JEDDAH: Saudi students abroad miss the Ramadan atmosphere of Saudi Arabia, their families and Arabic food. Being in a foreign country they have realized that it is unacceptable to be inefficient during the holy month.
"After being exposed to the outside world and its pace of living, I can't really excuse the Kingdom's inefficiency during Ramadan," said Ghada Mohammed, a 25-year-old Saudi student in London.
She said that prior to talking to Arab News she was at the Saudi Cultural Bureau and that Saudi and Arab employers were working professionally and competently. "My adviser there, for example, left the office at 7 p.m. keeping in mind that Maghreb prayer is at 7.48 p.m. I think it's all about the people you're surrounded with. If they're lazy, you will act lazy by default," she added.
"I just feel hungry as I missed the morning breakfast. It's a long day that starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. not to mention catching a bus or a train and having to change routes, but I'm doing fine," said Ghada Mohammed.
But not all Saudi students abroad get influenced by the atmosphere of excitement and activity surrounding them.
Malik Khalil, a 22-year-old engineering student in Germany, is ashamed at how some of his peers miss classes or come late. "Germans are very disciplined. Some of my Saudi friends leave a bad impression of the Kingdom when they come an hour late for class, and appear tired and sleepy," said Malik. Although Malik misses his family and everything about Ramadan in the Kingdom, he believes in making the best of any situation. He and a few friends gather everyday after class to prepare iftar.
"We invite friends we know to have iftar with us. Sometimes we take food to the nearest mosque and join Mus-lims of different nationalities. It's all about your attitude," he said. The Prophet (peace be upon him) led Muslims to victory over the idolaters of Makkah in the Battle of Badr, which took place in Ramadan.
The Prophet also taught Muslims that fasting is a form of jihad (striving for Allah) that teaches self-discipline and enhances one's ability to master one's needs and desires rather than being enslaved by them. Then what is anyone's excuse for incompetence during Ramadan?
