Saturday, August 23, 2008

Why we had time to travel

We were able to get away from work for a bit because Monday (8/18) is a holiday following Shab-E-Barat.

This is a Muslim holiday, but not one mentioned in the Koran. It is not observed widely outside of Bangladesh and I did not encountered it in Bosnia or Algeria.

But it means Night when Fates are Decided or Night of Forgiveness and it's something akin to a big bargaining session between Allah and his followers. They believe that what will happen to them -- and to all living creatures -- for the coming year is decided on this one night.

With so much at stake, they stay up all night praying in mosques and they cook up a storm of sweets and share them with the poor. Followers also fast during the day, visit the graves of loved ones and, in effect, practice for Ramadan, which is coming up Sept. 1, in hopes of making a good impression on Allah.

Again, I refer to http://www.dhakadweller.blogspot.com/ for a look at the food specialities of the day.

No comments:

Blog Archive