Several Muslim communities residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recall their habits and traditions during the holy month of Ramadan through exchanging greetings, family gatherings on iftar banquets and preparations for this occasion. Members of Muslim communities seize the opportunity of their residence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, mainly during the holy month of Ramadan, to visit the Grand Mosque to perform Umrah or to visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah in light of preparations provided by relevant authorities to facilitate procedures for visitors and Umrah performers. Meanwhile, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) met with members of the Indian community who work in several professions in Rafha Governorate, who expressed appreciation and respect to the Saudi society for the decent treatment, noting that feelings during the holy month of Ramadan get closer among Muslims worldwide, where spiritualties of the month highlight how much Muslims yearn to this occasion. Indian resident Hafith Taylor, who has been working in a tailor shop in Rafha for 10 years, spoke about Ramadan habits and gatherings for iftar that are hosted with multiple languages at the Call and Guidance Association, noting that his Ramadan day starts at noon through going to the shop and working till almost the sunset, which is the time allocated to buy the food and head home. After the Taraweeh prayer, Taylor starts his second shift of work that lasts till midnight, when he gets back home to sleep till the time of suhour that is prepared from certain ingredients, such as rice mixed with Indian spices, cucumber and yoghurt. For his part, Lal Ahmad, who has been working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a driver for 20 years, said that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has prompted a lot of members of the Indian community to reduce gatherings and visits, especially during the weekends in Ramadan, where most of them now only go to work and for shopping when necessary and for short periods of time. Resident Mohammed Miraj, who has been working in a laundry shop for six years, referred to the most delicious Indian dishes that are presented in Ramadan, such the butter chicken with its sweet taste, which is made of boiled chicken with spices, butter, tomato sauce, cream and coriander, and this dish is usually eaten with white rice at the suhour time, in addition to other dishes like rice with lentil, milk bread, and other spicy Indian dishes whose spices are usually bought from herbalists. As for Ashraf Fal, who has been working for a barbershop for nine years, he said that some communities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during Ramadan recall some special traditions related to Indian food on some days of the week, such as the Indian samosa stuffed with potatoes, onions, peas and lentil, with the addition of several spices and oil fried, as well as Tandoori chicken with its distinguished flavor.
