Meri

Name – Merima Baralic (Meri)
Age - 23
Location – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nationality – Bosnian - Croatian
space - meri.nomadlife.org

Religious background – I was born in a Bosnian Muslim, Sunni (dad), Croatian Catholic (mum) and an Orthodox (grandma) family where religion was not a big issue and therefore was never forced to decide. Today at home we practice both religions and celebrate all holidays but since I am living in Bosnia which is not a very religious country I don't pray, I don't abstain from alcohol and I do eat pork. It might be difficult for some people to understand but my goal is not to become a good Muslim and respect the rules 100% but become a good person and take the best out of religion. I too am a believer but not a follower.

Current occupation – student and a youth consultant for The World Bank office in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The things I love about Ramadan – The way the atmosphere of the city changes. Everything becomes slower, more relaxed and people tend to stick together more.

The hardest/most annoying thing about Ramadan – Not being able to drink water

What I want to get out of Ramadan this year – For me fasting is not about not eating, drinking or smoking, it is about learning more about yourself and trying to cleanse yourself from the sinful sides of life. It is also a special time for most of my Muslim friends when they gather together and support each other whether it is during prayer, Iftar, Sehur or any other time of the day.

My best Ramadan memory – Living in Turkey for many years, I had become accustomed to Ramadan traditions but moving to Bosnia which is much smaller and a more intimate country I have learned that Ramadan is the time for families to come together and during which people support each other. The best memory has to be seeing traditional Bosnian cooking during Iftar for the first time and all the different kinds of sweets, drinks…