Ramadan is a time of reflection, prayer, and fasting for Muslims around the world. It is also a time for families to come together and share meals after a day of abstaining from food and drink. For one internally displaced family in a camp in Iraq, Ramadan is a time to come together over a simple meal of fried vegetables.
This family, like many others in the camp, has been forced to flee their homes due to conflict and violence. They live in cramped conditions with limited access to food and resources. Despite their hardships, they come together every evening during Ramadan to break their fast and share a meal.
One of their favorite dishes to prepare during this holy month is fried vegetables. This meal is simple yet delicious, made with whatever vegetables they have on hand – usually potatoes, carrots, onions, and tomatoes. The vegetables are chopped up and fried in oil until they are crispy and golden brown. A sprinkle of salt and pepper is all that is needed to bring out the flavors of the vegetables.
The smell of the frying vegetables fills their small tent, making everyone’s mouth water in anticipation. The children eagerly help with the preparation, chopping the vegetables with blunt knives and carefully placing them in the hot oil. It is a family affair, with everyone pitching in to make the meal come together.
As they sit down to eat, the family members take turns sharing stories from their day. They talk about their hopes for the future, their memories of home, and their gratitude for being together during this holy month. The fried vegetables may be simple, but they are a reminder of the love and resilience that binds this family together.
For this family, the meal of fried vegetables is more than just sustenance – it is a symbol of their strength and unity in the face of adversity. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still joy to be found in coming together with loved ones and sharing a meal.
As they finish their meal, the family members sit together in contented silence, savoring the last few bites of the fried vegetables. The children’s faces are smeared with oil and crumbs, their bellies full and their hearts light. In this moment, they are not displaced or impoverished – they are simply a family enjoying a meal together in the spirit of Ramadan.
The meal of fried vegetables may be humble, but it is a feast for this family in more ways than one. It nourishes their bodies, strengthens their bonds, and reminds them of the importance of coming together in times of hardship. As they clean up the dishes and prepare for bed, they do so with full hearts and grateful spirits, knowing that they have each other to lean on during this holy month and beyond.
In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, the simple act of sharing a meal can bring comfort and joy to those who need it most. For this internally displaced family in Iraq, the meal of fried vegetables is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is still light to be found in the love and togetherness of family.