Friday, 29 March 2024 12:49

Ramadan in Brazil: An ode to tolerance and living together

Thursday, 09 July 2015

With the advent of Ramadan begins for Muslim expatriate communities a quest to come closer together with their peers, a need dictated by the values ​​of solidarity and brotherhood preached by Islam but also by a desire to recreate the typical spiritual atmosphere of this holy month.

The Muslim community living in Brazil is working hard to celebrate the holy month as it should in a pious atmosphere of love and solidarity, as evidenced by the variety of organized activities and initiatives of solidarity by some 120 mosques and cultural centers in the country.

Sao Paulo, Brasilia via Curitiba, Muslims of Brazil make it a point of honor to strengthen their ties and share their values ​​in a country considered a melting pot of different cultures, ethnicities and religions living side by side in peace and well living together.

For Essadik Cheik El Otmani, Secretary General of the Higher Council of Imams and Islamic Affairs in Brazil, traditional collective fast breaking programs play an important role in the rapprochement between the members of the Muslim community of all origins, and exchange views on their daily lives.

Moreover, the spirit of interfaith tolerance that characterizes Brazil allowed the Muslim community, estimated at 1.5 million people, to "live their religion in an atmosphere of coexistence, understanding and mutual respect," said the same source to MAP news agency.

"The Brazilian experience in respect of religion and freedom of worship far exceeds that of Europe, which has allowed Islam to flourish in this country," notes Mr. El Otmani, recalling Islam, whose presence dates back to the XVII century, "is a component contributing to the country's history."

During this month, Brazilian mosques, including the mosque Brasil of Sao Paulo, becomes the preferred destination of the faithful seeking spiritual renewal, says the author of the book "History of the Muslims of South America: Back to Basics."

Regarding customs accompanying this holy month, the director of Islamic Affairs of the Federation of Islamic Associations in Brazil emphasizes the prominence of Eastern traditions because of the large wave of Palestinian, Syrian and Lebanese immigration that the country experienced over the last century, welcoming the great culinary diversity that characterizes the month of Ramadan, where Oriental North African and Brazilian dishes, come together in harmony.

Although a minority with around 1,500 members scattered across the vast territory of Brazil, the Moroccan community is, too, to preserve its traditions and maintain ties with their countries of origin, says Abderazak Nassib, based in Curitiba (southern Brazil ) for 12 years.

"Brazil and Morocco have many similarities to the extent that the spirit of religious tolerance prevails," he says, recalling that the giant of Latin America has nearly 150 cults and religions that coexist without clashes or prejudice.

Proud of his origins, Nasib, member of the Union of Journalists of Curitiba, says that Ramadan takes place in the company of family and Moroccan friends who have just settled in the country around a steaming bowl of the well famous Harira.

According to him, sharing and conviviality are the essence of this month of great spirituality, where homesickness is most felt despite the best intentions.

Having grown up in the popular neighborhood of El Akkari in Rabat, Nassib can only recall with nostalgia the sweet memory of busy markets, the shopping alleys, spice odors and sips of honey delicacies and the festive atmosphere that was the secret of this month of recollection and piety.

Due to the strong presence of the Arab community estimated at 12 million people, Muslims of Brazil are spoiled for choice when it comes to stocking up on pastries and different victuals typical of their home countries.

A finding checked in Brasilia, where consumer products of oriental cuisine, dates and spices, find buyers in supermarkets but also in various specialized stores, which saw their sales literally double during the month of Ramadan.

Branca, a saleswoman in a good Oriental food store to the capital, reported a craze for Arab pastries like Qataef, the Maamoul, Baklava during this period, noting that the Brazilians are fond of Arabic cuisine as evidenced by the fact that dishes like Sfiha, the Kibbe or "Cuz Cuz" local variation of Couscous, figure prominently in the national cuisine.

Various factors helping the Muslims of Brazil therefore boast a unique spiritual experience, where respect and tolerance are the credo of a nation with different cultures, colors and religions.

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