Sydney mother of eight Ibtehaj Shahrouk is preparing sambousek, a traditional Lebanese pastry, with her children ahead of Ramadan.
The holy month begins this week across the world.
One of Ms Shahrouk's favourite parts of Ramadan is being able to break her fast with her family at home, something she was unable to do last year.
“I like to eat at home, I like to eat my own food and be at home with my own family," she says.
"Last year, I felt so restricted ... it’s heartbreaking.”
Ramadan is a month of spiritual connection and unification where observers fast from dawn to sunset.
Ibtehaj Shahrouk with her grandchildren. Source: Supplied
Last year, it fell at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, which meant many traditions and rituals, such as hosting friends and family for dinner or dessert, had to be cancelled.
“Last year’s Ramadan was very quiet, very sad, very emotional [because] you can’t have all your family with you ... It was different than any Ramadan ever that I can remember,” Ms Shahrouk says.
But with restrictions eased this year, she is looking forward to bringing all her family together.
“Having all my family together at once, that's really good. We break our fast, we pray and then we come and eat and then we do Taraweeh [special prayers] together, we can go to the mosque now.”
Ms Shahrouk is also looking forward to being able to cook and deliver food for people in need, another thing she was unable to do last year because of COVID-19.
Ibtehaj Shahrouk with her family. Source: Supplied
“We usually cook for people in need, I do it once a week, I’ll be able to do that again.”
Mosques open again
Hundreds of people normally gather together every night at their local mosque for Taraweeh prayers, performed every night during the month of Ramadan.
But last year it wasn't possible.
Sheikh Yahya Safi, the imam at Lakemba Mosque in Sydney says: “Last year Ramadan was exceptional times for us because something happened that never happened before, which is closing the mosque completely. We cannot come to the mosque to pray.”
Lakemba Mosque. Source: SBS News
Now that restrictions have eased, he is looking forward to seeing people returning.
“We hope in Ramadan people are coming back to the mosque to pray Taraweeh, to pray five prayers in the mosque, to pray Friday prayer, to listen to recitation of the Quran, to listen to many sermons during the day," he says.
"It is a time for us to join, to be together, to gather together, to have this opportunity to chat, to discuss, to meet.”
Businesses still feeling the impact
But as most Ramadan celebrations revert to normal this year, the business side of things is still struggling.
Osama Haddad has been operating a night food stall at Sydney's Lakemba street markets since 2013.
His restaurant, Lazeez Lebanese Cuisine, serves traditional Lebanese food, but, during the annual markets he serves something a little more special.
“We're doing what we do best: our famous shawarma [a type of kebab].”
Osama Haddad at his restaurant. Source: SBS News
He says the markets are as much about the experience as the food, and they are critical for restaurants that close during the day while people are fasting.
“People will finish Taraweeh prayer ... and after fasting all day, they like to try a lot of things at night. It was a very good experience and it got bigger and bigger.”
But after the markets were cancelled last year due to COVID-19, he says some businesses are now struggling to recover.
“If it wasn’t for night trading, you wouldn’t survive, it’s better for us to just close the whole shop.”
Opposite Mr Haddad's restaurant is Afghan Sufra.
A chef cooking at Lazeez Lebanese Cuisine. Source: SBS News
Its owner Salim Deeni is baking traditional Afghan bread and says his business was impacted by the closure of the Ramadan markets.
“It did affect a lot, especially when Lakemba got a hotspot, it affected a lot of businesses," he says.
"But we tried to survive and still because of the Muslim community people need to come here, there is the mosque, it's better now.”
While it's still uncertain whether the night markets will be held this year, many business owners are planning to open their restaurants, including Mr Deeni.
Salim Deeni making traditional Afghan bread at his restaurant Afghan Sufra. Source: SBS News
“Every year we do Kunafa [a traditional dessert] here so this year we’re thinking of opening this window so we can put a stall and serve people."
