Written By Fatimah Gimsay

When we think about Ramadan, images of communal activities like Iftars, Taraweeh prayers and many more come to mind. One of the best parts of Ramadan is the sense of community, and cultivation of familial bonds through spiritual activities. Unfortunately, with the rest of the world, the coronavirus has brought the world to a screeching halt, along with this year’s Ramadan. 

So, what happens when Ramadan happens to fall during a pandemic that has shut the world down? How will young Muslims cope without the annual joint iftars, Taraweeh prayers and other joint activities while on lockdown? Sadly, all these plans have come to pause. With the lockdown being extended and no end of the pandemic in sight, it only makes sense to start preparing for a different type of Ramadan; the one we are not exactly used to. 

It is normal to feel a sense of confusion, anger and a dash of grief because things are about to be a lot different than expected. With many people having to observe this Ramadan alone and away from family and friends in lockdown, Moreover, the uncertainty of these times adds an extra layer of anxiety during a religious month. 

On the bright side, millennials are beginning to adapt to this clime, by utilizing tools like the internet as a means to spread hope and share information. One of the key trends that have stemmed from this new wave is cooking, with people trying out different recipes since all we have this period is excess time.

Although the core tenets of the Islamic holy month is abstinence from food, I have found that cooking in itself is therapy, and has always been a coping mechanism for me during difficult times. 

Food is a universal language. Not everyone might be interested in the process but the end result is one that unifies us. Before this lockdown, there were countless safe places available to us with restaurants being somewhere on the top of the list. It was always fun dressing up to hang out with friends, family, colleagues or even alone in a good restaurant with good food. As a people, food brings us comfort in different circumstances, as such we seek out food when faced with stressful and traumatic situations, in some cases, using meals as a coping mechanism. From cooking shows to Mukbang videos, there are endless means through which we interact with food for our entertainment. 

Whether through cooking or just watching people eat or cook food, there’s something soothing about the art of food preparation and consumption. Some studies have found “cooking interventions to be used in rehabilitation settings”. Ideally, it should take less than 35 minutes to make a hearty and personal meal. Something that lets you tune out of the chaotic world and truly be one with your ingredients. There is always a reason we find ourselves drawn to cooking shows and competitions; they transport us to another world. The kitchen transports you to a place without worries, even when the mixing goes wrong, you’re fine with starting again. It explains the sudden increase in everyone taking us into their kitchens in this period and being fearless by inviting us to watch all the processes. Once you begin cooking, you understand it is okay to make mistakes, add a little too much of this and that, and it is importantly okay to start again. The kitchen is a safe space, it does not judge and it will not yell at you for messing, in real life. 

Feeling organised in the kitchen translates to other aspects of life. Scoring the precise measurements of ingredients for a delicious, gooey chocolate brownie or just cooking that one-pot meal to your own definition of perfection makes you rightfully feel like you can conquer the world. There’s a regained sense of control, calm and stability - a lot of these feelings that are currently missing in today’s world. Cooking that bowl of soup to just how you like it, reminds you that you can step into a peaceful space, get the right ingredients and do whatever you want, your way. Your wings are not clipped and the rules can be bent with one sole aim in mind - not burning down the kitchen. 

The idea of cooking every single day is going to be an extra turn off right now because morale is down and energy is gradually dying. The appeal is fading away and we are just trying to reach the end of an event we didn’t consent to participate in. However, one of the ways with which I have chosen to cope with loneliness is through food.

Food is amazing and I  won’t stop cooking or eating delicious meals simply because planet earth is going through her 50th phase of puberty. I am going to share a recipe that’s dear to my heart because I decided to make it one evening where I felt my head was going to explode, no thanks to the lockdown. It’s perfect if you’re alone and I hope you take it as a lovely treat. It’s a great Iftar meal if you’re a lover of chicken. 

Iftar for 1: Lemon Honey Roasted Chicken

For this dish, you will need:

Lemon Honey Marinade

2 Chicken drumsticks

Cooking oil

Baking pan

Lemon Honey Marinade

½ a cup of Fresh Lemon Juice

2 tbsp of Honey

1 tsp of Salt

Ground Black Pepper to taste

Dried Basil Leaves to taste

Dried Oregano to taste

Mix all together in a bowl.

• Ahead of time, marinate the chicken for as long as you wish and save in the refrigerator.

• Preheat your oven to medium heat.

• Lightly grease your baking pan with oil.

• Pour your chicken and marinade on the pan.

• Bake for 25 minutes (till super golden)

•  Enjoy with sides of your choice, alone or with a lovely drink.

Here’s the thing, nothing has to permanently change with how you planned to spend Iftars with family and friends. You may have to cancel physical meetings but nothing should stop you from video calls and keeping in touch with loved ones. It is time to introduce virtual Iftars and love your people from a distance. Some of us don’t bother to have Suhoor (the meal to start the fast) and we just go for the day, so maybe you can call right before or after Fajr when you know everyone is up.

Challenge yourself to ask your mother for the recipe of that meal you were looking forward to and recreate your own version if you can’t get the exact thing. Do not deprive yourself of having a blessed month. Order up some food and have it delivered to the ones you love with a sweet message attached. There were many Ramadans before this strange one and there will be more right after. Do not let it stop your traditions and routines. Do not let it take away more joy than it already has, okay?

Take care and stay safe.

Fatimah Binta Gimsay is a storyteller, content producer and author of The Lazy Halal Guide, a 20-recipe cookbook for halal meals. Currently, she writes for African Television and runs a food page called Lazy Halal Kitchen, on Instagram. When she's not writing or cooking, she's creating other art through photography and taking in the art around her.