A day in Eastleigh during Ramadan: From dawn to midnight
During the late morning hours, Eastleigh remains relatively quiet. Most people focus on work or rest. Unlike other months, there is little activity in restaurants and food stalls due to the ongoing fast.
In Eastleigh, the month of Ramadan transforms daily life. From dawn until midnight, the routine of residents follows a distinct pattern shaped by fasting, prayer, and work.
The day begins early at around 4.30 am as people wake up for suhoor, the pre-dawn meal. Some prepare their meals at home, while others head to the few hotels that remain open at this hour. The streets are quiet, with only a few people moving about.
More To Read
By 5.20 a.m., the time for suhoor ends, and people prepare for Fajr prayer, the first of the five daily prayers in Islam. Some head to mosques for congregational prayers, while others, especially women, pray at home.
After Fajr, some people go back to sleep, while others prepare for the day’s work. By 6 am, a few people can be seen heading to their workplaces. However, businesses in Eastleigh open later than usual during Ramadan. Hotels, which usually serve breakfast, remain closed. By 6 am, finding an open hotel by 8 am is nearly impossible.
During the late morning hours, Eastleigh remains relatively quiet. Most people focus on work or rest. Unlike other months, there is little activity in restaurants and food stalls due to the ongoing fast.
At 1 pm, it is time for Duhur prayers. Many people gather in mosques for the midday prayer, as praying in congregation is believed to bring more blessings.
By 2 pm, preparations for iftar, the meal that breaks the fast, begin. Some women go to the markets to buy groceries, while restaurants and food vendors start preparing meals. The demand for fresh vegetables, fruits, and other cooking ingredients increases around this time.
Muslim women are seen shopping for groceries along Second Avenue’s Sixth Street, gathering ingredients for the preparation of Iftar. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)
At 4 pm, after the Asar prayers, Eastleigh’s streets become busier. More people can be seen outside, either finishing their work or preparing for iftar. The roads are filled with vehicles, and businesses become more active as people buy supplies for the evening meal.
By 6 p.m., food vendors selling iftar snacks set up their stalls along the streets and near major mosques.
The air is filled with the aroma of fried and grilled foods, attracting customers. Popular items include samosas, bhajias, and other deep-fried snacks that are traditionally eaten to break the fast.
At 6.48 p.m., the Maghrib adhan is called, signalling the end of the fast. People immediately break their fast, often with dates and a cup of water, followed by snacks or a meal.
The streets become quieter as people gather in, restaurants, or their homes to eat. Hotels, which remained closed during the day, are now full of people having their first proper meal since dawn.
Families sit together to share their evening meal, strengthening social bonds.
After Maghrib, there is a short rest before Isha prayers at 8 pm. At 8.30 pm, Taraweeh prayers begin. These special prayers performed only during Ramadan, can last up to an hour and are attended by large congregations.
Muslims walk home after taking part in Tarawih prayers at the Business Bay Square Mall Mosque in Eastleigh. (Photo: Abdirahman Khalif)
By 10 pm, after Taraweeh prayers, most people return home. Some eat again before preparing for bed. Others stay up to socialize or complete personal tasks.
Despite the late hour, some businesses, including shops and hotels, remain open to serve those who need food or other essentials.
However, by 11 pm., the district becomes quieter as people go to sleep, preparing to wake up early for another day of fasting.
During Ramadan, the atmosphere shifts from quiet mornings to lively evenings as residents adjust their schedules to accommodate religious and daily obligations.
This cycle repeats daily throughout the holy month, creating a unique rhythm that defines life in Eastleigh during Ramadan.
Top Stories Today
