On Monday 20 March 2023, Lina Jebeile, a food photographer and stylist based in Sydney, Australia, appeared on the ABC News morning show to discuss the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and share some traditional Lebanese dishes.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and it is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection. During this time, Muslims refrain from consuming food and drink from dawn until sunset. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and it is seen as a way to purify the soul and draw closer to Allah. The fast is broken each evening with a meal called iftar, often enjoyed with family and friends. The month of Ramadan is also a time for increased charitable giving and community service.
Lina explained the significance of Ramadan, saying:
“It’s also a time for us to kind of reflect and try and build good habits, you know, endurance and the time for reflection and everybody is really different, you know, what they focus on. So, you know, if you really think I need to work on my patients, then that’s what I’m going to try and work on Because the idea is if you’re impatient or get angry really quickly or rude or whatever it is, you’re kind of breaking your fast as well. So it’s not just about eating and drinking.”
Lina also discussed the challenges of fasting during Ramadan, admitting that the first few days can be difficult, but that the body quickly adjusts to the fasting. She went on to explain some of the traditional dishes associated with Ramadan, including “Masha’teeh”, a type of bread spiced with aniseed powder that is often eaten at “Suhoor” time, the pre-dawn meal before the fast begins. She also highlighted the importance of dates during Ramadan, both as a Prophetic food and for their nutritional value.
When asked about how non-Muslims can support their Muslim colleagues during Ramadan, Lina emphasised the importance of empathy and understanding, saying:
“The percentage of Muslims in Australia is kind of big enough that you may have Muslim colleagues who are participating in Ramadan in fasting. Be a bit more respectful, a bit more understanding, because although we try and pull through with the fasting, you know, sometimes by the end of the day, your energy levels kind of drop. There are also a lot more prayers and things like that that we do. It’s important for employees and colleagues to kind of be understanding and be a bit empathetic of what you’re going through, you know, to not schedule meetings, for example, because you want to be with your family and your friends breaking your fast and things like that.”
Lina, the creator of ‘The Lebanese Plate,’ is passionate about sharing her love for Middle Eastern cuisine and has created content for some of Australia’s largest brands and companies. She has also been chosen as a contributor to ‘New Voices on Food,’ an anthology celebrating the diversity of voices in the Australian food landscape. Lina’s online store offers a wide range of Lebanese recipes, essential spices, and cook-at-home kits.
Comments