The blessed month of Ramadaan is flying by so fast that it’s hard to believe that we are already halfway through it.
In Cape Town the midway mark in Ramadaan means that we are officially "oppie berg", that is, if you’ve had an uninterrupted fast.
The term oppie berg does not mean that one is physically at the top of Table Mountain or Mount Kilimanjaro, but is more symbolic.
It symbolises the difficult spiritual climb that all Muslims embark on during the first half of the holy month Ramadaan.
This is the period that the body adapts to not eating, drinking or having sexual intercourse between dawn and sunset.
The term is also used by women for when they’ve managed to make it to 15 days without getting their monthly period, as they cannot fast during that time of the month.
So slamat to all of those who have made it oppie berg.
It is also quite pleasant to see people making their way to the mosque for taraweegh salaah at night and by now most masjids would have recited just over half of the Quran during these nightly prayers.
The goal is to complete the entire Quran before the end of the pwasa.
Reciting and even listening to the Quran is spiritually rewarding and Muslims strive to get this reward from the Almighty especially during Ramadaan, for this is when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him.
This is why last Ramadaan we missed being able to go to mosque so much.
In Cape Town the vyftiende pwasa is also known as boeber aand, and the sweet treat is a reward for those who are oppie berg.
Just like when we were kids when we ate our Sunday lunch and if you finish the entire meal you get dessert.
But the Cape Malay boeber tradition is now being celebrated by one and all in Cape Town.
Everyone I know – and I mean from all races and religions – look forward to getting a taste of lekker Kaapse boeber on the fifteenth of Ramadaan.
Neighbours reserve their koppie boeber the night before and mense make their way to the homes of their Muslim tjommies for their bakkie boeber.
Nowadays this night is celebrated in a big way because many charities also have boeber drives for the needy to make sure everyone has something lekker to eat on the night.
To those who made it oppie berg, slamat, and to those who did not, on a spiritual level, there is still time to conquer that mountain.
Even if you haven’t fasted one day so far, do not feel ashamed to start now.
A day of sincere fasting might just be more effective than someone who fasted the entire month, so use these last 15 days wisely.
To the agter-die-bak eaters, you still have time, nou is die bak oppie way af vannie berg af.
The spirit of Ramadaan is alive again this year and it’s beautiful to see it and to be a part of it all, even the koekies gee tradition is back, even though you’re still wearing a mask to your neighbour’s house.
Let’s stay positive and keep safe, because there are talks of a third wave of Covid-19 hitting us in mid-May.
If we all take the necessary precautions, we could have a blessed Labarang making Eid salaah inside the mosque this year with our friends and family, Insha Allah Ameen.