Getting ready for Ramadan...

[doodlebug 3]

Shoot me now for saying this but I honestly fear Ramadan this year. Usama said that if he is here that he will want to go to the Mosque EVERY NIGHT. I'm sorry but between working full time, having to go home and take care of the kids, driving 20 minutes to go to a mosque for what....one...two hours? EACH NIGHT of a FULL MONTH is not something I look forward to. I wouldn't mind dropping him off but first of all the kids aren't even muslim and he knows that and I know they won't look forward to that not to mention they'll have mega homework since the oldest is starting middle school which is a big of enough transition as it is.

Otherwise I do look forward to the spiritual lift it gives me.

[hollyw 0]

We ate this dessert a lot last year during Ramadan...

Creamy Caramel Flan

Ingredients:

1 cup white sugar

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

5 eggs

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, cook sugar, stirring occasionally, until golden. Pour into a heated 10 inch round baking dish (I put mine in the oven for 5 minutes), tilting to coat bottom and sides. Set aside.

In a large bowl (or blender, I put mine in the blender), beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time, until well incorporated. Beat in condensed and evaporated milk and vanilla until smooth. Pour into caramel coated pan. Place baking dish inside roasting pan and place roasting pan on oven rack. Fill roasting pan with boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the baking dish.

Bake in preheated oven 50 to 60 minutes, until center is just set. Cool one hour on wire rack, then chill in refrigerator 8 hours or overnight. To unmold, run a knife around edges of pan and invert on a rimmed serving platter.

[melly 0]

Despite the fact that fasting is pretty hard for me (yes I know it's fairly hard for everyone!), I'm actually looking forward to Ramadan this year.

I'm starting to gather some articles and audio to listen to, to get myself ready.

Insha'allah I'll be in Egypt for the last of Ramadan and Eid. I'm so excited.

[aya*abouelnasr 0]

bump

[Meriem_DZ 37]

Shoot me now for saying this but I honestly fear Ramadan this year. Usama said that if he is here that he will want to go to the Mosque EVERY NIGHT. I'm sorry but between working full time, having to go home and take care of the kids, driving 20 minutes to go to a mosque for what....one...two hours? EACH NIGHT of a FULL MONTH is not something I look forward to. I wouldn't mind dropping him off but first of all the kids aren't even muslim and he knows that and I know they won't look forward to that not to mention they'll have mega homework since the oldest is starting middle school which is a big of enough transition as it is.

Otherwise I do look forward to the spiritual lift it gives me.

Hey Doodle. Our mosque is 45 minutes away. I am sure we will not go every night. I just wanted to say that my son is not Muslim either, but he loves to go with us when he can. He has made some really good friends with some of the boys his age. It gives him the opportunity to be around many different cultures and to learn more about Islam. Although his father would sh$t a brick if he even considered reverting. Inshaallah, when he is over 18, it will be his decision and nothing his father can say will matter.

Meriem

[doodlebug 3]

Thanks Meriem!

I've looked and looked to find anything I could re: parents who convert when they're kids are older...that is old enough to have a say in what they do. Most people that I know who converted either don't have kids yet or their kids were under 5 years old when they converted so they just took on the same religion. It's difficult at best but right now I'm just focusing on God in general with them. I leave Muslim Girl (I think that's the name of it) magazine lying around in the hopes that they'll get curious about it and I answer any and all questions, though they really don't ask me much of anything at all right now. I guess time will tell what happens, I just hope I doing this the right way though.

[doodlebug 3]

Does anyone else have fasts to make up before Ramadan starts? I think I have 7 but I can't remember. How many days left do I have?

[Meriem_DZ 37]

Ramadan is suppose to start around Sept. 13th, doodlebug. You better get going on those make up days.

Meriem

[caybee 21]

bump...

Just lookin' for recipes...

[♥JP♥ 5]

Why don't you guys post all the recipes in the pinned thread so everyone can keep track of them eaiser?

[doodlebug 3]

Is there an official start date yet? I miss Rhama being on this board. She always had the best links to find out exact dates and times, etc. and cool links.

[ya falaha! 0]

The unofficial start date is September 13. The official start date can't be determined until the night before since it is determined by the moon sighting. Also, some countries disagree so you'll have some countries starting one day and others starting another day. Like what happened last year. Egypt started the day after we did in the states.

[Carolyn 1]

From what I can tell, the official start date for Ramadan in North America will be September 13th--though that isn't necessarily the day that the moon will be sighted all across the continent.

I don't know all the details of the history, but from what I remember, a bunch of North American Islamic associations get together each year to decide on a date for Ramadan to start. I think the objective is to bring unity to the Muslim community here--if everyone was starting on a different day, then there would be people celebrating Eid, going to the mosque for the night of power, etc. all on different days.

I know that some people choose to start on the same day as in Mecca or in their home country.

Looking forward to harira!

Carolyn

P.S. The days are going to be long this year, eh? I am ok during the week (as a teacher I just avoid the cafeteria), but sundown is slow to come on the weekends!

[doodlebug 3]

From what I can tell, the official start date for Ramadan in North America will be September 13th--though that isn't necessarily the day that the moon will be sighted all across the continent.

I don't know all the details of the history, but from what I remember, a bunch of North American Islamic associations get together each year to decide on a date for Ramadan to start. I think the objective is to bring unity to the Muslim community here--if everyone was starting on a different day, then there would be people celebrating Eid, going to the mosque for the night of power, etc. all on different days.

I know that some people choose to start on the same day as in Mecca or in their home country.

Looking forward to harira!

Carolyn

P.S. The days are going to be long this year, eh? I am ok during the week (as a teacher I just avoid the cafeteria), but sundown is slow to come on the weekends!

Ok I knew there was some American organization that made a general official date.

I am going to go by that date and just start 7 days beforehand.......................which I think is Sep 6...............Thursday. THIS Thursday....

Serves me right for procrastinating.

[tnh9479 1]

The group is ISNA (The Islamic Society of North America). Not every imam in the US goes with their decisions. I know our local masjid does not -- they await news from other masjids around the US as to if the moon was sighted. The ISNA goes based on scientific/mathematical calculations.