Ramadan Kareem!

Spent last night making a meal for my friend, Ali. I say night because that's actually what it was...it was around 9:30PM when we finally sat down to eat. You see, my lack of understanding in the observance of Ramadan in the Islamic culture drove me to invite him over for dinner. Out of his kindness, he obliged but asked if it could be after sundown. At the time, it didn't even occur to me why.

Thank God I planned to make chicken on the grill and not the pork tenderloin I was GOING to make but actually forgot to defrost. I later learned that pork is the ONE meat they cannot eat, at any time. Nice one, Kasey. Anyway, Ali came over with my friend Ann we had a great time talking about his culture, Ramadan, what it's like to be an Iraqi man living in the United States. I learned a lot about Ali last night, but even more about my close-minded self. Though I do not personally observe Ramadan, I certainly have a greater respect and understanding for those who do!