Khalid Tawalbeh
Doha
The Holy Month of Ramadan is a season to showcase the harmony between Bangladesh religious spirituality and local customs because the period is a national religious holiday, according to Ambassador of Bangladesh to Qatar HE Mohammad Nazrul Islam.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune at an iftar ceremony organised for the Bangladeshi community in Qatar on Wednesday, the ambassador said Bangladeshi Muslims use the Ramadan period to stay at mosques to pray and take part in activities like Quran memorisation with their young ones.
He congratulated the Qatari leadership and people on the end of the holy month and the approaching Eid Al-Fitr.
“Everyone brags about the Holy Month of Ramadan, and they rejoice in welcoming it as a dear guest who visits them every year,” Ambassador Nazrul Islam said. “Bangladesh is no exception in the trend since Muslims observe the Holy Month of Ramadan according to a variety of rituals and traditions that vary based on the nation in which they reside.”
“Bangladesh is regarded as one of the world’s multicultural nations. As a result of their interactions with many cultures, Bangladeshi Muslims, who make up more than 90 percent of the population, have different customs and traditions than Muslims outside of this nation.”
He said preachers and imams of mosques start teaching Muslims about the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the ethics of the Prophet’s Sunnah when the Holy Month of Ramadan arrives, particularly those related to fasting and the ethics of fasting.
He said, “As is customary in Ramadan, Bangladeshis pray Taraweeh, raising their hands in prayer for forgiveness and good deeds in this world and the hereafter, and compete in Qur’an memorisation. Children learn to master the teachings of the Qur’an and the doctrine of Islam. It is an integral part of the culture in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi cities and villages come to life with lights and decorations in the streets, shops and markets in Ramadan. Muslims take the opportunity during Ramadan to distribute gifts to spread peace and serenity.”
About the Bangladeshi table, the ambassador expressed his happiness.
He said, “Special dishes are prepared during the Ramadan fast, such as ‘Jelabi’, which is a dessert, ‘Piazzo’, which is made from onions, and ‘Begoni’, which is a brinjal dish. The importance of the Ramadan is evidenced by the fact that many parents name their children ‘Ramadan’ in honour of this religious season.”
“The Bangladeshi people offer traditional foods and Ramadan cuisine for sale on the occasion of the holy month, such as curry rice dish, which is one of the most famous dishes on the tables of Bengalis, in addition to the Bengali white rice dish. In addition, the local Chowk dish, a kind of pastry fried in oil, is main meal on the Bengali table. One of the delicious dishes in Bangladesh is made from margarine, carrots, peas, beans and some spices. Public tables are held for collective Iftar and distribution of charity to the needy and the poor in the holy month of Ramadan,” the envoy stated.
He added, “The Bangladeshi people have distinctive customs and traditions during the Holy Month of Ramadan that may not exist in any other country, namely, they are one of the peoples who are very interested in buying and reading religious books, which is considered one of the features of the holy month in Bangladesh, where a book fair opens its doors with the beginning of Ramadan every year and continues throughout the holy month.”
