What extraordinary pictures. They show a family breaking the first Ramadan fast in Gaza, just last night, where so many people still live in dangerous homes destroyed last summer. I saw these photos posted via We Are Not Numbers, an organisation that seeks to tell individual stories as a way to fight injustice.
There’s A LOT of story in these pictures, taken by a photographer named Ibrahim Faraj. I look at them and think above all: look what these children are growing up with as “normal.” If you have the opportunity to converse with Gazans, you realise quickly that they have all experienced a huge amount of immediate and personal loss– loved ones, family, friends, homes, possessions. In a picture like this, life nevertheless goes on, a feast after a fast, a fast that is a month of fasts, and this year’s Ramadan’s marking a near anniversary with the vast destruction a year ago.
And then there are the languid cats, whatever there is to say about them– cats being cats wherever they find themselves.
I’m alert to Ramadan this year, and was happy to see the Telegraph publish some multi-cultural recipes for what to eat when the sun goes down. I especially like the sound of this sweet, salty, spicy fruit salad. (I actually made and discussed a home-made Chaat, which is this side of still-not-stale, when I made this Punjabi Stew.)
And dates, a really traditional fast-breaking food. The most delicious Medjoul dates, IMHO, to be had in the UK at least, are imported by Zaytoun. You can find them in places that sell Fair-Trade delicacies. They are what I bring as house-warming and small thank-you gifts when such occasions occur. And special nibbles when we cannot resist.
Kitchen Counter Culture 
Speaking of dates, is it 2015AD or 1436 AH?
I see your point! 🙂
Such beautiful and haunting photographs.
Reblogged this on Feel the Word and commented:
Gaza insists that we are not numbers.
Reblogged this on snackishmusings and commented:
Food is the center around which culture gathers. In times of stress, disaster, or grief, we come to the table and rediscover what is most basic in our humanity–our goodness. When we share in a culture’s cuisine and food customs, we should be mindful of their meaning, seeing them in a rich context of life rather than a vacuum.
Israel PM says there is NO humanitarian crisis in Gaza and blocks all food shipments there; while the World watches and does nothing. Shame on our inhumanity