Sweet taste of old days

The religion before the Revolution was something totally different. In my mind, the memories of those days can not be separated from the religion and the people who practiced it inside their homes. Whatever related to religion was humane and it had nothing to do with what we experience as Islam these days. Despite this aggressive, dominant, angry ideology the clergies try to impose on us framing our most private parts of life, full of 'should's and 'should not's, Islam before the Revolution was of the grannies praying the God three times a day, fasting, mourning for holy people martyred by evil bastards some time back in the history. That religion had nice smell, beautiful feature, human scale. It helped the people to overcome their difficulties, it gave warmth to their hearts, it encouraged them to be better, to be more human, to act more proper. The God of such a religion was merciful and companionate. It always gave another chance to people to correct themselves and take refuge with him. It was kind and always was ready to forgive if the people tried even slightly to compensate their sins. Religion always gave us lessons about being honest, being nice to others –especially to the neighbors-, respecting the elderly people, helping those in need, avoiding lying, being decent and patient. I think for many of us, the initial values were shaped by the religion.

Of the very sweet memories of the old days are the nights of Ramadan. During this month, the practicing Muslims fast. The fasting begins with the beginning of lunar month called Ramadan and is ended at the end of it. The people celebrate the ending day –called Eid- and resume the normal life afterwards. During a Ramadan day beginning with the sunrise, ending at the sunset, the people, don't drink, don't eat, don't smoke, don't tell lies, don't curse, don't bother others, etc. Close to the sunset, the happy activities of preparing for Iftar begin. A cloth – we call it 'sofrah'- is spread on the floor or on a table, different kinds of sweets, fresh vegetables and fruit, bread, cheese, honey and date (differs from time to time, family to family) are put on it. A samavor is added to these, boiling and making happy noise for the tea to be served. The people wait for the sunset and Azan- call for the Pray in Arabic sung from Mosques. Those who fast, usually begin the Iftar with a cup of boiling water or a cup of tea and then continue with other foods on sofrah. I never have fasted but I remember I was always more enthusiastic than my mother who usually fasted. I helped her to bring the stuff and was counting the seconds for Azan. Azan just took a few minutes to end, but for me it lasted hours, too long. Ramadan also had its special cookies and sweets. The most famous one cooked and served everywhere in the country was called Zulbia and Bamia. Even the sweets in those days had different taste.

Before the Revolution, the religion was just a part of the life. It was not its whole. Balanced and logical, it occupied the most sincere and pure moments of lives. It was totally different from what it is now. I miss those days.

The pictures show making another sweet of Ramadan called 'Reshte Khoshkar'. This sweet is made in the north of the country but these days you can find it in Tehran too. A mixture of water and starch is poured into this a cone and is poured on a hot tray as you see. The delicate net is cooked and later stuffed with a mixture of sugar and smashed walnut. The whole is dipped into a thick syrup at the end. To see the procedure begin with the bottom of the page please.
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