The last Friday of Ramadan that I will be in Tripoli..so I thought I will take
A walk through the city during the night.

Ramadan kareem..

The whole city comes alive in the night. Ramadan has so many nuances which are
Different when one lives in a Muslim country.

I stayed for a long time near "Old-Delhi" which has a Muslim majority population and could hear the morning Azan from Jumma Masjid in front of Red Fort of Delhi during my hostel days

However, the feel of joint prayers, fasting and festivity in Ramadan in a Muslim country is different.
***
Doktooor…Doktooor…the old man cried out as he saw me crossing the street in the night.

I had said a 'quick-nod-of-a-hello' to him and walked on as I knew there was a past 'connection' which was on his mind.

It all started over 5 years ago when he presented me the English translation of the Quran. I had tried to discuss a bit about religion (Against the advice of my seniors who has warned me about their persistent efforts to convert if you start discussions).
And I realized that they were right. Now he wants to know whether there is any "movement" inside me after having read the Quran.

For an old "conscious-atheist" as I call myself, I have read about Deism, Atheism, Monotheism, Polytheism a bit more than most people who profess to practice religion and believe in "God"..

But there was no "movement" inside me ..in the way that he wanted.

So I quickened my step…But he kept shouting..So I had to stop.

Give me back the copy if you do not want to read it, he said a bit impatiently.

It is in India. I will bring it back the next time I go, I told him.

Get it couriered tomorrow, he said.

Ok, Ok…I said..Now I avoid going through the street, especially in the night, lest I bump into my old Landlord
***
But I enjoy Ramadan in a different way, in its different nuances.

The scent of food when they break the fast.
The deserted streets when they are all inside..I take long walks at that time.
Going past Juma Mulai Mohamed..The Turkish built mosque with some beautiful marble inlays.Crossing the road from Mulai-Mohamed and touching the walls of Central (Hospital) the oldest teaching hospital of Tripoli, built during the Italian times
which reminds me of the British built campuses of Delhi and Mumbai
where I studied my medicine. The KEM and Irwin, JJ and Hardinge campuses.

Recording the Azan in the old city of Medina..

One feels Ramadan in so many different ways..beyond the routine which supposed to be there in the books.

Saha Saha...the Libyans invite me to join their breaking of the fast with dates and Halip or Lebaan (Milks of different types)

***
Maybe I will go and wish Ramadan Kareem to my old landlord too..
Though I know he will bring up the 'old-topic' again.