Kyiv, Ukraine – Mosab Albasyouni describes Ukraine, where he lived for six years, as his “second homeland”.
But every year as Ramadan approaches, the 24-year-old medical student from Gaza gets a pang of homesickness.
“During the holy month, of course, there is a better atmosphere in Palestine,” he says, “especially the social aspect that occurs in our society, between people and their relatives.”
After eating suhoor – the pre-dawn meal Muslims eat before starting the day’s fast – with his cousin Hadi, who is temporarily staying with him, he completes his morning prayers.
Mosab’s days are filled with studies as he prepares for his medical exams and this busy schedule means he can’t be with his friends who meet at the city’s Islamic Cultural Center for iftar, the fast-breaking evening meal.
But before leaving their apartment every morning, Mosab and Hadi always prepare typical Palestinian dishes for iftar – as a little reminder of their families back home.
“Ramadan in Ukraine is difficult because of the loneliness you feel when you live abroad – but I thank God anyway,” says Mosab.