Interview: Moroccan Atheist Reveals How He Spends Ramadan

[rug]

Wednesday 23 July 2014 - 09:37
Aziz Allilou

Rabat- Ramadan is the most adored month for Muslims around the world. Muslims look forward to it all year long. Yet, to an atheist in a Muslim country, Ramadan is the most “damned” month in the year. They label it a month of “torture.”

During the holy month of Ramadan, all pleasures such as eating, drinking, sex and others are prohibited from dawn till dusk for a period of 30 days. The rituals are observed by the majority of Moroccans along with the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims.

However, there are some Moroccans — in particular youngsters — who go against the grain, renouncing God and declaring themselves openly atheists.

To them Ramadan is the worst month in the year, because they have to mimic the religious beliefs of those around them, and fake their own, just because they live in a Muslim country.

http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2014/07/135150/interview-moroccan-atheist-reveals-how-he-spends-ramadan/

[cbayer]

1. I guess all non-muslims in Morocco experience the same thing.

I wonder if that will change over time. Not being able to eat in public seems pretty severe.

[rug]

2. I have a friend whose family is from Yemen.

They're observing Ramadan. He told me they break the fast at night with chocolate filled dates his family sends from Yemen. He runs the tobacco shop where I buy cigarettes, so I asked him if he could bring me in one the next day. He said he would but he can't share food during the daytime either.

As it turns out, his shop is right next to DunkinDonuts. So, the next day I went in to get cigarettes holding a bag of jelly donuts. He gave me a hairy eyeball so I took one out and slowly started eating it. We yelled at each other about dates and donuts and then laughed.

[cbayer]

3. I would love to experience Ramadan first hand.

My son-in-law went to Pakistan to stay with his family for a week and his stories (related to us through our daughter) were fascinating. Everything revolved around the schedule.

To be honest, it's not a bad concept. Completely changing up your life and disrupting all of your routines can be very enlightening.

That's why I am loving this immersion travel phase I am in.

So,, did you get your chocolate filled dates or not? Did he get his donut?

[rug]

4. No, and No.

the bastard.

[cbayer]

5. Some rules are just not worth breaking.

You know what I mean.

Maybe you should make a smoke run after sundown?

[rug]

6. Here's the thing.

He's from the Bronx. He goes back down every week.

We were talking about White Castle once. There's no White Castle here within 90 minutes. So, my good friend Ahmed said he'd bring me some. Did he? Nooo.

And now, no chocolate-filed date. I see escalation on the horizon.

[cbayer]

7. What's his excuse for not bringing you the White Castle?

That's just not the kind of thing you promise, then don't follow through on. That's close to unforgivable.

BTW, the frozen white castle burgers aren't bad. Might even be better than ones that sat on the front seat for a couple of hours.

Escalation may be what is needed. What is your next move?

[rug]

8. He has none, the weasel.

When I finally went down to Queens to get some, I brought him an empty box as a reminder.

He wants me to do a name change for him. He never reads anything he signs. He could come out of it named Percy. I have an ethical dilemma.

[cbayer]

9. I know you will make the right decision.

Percy isn't so bad.

[okasha]

10. How about Ethelbert?

Ethelbert Percy-de Thwenge has a nice, aristocratic ring to it.

[rug]

11. It does sound like he'd eat in, if not live in, a Castle.

[okasha]

12. While wearing a regimental tie

and dining on boiled beef.