Ramazan: A Major Holiday Month in Afghanistan

Ramazan in Afghanistan is socially observed by all Afghans. To do otherwise is un-Afghan, un-Islamic. Most businesses and government ministries close early on Ramazan - some as early as 1:00pm, others at sometime in the middle afternoon.

During this month, business should be conducted early, in the mornings, when every one is still happy and feeling okay. By afternoon, people can tend towards grumpiness.

Right now in Afghanistan, it is hot - August is warm, so it makes fasting - NO food and NO water - really more challenging.

Speaking of tea, since I'm not Muslim, it's time for me to go take my tea break, so I'll write more later on Ramazan in Afghanistan and what you can expect.

Short Ramazan Story

Laila is a widow. She and her children live in two small rooms with a courtyard, and sound carries easily from one courtyard to another. During the month of fasting she rises well before dawn to prepare a substantial meal of rice, meat, and vegetable dishes.

The neighbors are wary because Laila is a widow with no male to keep her in line, but the clattering sounds of food preparation coming from her courtyard at four in the morning reassure them that she has not gone astray.

Even so, just to be certain, the neighbors will ask Laila’s smallest daughter, who is too young to lie, whether her mother is fasting.

Laila and her older children fast from daybreak until after sunset. This ritual is part of the community culture and to break it would break her relationship with her neighbors.

She would be thrown out of the community. The community provides peace and stability for her children.