How Refugees Celebrate Ramadan

April 12th was the beginning of Ramadan, and over on USA for UNHCR’s blog, they’re spotlighting a few refugees and how they’re celebrating the Islamic holiday.

Abdelwahed (above), has been a refugee in Jordan for the past nine years. He talks about how different Ramadan is for him in Jordan than it was at his home in Homs, Syria: “Ramadan in Homs was beautiful. I used to go to work before dawn, have Suhoor at the shop and stay up all night. I used to pray in the afternoon then take my children for a ride in the car, as a treat to smell the fresh air,” he says.

They also share a bit about Abdallah, a 13 year old boy who cares for his visually impaired mother. When he gets home from school every day, he organizes their laundry and takes her to the local market to buy fruit. They’ve been living in a small apartment for the past nine years, also in Jordan, and will be fasting and praying for Ramadan at home this year.

His mother, who lost her sight as a result of the psychological effects of the Syrian conflict, gushes about Abdallah: “The best moment of the day is when Abdallah is next to me. Even if he leaves me just for an hour, I feel sad and worried. He is the only thing left for me in this life.”

To read more about how refugees are celebrating Ramadan this year, click here, and thank you so much USA for UNHCR for sharing these stories!!!

(above images & information via USA for UNHCR’s website)