2 Toronto Muslims on spending their first Ramadan away from family

Muslims across the Toronto area and around the world have begun observing the month of Ramadan, including abstaining from food and water from sunrise to sunset — a 16-hour time period in Toronto — for 30 days.

Nasim Misrabi is a Syrian refugee who arrived in Canada this year and lives in Mississauga with four roommates, who are also Syrian.

Yasmine Hassan moved to Toronto from Montreal this year. She is a producer and contributor at CBC's Metro Morning.

The two young Muslims spoke to Metro Morning host Matt Galloway on Monday about what Ramadan means to them and how they'll try to make the most of it away from their families and homes. 

The following Q&A is edited for length and brevity.

MG: Nasim, tell us how you would usually observe Ramadan in Syria, before the civil war?

NM: Before the Syrian revolution, we used to spend this month with family. We used to eat together and there was a strong relationship between family members.  

Before the sunrise we used to eat together and listen to traditional music, cultural music. After, we used to go to pray and thank God for the graces. It's special in this month to eat with your father, mother together.

MG: What's your favourite memory about that time?

NM: There [are] special foods and drinks. There's a drink called Tamer Hindi. We didn't drink it or eat it in the other months. Actually, yesterday I entered the store and I found it and I celebrated with it.

MG: Yasmine, describe what that means to you for people that have never done this before. They might think the key thing is you get to eat — but you get to eat with people.

YH: Yeah, you really stop your life. Everyone does. My brothers in school, whoever was working, we would stop and make it a point to come together and sit at the dinner table and eat together and enjoy the moment. Just being grateful for each other's company and for the food that we had on our table and the ability to be together.

MG: What did that mean to have a focal point, to gather around the table with family, what did that mean to you?

YH: It meant a lot. I guess that's the whole point of the month — that you disconnect from the world, there's something greater out there. You feel like you're a part of something that's a lot bigger than yourself right now.

Being with my family meant that we all connected on that basis. We connected through this struggle of getting through the day, trying to control ourselves that way.

MG: Nasim, you are now here, in Canada. How will you mark Ramadan? 

NM: We have to prepare ourselves to make some meals. Everyday I call my mother in Turkey and ask her about the meals and how to cook. It's perfect to be here in Canada because I see everyone celebrate with me. When I walk in the street I see Ramadan signs.

It's actually so difficult [without my mother] because she made the meals, and she prepared the tables. It's so strange to do it on my own.

MG: What about you Yasmine? Family back in Montreal … what are you going to do?

YH: I was just talking to my mom last night, and she was saying have you prepared anything? Have you gone grocery shopping? And I kind of told her I'd probably end up eating out every night. I really miss her cooking and I miss being with my family for sure.

MG: This is also a month where people connect with the less fortunate. How will you reflect on that part of Ramadan in thinking of the poor and less fortunate?

YH: It comes up automatically when you're halfway through the day and your stomach starts to grumble and you go, "Oh I can't reach for the chocolate bar." You start to feel for people you might have walked by on the street. All of a sudden you go, "I feel for you, I know how you feel."

Maybe you might stop and talk, get them food. You just feel more generous.

MG: Nasim, for you was the experience similar?

NM: It's not similar. For seven years we used to hear about the poor man. When we ran off to Turkey, I saw the Syrian camps … so I was seeing the camps and the Syrians without any food or any drink, actually I lived two months without eating or drinking.

Ramadan is created to make us feel like those people.

MG: And you were one of those people?

NM: For two months actually. I lived the experience and after you live the experience, I know what food and grace really means and [what it means] to thank our God for blessings and grace.