We’re all familiar with the kaftan collections, accessories exhibitions and designer trunk shows that take place each year during Ramadan – but fashion is not the only field in which merchants and entrepreneurs can thrive during the holy month.
Muslims are constantly giving religious practices an update: the ongoing project of introducing a tram system in Mecca, to make transportation more efficient during Haj rituals, is a prime example.
Although Ramadan has been observed for centuries by Muslims, some find it difficult to relate to the compulsory traditions within a modern context, particularly when living in non-Muslim countries. With spiritual fulfilment being the ultimate goal of the month, this year brings a range of new products designed to make the customs easier, the process more personalised and the month more meaningful.
Here are some Ramadan specials that are inspiring Muslims around the world to make the most of the blessed month.
Ramadan Diaries
This Toronto-based, Islam-inspired stationery line is sold through the Etsy.com shop, The Pampered Muslimah. For Ramadan, there’s a special journal for users to record memories, keep track of prayer times and iftar plans and jot down recipes. The first page has 10 tips for users to make the most of the holy month. The journals come in a variety of colours and cost Dh30. There are also cute mugs, tote bags, notebooks and Post-it notepads inscribed with “Insha’ Allah”, “Dream Dua Do” and “Alhamdullilah for Everything”.
Ramadan Learning Box
IlmKids Place in the United States produces surprise boxes for children, containing hands-on activities and educational materials about specific Islam-related topics, such as God, the Prophet or prayer. Children receive books with relevant Quranic verses and hadith, fun activity cards, a recipe card and a collectable iron-on patch in each box. The company's latest initiative is a Ramadan learning box in which children are taught about the holy month and are encouraged to memorise three prayers, as well as learn about locating and identifying the phases of the moon. Boxes cost Dh95 each and can be ordered through the IlmKids Place Etsy shop or the website www.ilmkidsplace.com.
Ramadan Energy Bar
While there are a host of energy bars already available at supermarkets, Fajr Foods, an American company that delivers halal food supplements to American Muslims, has created an energy bar specifically for Ramadan. With a rich chocolate flavour and ingredients such as uncooked corn starch and soy protein, the low-fat, wheat-free bar makes a big promise: to maintain the blood sugar for up to nine hours. A box of four Ramadan Bars costs Dh36 and can be bought at www.ramadanbar.com.
The Essentials of Fasting
Published for the first time this year by the UK-based non-profit Essential Islam, this book offers a comprehensive guide to fasting. It covers the legal rulings about the moon sighting, actions that can invalidate a fast, factors that can exempt a person from fasting and the special circumstances relevant to women during Ramadan. The book aims to teach readers about the benefits of fasting during Ramadan, to maximise their spirituality and to make the month more meaningful. It costs Dh28 at www.shop.essentialislam.co.uk, where the company's frames, postcards and wall decals are also available.
Ramadan blog
The blog www.Ramadan.co.uk proclaims to be the leading online platform for Muslims living in the United Kingdom. However, its inspirational articles and tips are relevant to Muslims worldwide. The blog posts healthy recipes and features on topics such as managing diabetes while fasting, anger management and how to boost spirituality.
Ramadan Advent Calendars
Advent calendars are traditionally made from large boards or tapestries, with a tiny pocket for each day of the month, and are often used in Christmas celebrations – children get a surprise gift every day in December, leading up to Christmas Day. The Esty.com shop Hina’s Handmade Crafts sells a large Ramadan-themed advent calendar for Dh1,140, which features meticulously crafted Islamic motifs decorated with hand embroidery and fabric paint. On a similar theme, the Canadian home decor and accessories brand Embellish sells sets of 30-day advent bags. Made from linen and decorated with a glittered Moroccan star and number, the bag is the perfect size to fill with inspirational notes, sweets or trinkets.
Ramadan 2015 App
Muslim Toolbox has a Ramadan app for Android phones and iPhone. It provides prayer times, and suhoor and iftar times, for more than 250 countries, as well as options to set alarms and notifications to avoid missed prayers and oversleeping. The app also provides supplications and salutations in Arabic, with English translations and pronunciation guides, to be recited while breaking fast, along with the special prayers recommended during Laylat Al Qadr, or The Night of Power, which takes place during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
#ShareRamadan
Muslims are encouraged to challenge a friend, colleague or neighbour of a different faith to fast for one day and raise money for a charity. They then invite the friend to their house to break the fast with their Muslim family, take a photo and upload it to Instagram, Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #shareRamadan and nominate five friends to do the same. The idea is to teach non-Muslims about Islam and the spiritual process of fasting. Learn more about the initiative at www.shareRamadan.com.
artslife@thenational.ae
