But the holy fasting month of Ramadan gives him a chance to see
his friends and relatives at "family Iftar” and "mass Iftar”, two popular
features of Ramadan for Georgian Muslims.
"Long distances, heavy work
schedules and unavailability of mosques are the major factors that keep
Georgian Muslims, especially in Tbilisi away from each other for most of the
year,” Mukarram, in his late 40s, told OnIslam.net.
"Even close family members do not see each other for months
because of work schedules and long distances.”
Mukarram, of Azeri origin, who was
born and brought up in Tiblisi, says that family Iftar at home and mass Iftar
at Saburtala mosque, the only official mosque in Tiblisi, provide a rare chance
to Georgian Muslims to see each other.
"Our group of friends has planned
to sponsor a mass Iftar at the Mosque, where not only our friends, but the
foreign (Muslim) students studying here will also be invited,” Mukarram said.
Mukarram and family also plan to
arrange an Iftar for his relative and family friends, whom they otherwise
hardly see during 11 months of the year.
"It (Ramadan) is a special month
for the entire Muslim Ummah,” Elnaz Nouri, the wife of Mukarram, told
OnIslam.net.
"But for us, it has a great social
importance as well.”
Attired in long skirt and a loose
shirt and covering her head with white scarf, Elnaz too appears to be excited
about Ramadan.
"My two sisters, and a brother live
in and around Tiblisi, but we hardly see each other because we all are working
people,” Elnaz said.
"Their children, who all are grown
up now, are studying in different parts of Georgia, and they all get together
in Ramadan, particularly in the last ten days.”
