Syrian refugee family says first Ramadan in Saint John is bittersweet

A Syrian refugee couple, who marked the beginning of their firstRamadanin Saint John on Monday, say they have mixed feelings.

Reham Abazid, 28, and Mohammad Al-Najjar, 32,areexcited because they get to celebrate theholy monthfor Muslimsin Canada, where it's safe. But they are alsosad because it's not the same without their entire family.

"It's a big difference between Ramadan in Canada and Ramadan in Syria," saidAbazid, who moved to Saint John four months ago with her husbandand theirtwo children.

During Ramadan, Muslims don't eat or drink anything, not even water, from sunrise to sundown. They only eatbefore sunrise, called Suhoor, and then break the fast atsundown, calledIftar.

Sunsets in Canada are later, so one difference will be fasting for about 18 hours each day, instead of 16 hours in Syria, said Abazid.

"The first day in Ramadan we usually sit together with my husband's family,or my family," said Abazid. "The good thing, I have my sister here in Saint John, so she will be with me at Iftar time."

For the first day ofRamadan,the feast is grander, which is whyAbazidwaspreparing a type of salad calledfatoush, a rice and chicken dish calledmaqlooba,andsoups and tea.

Abazid said there are many special traditional cuisines they normallyprepare for the holy month, except many of the ingredients cannot be found in Saint John.

Erk-sous, for example, isa traditional drink very popular in their household, but it is made from licorice root, which is impossible to find.

However the family is still grateful to be in Canada,saidAl-Najjar.

"The happiness and safety of our kids, makes our life and Ramadan so amazing here in Saint John," he said.