Ramadan of Muslim families in Saigon

When the sun sets, the women of Rophia's family gather to break their fast while the men go to church for worship.

"If all the family members gather, the house is not enough space," said Ms. Rophia. Their house is 4 meters wide and 20 meters long, and is home to three generations of the family.

Half a century ago, Ms. Rophia's father, Mr. Salayman, originally from An Giang, migrated to Alley 157, Duong Ba Trac Street, District 8. The alley is one of the 16 most populous Muslim parishes in Ho Chi Minh City, with about 3,000 people.

Mr. Salayman and his wife have 10 children, except for one who moved to Long Khanh City, Dong Nai to live, the rest have started families but do not have the conditions to live separately.

Mr. Salayman died in 2004 and the family now numbers 40. The house has two mezzanines, divided into 10 bedrooms for everyone to sleep in. They share two kitchens located in the front and back of the house.

“We live together in harmony and give in to each other,” said Rophia, Salayman’s seventh daughter. “Everyone takes turns working outside, so the house is not too cramped.”

During his lifetime, Mr. Salayman taught his children and grandchildren Islamic philosophy. His children learned Arabic from a young age and worshiped at the Jamiul Anwar Mosque, 50 meters from their home.

Adam Marryna's family members prepare food for a vegetarian meal on the afternoon of March 13. Photo: Ngoc Ngan

According to Muslim tradition, the fasting month of Ramadan is the most special occasion. This year the festival starts on March 11 and lasts for a month.

More than a hundred households in Alley 157, Duong Ba Trac Street, usually prepare for Ramadan from the beginning of March. Believers decorate the alleys with lights and flags. During this time, the area near the Jamiul Anwar Mosque, a place of religious activities for the community, is especially bustling in the afternoon and evening. People in the alley and Muslims from other places also flock here to buy Halal food.

During the entire month, the family does not eat or drink during the day, and tries not to swallow their saliva as usual. Eating and drinking only takes place after sunset, at 6:10 p.m. every day.

Adam’s sister-in-law Marryna, 40, usually prepares meals for the whole family at 3:30 a.m. so they can eat before 4 a.m. She uses Halal ingredients such as chicken, lamb, beef or vegetables bought from her neighbors who are also Muslim.

Marryna said that on normal days, each family cooks and eats their own meals, but Ramadan is the time for them to eat together. "If family members go to bed late and don't have time to eat before 4am, they are considered to have skipped a meal and have to fast until the evening," she said. "They only eat one or two bowls of rice for a meal and don't try to eat too much."

The family has nearly ten children. During Ramadan, children under 10 years old are allowed to eat and drink as usual. However, from the age of 13, they will practice fasting for half a day, until around 12 o'clock because they still have to study at school.

Adam Marryna taught his children the meaning of fasting, to express sympathy for the poor and hungry, and to train them against material temptations.

The main meal of the day starts after 6:10 p.m. and is prepared by the women two or three hours in advance. They prioritize soft foods such as porridge, stir-fried vegetables, ripe mango or watermelon. Liquids such as tea, grass jelly, and ginseng water are rotated daily.

"We use water first to soothe the throat, soft food to help the body adapt easily after a day of fasting," Ms. Rophia explained.

The custom has been maintained for decades, since they began to grow up, so they do not feel tired, hungry or exhausted. Alcohol and beer are taboo, so no one in the family gets drunk or quarrels.

The vegetarian meal at 6:10 p.m. of Mrs. Rophia's family (black and white flower hat), afternoon of March 13. Photo: Ngoc Ngan

While the women break their fast, about 10 men from the family go to the Jamiul Anwar Mosque to pray. They wear kapeks, shirts and sarongs and recite the Koran together to pray. They then have a meal at the mosque, consisting of cassava cakes, porridge and salad, prepared by the parishioners.

Mr. Haji Kim So, 72 years old, head of the Cham community management board of Anwar parish, said that Ms. Rophia’s family has lived in the area for more than 40 years. They are working class people with economic difficulties but live together, in harmony and love each other.

Before the afternoon meal on March 13, Mrs. Rophia reminded her children to quickly clear the dishes, while the group of children sat closer together to save space. At exactly 6:10 p.m., they raised their glasses at the same time as the chanting of prayers rang out from the cathedral.

Ngoc Ngan

Source: https://vnexpress.net/thang-ramadan-cua-gia-dinh-dao-hoi-o-sai-gon-4722251.html