Ramadan is the most important month in the lunar Muslim year, during this month Muslims around world practice the 4th pillar of the Islamic faith which is “fasting Ramadan”, This month is very loved and well celebrated in Muslim countries and that is why some people give their boys the name Ramadan.
Ramadan is not just a holy month to practice fasting but its also the time to put lights and decorate streets, building entrances and balconies.
Few days before Ramadan starts, the kids of the neighborhood will start to gather and contribute in preparing the streets decorations for Ramadan, then they will knock your door to ask you to allow them to use your balcony to hang this decorations; I remember when I was child the feeling of bride and happiness when this decoration is hanged to my balcony.Between the most remarkable signs of Ramada is Fanos, Fanos is a light with a unique shape, at the nights of Ramadan, kids used to carry small Fanos and play in the streets while singing, and the big size of Fanos is used to decorate the buildings entrances.
Few weeks before Ramadan starts, the sellers of Fanos start to appear at the streets of Egypt.
If you are visiting Egypt during Ramadan, you will hear the “Mesaharati” singing while trying to make people wake up to eat Sohor (meal before start fasting) if you give him good tips, he will call your name and kids names while singing and playing on his drums trying to wake people up before dawn.
If you couldn’t arrive home before sunset (Iftar time) don’t be surprised if someone tried to stop your car, he just wants to give you some dates, juice or small meal so you eat something until you arrive home.
wherever you go, you will find Ramadan decorations and symbols
Canon is also one of the important symbol of Ramadan as it was used in the past to announce Iftar(time to break the fasting at sunset) and Imsak (time to start fasting at dawn)
But Ramadan is not only time to celebrate and put decorations in the street, you will notice many public free food tables serving food for everyone at almost everywhere, as the value of fasting is to feel how its to be hungry so you are more keen to fight hunger. That is why we say Ramadan Kareem = Ramadan is generous
Ramadan is always the good time for families to meet and eat Iftar together, Google local guide family in Egypt met and ate Iftar together
here are some tips if you are visiting muslim country during Ramadan:
- Avoid eating or drinking in public during the fasting hours, its very offensive and at some countires its even forbidden by law and police may arrest you.
- Even if you are not Muslim try to fast even 1 day, people will highly appreciate this gesture and you will surely get integrated easily.
- if its business trip,expect different working hours than usual.
- Traffic in the street will be related to Iftar time, even at the most busy area in Cairo, it will not be busy at sunset.
- At the 1st days of Ramadan some drivers will have bad mood and accidents may happen because stopping smoking or abandon the morning coffee can be tough for some people.
- Mosques will be busy with worshipers so go to mosque early to find good place.
What about you, how Ramadan is celebrated in your country??
