Although the Ramadan has gone, I think it is worth looking back and see the effects of Ramadan in our Iranian life. It is interesting to see how the holy month of Ramadan can affect our life so dramatically in a way that not even policy makers or social planners could affect it. The first effect was this year on traffic jams in Tehran. The streets are silent, with less cars coming and going particularly after the Adan, breaking time. I can now open my windows at night without worrying about the polluted air; however, the Tehran dust is still there.
The food of Ramadan in Iran is different from other times, a sweet
product called ZOLBIYA and BAMIYEH, is the favourite sweety of this month. Second is ASH, a sort of soup or starter. We can see people in some streets standing and eating ASH free of charge, provided by charities or those who provide for the sake of God but the sole aim is not to distribute among the poor for example, in a shopping street like Valiasr middle class people can be seen standing and eating ASH. I just remembered the same event for those poor and rough people in some streets of western countries such as Russell Square in London. But if a Londoner look at the people in Iran eating ASH in the middle of the street at first glance it seems they are poor but if you look
at their clothing, you can see they are not. It is charity work but it is not the same as charities that distribute food among poor in the public areas. Most food shops are full after Adan, breaking time.
The price of food and fundamental product rises, as usual in this month as the demand will go up. Is it not interesting that the month of Ramadan is the month of fasting but the demand of food increases? I think it is better to say the damand will change because the pattern of consumption will be changed.
I think Ramadan is common ritual that it is necessary for us when we live in the modern world with ever increasing de-traditionlism and emancipation. People are following, more that ever, individual action.
(Thanks to Ali Ghadimi for his Persian note which inspired me in this note and to Shanar for her editorial comments.)
