Ramadan at No.1 - Learning from our Intercultural Matches

This Ramadan, we have been speaking to an older befriendee who has been navigating the festivities during Covid. Here is what she had to say: 

‘During the Ramadan I sleep, pray, sleep and pray. I am fasting the whole day and then have a late dinner. Sometimes my friend drops off food for me. Then I am up a whole night when I read the Quran and pray. I am so happy I received a new iPad from No.1 so now I can read the Quran on its screen. It is much better for my eyes. After Ramadan I usually meet up with people in a mosque. Everyone is dressed in colourful and beautiful clothes and there is plenty to eat. I love cooking for my friends but unfortunately because of Covid I won't be able to celebrate it as I normally would. 

‘I was talking to Suzannah about Ramadan and she is interested and listens. Sometimes I tell her very painful things because she is my friend. We love exchanging recipes. When the lockdown is over we are planning to meet up.’

We are happy to have been able to give her the technology to access the Quran and that she has a non-Muslim befriender with whom she can share her religion. This shows the beauty of befriending and how strong intercultural relationships can thrive. Zahrah, our volunteer who appeared on our blog in March as an example of inter-generational befriending, will be sharing her knowledge of Ramadan with her befriendee, Sandra; the cultural exchanges that take place through befriending friendships flow both ways and enrich the lives of everyone involved. 

We are excited by the opportunity to bring diverse people together, and if you are interested in becoming a befriendee or volunteer, please contact info@befriend.org.uk.