Doha, Qatar: As the holy month of Ramadan approaches and heralds a time for prayer and reflection, expat families in Doha have begun preparations that binds mindfulness with flavours of home.
In hospitable homes and warm kitchens of these families, meal preparations for the holy month of Ramadan have began. While the walls are decked with golden lights of Ramadan decors, the members of these expat families are keen to recreate traditional cuisines reminiscent of home.
From Nigerian dishes to Pakistani cuisines, The Peninsula asked these expat families how they bring forth nostalgia and comfort from beloved recipes miles and miles away from home.
'Nourishing and nostalgic'
For Nigerian expat, Noimot Olayiwola, the Holy Month of Ramadan is a new chance to make Moinmoin, Akara and Ekuru. These dishes which are made from beans, considered as a staple food in Nigeria, have made a regular appearance in their family table every Ramadan.
“I love preparing traditional Nigerian dishes that feel both nourishing and nostalgic," she told The Peninsula.
"I also enjoy making Ewa Aganyin from beans too with Agege bread, and sometimes a comforting bowl of jollof rice or pepper soup for Iftar."
Olayiwola shared that "these meals remind me of home and bring warmth to the table after a long day of fasting.”
The same sense of nostalgia and celebration was echoed by Filipino expat, Karen Aisha Corpuz, who believes food is the heart of Ramadan.
She emphasized that food brings everyone together and creates memories, stating that her go-to kitchen creations often evolve around traditional sweet and savory dishes.
"They just feel festive and every Ramadan, I do a little shopping for dates, fruits, and drinks like laban and kamardin juice as it’s my way of getting ready,” she added.
Working smarter
While meal preparations vary in every family kitchen, Pakistani resident Anam M believes in working smarter during the Ramadan. Her techniques involves freezing a portion of her Iftar meals much before the holy month begins.
“Most of my friends and family prepare a part of their Ramadan snacks much in advance," she stated.
"This reduces the amount of work to be done in kitchen during the fasting month itself,” she added.
Echoing Anam's preference for efficiency, Indian resident Romana TajMohamed shared that her plans begin weeks prior to the start of Ramadan, stating that this is her method to ensure the availability of food and necessities for her family.
“We shop for Ramadan decor, new clothes and main food items like dates, Rooh Afza, the samosa patties and fruits, " she stated.
"I grew up helping my mum with preparing the samosa patties and setting up tables, hence keeping up with the tradition away from home. I look forward to preparing the Ramadan Aash and kheema samosa," she added.
Keeping up with traditions
Speaking on personal shopping traditions that marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, Nazma Mazhar, a Sri Lankan expat explained that her shopping was inspired by her mother.
“The shopping traditions and steps my mother taught me are what I follow too here in Qatar," she told The Peninsula.
For Nazma, preparing her cuisines extend beyond the members of her family as she shared her love for hosting Iftar and a beloved and common Sri Lankan gesture of sharing meals to those are fasting during Ramadan.
"During Ramadan I am a person who loves to host iftar, prepare food and give some away to those who are fasting which is the tradition in most Sri Lankan communities and these gestures make Ramadan more colorful,” she added.
On the other hand, Nigerian expat Taqwallah Adekoya celebrates Ramadan with health and nourishment included in the plan.
Every Ramadan, it has been her practice to increase her water intake and adjusting her diet. “As a breastfeeding mother, I eat nourishing food like oats, carrots, soaked fennel seeds, and fenugreek to support my milk supply," she stated.
Meanwhile, Taqwallah also believes in sharing the beautiful Ramadan moments with her neighbours, stating that: "I plan to share the Ramadan moments with my Muslim neighbors as this strengthens bonds, brings loved ones together, and truly makes iftar more joyful and memorable when shared.”
As the crescent moon appears and the first call to prayer signals the start of the fast, these moments shared by expat families in Qatar take on a deeper meaning.
Amidst the clattering of pots and the passing of dates, the warmth of shared tables are among the beloved moments that is cherished among individuals and families in Qatar. Meal preparations during Ramadan goes far beyond just cooking.
For these families, recreating the flavours of their homeland are also a means to reflect, safeguard their memories, and identity.
