Do not look at my outward shape, but take what is in my hand. — Rumi
In Beirut–and all over the world–each day of Ramadan is a chance to help the most needy. I’ve been truly touched and inspired by the hard work of all the volunteers with whom I’ve served Ramadan dinners this week–volunteers young and old, Christian and Muslim, from organizations such as the Lebanese Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and GAM3.
I was especially happy to learn about the work of GAM3. GAM3’s mission is to “make urban sports and cultural activities available to everyone in order to empower youth and prevent conflict and marginalization.” I was very grateful for the opportunity to serve meals with the young coaches of these inner-city basketball teams–which are composed of more than 3500 young people. Since Beirut is the capital of street basketball in the Middle East, GAM3 hosts regular events like the “Play In Her Shoes Street-Basketball Tournament”–which was created in order to empower girls and young women.
Below are some pictures from the iftars–along with a poem of Rumi’s about a chickpea…enjoy!
Chickpea to Cook
A chickpea leaps almost over the rim of the pot
where it’s being boiled.
‘Why are you doing this to me?’
The cook knocks him down with the ladle.
‘Don’t you try to jump out.
You think I’m torturing you.
I’m giving you flavor,
so you can mix with spices and rice
and be the lovely vitality of a human being.
Remember when you drank rain in the garden.
That was for this.’
Grace first. Sexual pleasure,
then a boiling new life begins,
and the Friend has something good to eat.
Eventually the chickpea will say to the cook,
“Boil me some more.
Hit me with the skimming spoon.
I can’t do this by myself.
I’m like an elephant that dreams of gardens
back in Hindustan and doesn’t pay attention
to his driver. You’re my cook, my driver,
my way into existence. I love your cooking.’
The cook says,
‘I was once like you,
fresh from the ground. Then I boiled in time,
and boiled in the body, two fierce boilings.
My animal soul grew powerful.
I controlled it with practices,
and boiled some more, and boiled
once beyond that,
and became your teacher.’
–Rumi (translation by Coleman Barks)
