Three-month Ramadan, anyone?

Happy belated Eid, Happy Free Libya. My Eid celebration of a feast at an Eritrean restaurant were cancelled due to a bike accident. No broken limbs or neck, just badly bruised, cuts and concussion. The policeman told me that next time you’d smash that head of yours into smithereens if you do not wear a helmet. And he added, “ People who have long necks should be panned from riding bikes.”

Hum!

Anyway, this Eid is a bittersweet one at all levels, Libya, personal, etc, etc.

Oh well, I’m not complaining; mornings are NOT mornings without a gigantic mug of good brewed coffee. Ahh, ya salam.

When I was a kid (that was about ten years ago), just like all kids, I loved Ramadan. Who didn’t? All those yummy Libyan soup, Imbatan, Fasolia bel dajaj, Mahalabiya, Isfenz, Zlabia and Makhariq (oh drool, drool), etc, etc. Of course all kids loved Ramadan, oblivious to what is awaiting them when they grow and have to observe the month (not really have to; many people do not these days, which I can understand). Before I go, I leave you with this funny true story from my childhood. I swear it is true. :D

I remember one Ramadan when I was about six, I and a horde of my cousins decided that we love Ramadan so much, we will make an intense prayer for God to make it three months instead of one month only. So, we did our hasty ablution and spread the mats and began our intense prayer for a thee-month Ramadan.

One of my cousin was the leader and she started by chanting, “ Oh Allah, the Merciful, the Great, make Ramadan three months.”

We echoed feverishly, “The Merciful, the Great... Ameeen”

And then we heard this “Bang”. We looked startled and there was my grandma, maternal grandma, with a stick waving it in a threatening mode.

She yelled, “What? You pray for a three-month Ramada? You, little devils. May we hear, may we be safe (Nasma3oo wa Naslmoo) Go, go, may Allah grant you no wish. Go, you seeds of devils. (Zeree3at Iblis)

And we scattered running for shelter from her stick. Hahaha.

This story never fails to bring smiles to my face, not just for our childish wish but also for my grandma belief that God may grant us such a wish. :D Bless her gentle soul. She was a great character.

Happy Eid, Happy Free Libya Everyone!