Ramadan, the Call to Prayer continued to sound from our village mosques throughout the day. A euphony of sound. Beautiful, poetic. An opportunity to pause and connect.

When the wind blew in the right direction, the early morning prayers would drift through my bedroom window like a lyrical wave. Whilst the sunset call evoked the image of families huddling together to break the fast with 'ftor' their evening meal.  

I wanted to pray. Yoga and life experiences have taught me the importance of a daily spiritual practice, and finding a way to connect with the Divine. And yet, I had little experience of Islam, so;

I read translations of the prayers which are recited during Ramadan. It is my understanding that many of the prayers said state that through spiritual fasting, one intends to bring oneself closer to Allah, and praying offers an opportunity to ask for forgiveness.

Given I wasn’t fasting and other spiritual understandings, the translations I read did not resonate, so I set about researching and creating personal prayers that did.

I Googled - how do you pray? How do you create a prayer? 

Some words of wisdom I discovered, with roots in Islam;  “Pray from your heart, God will grant whatever prayer is dearest to our heart - if God believes that prayer is for our benefit.’ Source: Belief.net  

Having gone around in a few mental circles and with numerous web browser tabs opened. I came to the conclusion that there is no right or wrong way to pray. You can say scripted words, prayers from ancient texts, prayers from modern verse, sing lyrics from your favourite song, say prayers that come from your heart. 

You can say any combination of jumbled up words in any language you like, you can direct them towards the sky, a yoga mat, the Universe, the Divine, Allah, God.

I now see prayer as a way to connect, to ask for help, to receive guidance, to give thanks. However and with whoever you like. Ask for help, trusting that the answer will come - in whichever way or form it likes.

Grateful for the reminder of how simple and powerful a prayer can be. 

I appreciate my experience of Ramadan was not from a food & drink fasting perspective. It was however enjoyed in solitude: a fasting of physical and family contact. I experienced intense feelings of loneliness, isolation and homesickness. For home, my family, my culture, at a time when the family units and culture around me were at their strongest. 

I am grateful that Ramadan created space to turn inward, to dig deep, to strengthen my beliefs. Through the handful of hugs I did enjoy from friends, I felt the power of human presence. And in those precious early morning beach walks and sea swims, I felt the support and nourishing touch of Mother Nature. 

How to celebrate Eid? How did I break the physical touch fast? With a massage! 

Alhamdulillah, Praise be to God - a Qur'anic exclamation with a similar meaning as Hallelujah.