Al-Sisi: Cairo to host Gaza reconstruction conference in November    PM Madbouly chairs meeting on public-private partnerships in tourism    Egypt launches project to upgrade export environment, streamline port procedures    Gulf investors turn to Egypt's real estate market as strategic gateway for growth    At Aswan Forum, Egypt's FM urges reform of UN Security Council, finance bodies    Tensions rise in Gaza as Israel violates ceasefire agreement    Egypt, WHO sign cooperation strategy to strengthen health system through 2028    EHA, Arab Hospitals Federation discuss cooperation on AI, sustainable healthcare    Egypt's FM joins Sahel region roundtable at Aswan Forum    Egypt successfully hosts Egyptian Amateur Open golf championship with 19-nation turnout    Africa can lead global recovery, Egypt's Sisi tells Aswan Forum    From Impression to Analysis: What International Performance Indicators Reveal about Egypt    Egyptian pound edges up slightly against dollar in Sunday midday trading    Supply Minister: No change in subsidised bread price amid diesel hike    Health ministers adopt 'Cairo Call to Action' to tackle breast cancer across Eastern Mediterranean    Egypt, India hold first strategic dialogue to deepen ties    Egypt: Guardian of Heritage, Waiting for the World's Conscience    Egypt, Qatar sign MoU to boost cooperation in healthcare, food safety    Egypt, UK, Palestine explore financing options for Gaza reconstruction ahead of Cairo conference    Egypt will never relinquish historical Nile water rights, PM says    Al Ismaelia launches award-winning 'TamaraHaus' in Downtown Cairo revival    Al-Sisi, Burhan discuss efforts to end Sudan war, address Nile Dam dispute in Cairo talks    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile actions, calls for global water cooperation    Egypt unearths one of largest New Kingdom Fortresses in North Sinai    Egypt unearths New Kingdom military fortress on Horus's Way in Sinai    Egypt Writes Calm Anew: How Cairo Engineered the Ceasefire in Gaza    Egypt's acting environment minister heads to Abu Dhabi for IUCN Global Nature Summit    Egyptian Open Amateur Golf Championship 2025 to see record participation    Cairo's Al-Fustat Hills Park nears completion as Middle East's largest green hub – PM    El-Sisi boosts teachers' pay, pushes for AI, digital learning overhaul in Egypt's schools    Syria releases preliminary results of first post-Assad parliament vote    Karnak's hidden origins: Study reveals Egypt's great temple rose from ancient Nile island    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Egypt aims to reclaim global golf standing with new major tournaments: Omar Hisham    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Ramadan kareem
Published in Al-Ahram Weekly on 15 - 06 - 2017

Ramadan in Cairo is a particularly beautiful time of the year, not because the city is quiet and the traffic is thin, but because the spirit of the holy month spreads out across the city in the most glorious manner and the flowers are in full bloom to complement the mood.
The city quickens its pace when prayers are announced in the evening. Iftar is often a quick affair, and the city seems to come to life after that with the setting of the sun. The evening celebrations continue until late into the night and until the dawn meal of Sohour. In the narrow alleys of Islamic Cairo and behind the Old City walls, you find the devout doing their prayers in the old mosques of the neighbourhood, while singers and musicians, puppeteers and performers enthral throngs of Cairenes, including many children, out to enjoy the magical atmosphere.
The tables are laid out on the street, and people have their last meal before they retire for the night ahead of the dawn. All this reminds me of my home in Delhi.
Ramadan in Delhi has many features that are similar to Ramadan in Cairo. It is a month of pious observance for many Muslims, of whom there are over 180 million in India. People observe roza (fasting), and in the evening after the prayers there are Iftar parties across the city. This is also a season of festivity when new clothes are bought for the family, money packets are distributed to the children, and special foods and sweets are prepared.
People usually break the fast with sherbet (a drink) made of natural herbs and flowers and eat roasted chana (chick peas). Iftar is usually a lavish spread of biryanis and meat dishes followed by deserts. Haleem, which includes pounded meat with lentils cooked over a slow fire, is a delicacy. People spare no effort in preparing special sweets such as sewaiya (vermicelli), jalebi, shahi tukra (like Egypt's desert Um Ali) and kulfi (ice cream) for their guests.
Iftar parties hosted by Hindus for their Muslim friends are unique features of Ramadan in Delhi. These events often feature musical soirées, qawali singing and poetry sessions, besides delicious food. The air is festive in the evening, and the mosques and dargah (shrines) are lit up to welcome visitors, young and old, men and women, Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
Just before Sohour, a sahar khwaan (drummer) goes through the city neighbourhoods reminding people of the time for the last meal and prayer. After that, most of Delhi goes to sleep, though some people stay awake to tell stories of love and devotion. There is both beauty and magic in the lovely month of Ramadan.


Clic here to read the story from its source.