Ramadan away from home: This UAE expat misses her mum's food

A Tanzanian expat has been observing Ramadan in the UAE for the past four years, but she misses the traditions and festivities back home. Sarosh Amin Vira is a 24-year-old social media executive and graphic designer who moved to Dubai in 2015, leaving her parents and one sibling behind in Mwanza, Tanzania.
She tries to keep her Ramadan traditions, especially the food and clothing, alive in her Dubai home. "Nothing beats my mum's cooking, though," she said.
"What I miss the most about Ramadan at home is the family gatherings and, of course, the home food. My mother would cook my favourite dishes, which I really miss, and we would eat at home as a family. After Iftar, we would all go to the mosque to meet our friends and relatives. We would pray together, catch up with one another, and stay out till almost midnight," Vira said.
Some of the food items her family and friends eat during Ramadan back in Tanzania are dates, samosas, kebabs and pilau (rice and chicken dish). 
"We also eat a lot of street food that is unique to Tanzania, such as mohogo (Swahili for cassava), sweet potatoes cooked on a charcoal grill sprinkled with salt and chili, and all the barbequed meats - beef Mmishkaki and gajjar chicken are some of my favourites," Vira said.
Keeping her family and country's traditions alive is very important to Vira, who frequently tries to cook her mum's recipes, especially during Ramadan.
Because her profession is on the creative side, she tries to incorporate her roots into her work. "I always try to hang on to the feeling of togetherness by spending time with the friends I have made in the UAE. I also love wearing my traditional clothes and prints from Tanzania to remind me of home, especially on days like Eid when I feel homesick," she said.
"Art and sketching are my biggest passions and, since leaving home, I have begun incorporating a lot of my Tanzanian roots to many of my art projects. Sometimes, I try to cook some of my favourite Tanzanian meals here in Dubai, but unfortunately, it never turns out the same. I guess nothing beats a home-cooked meal.
"Back at home during Eid, I would go to the mosque and pray in the morning. I would stay there for lunch, where they serve a special biryani and we would eat together as a community. At night, I would go out with friends and family to enjoy ourselves and also have dinner together.
"This coming Eid, I would probably try to do the same but I know it wouldn't be the same as back home. Nevertheless, I will still try and go enjoy myself."
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Ramadan 2021