Egypt, France airdrop aid to Gaza amid growing humanitarian crisis, global criticism of Israel    Supply minister discusses strengthening cooperation with ITFC    Egypt launches initiative with traders, manufacturers to reduce prices of essential goods    SCZONE chief discusses strengthening maritime, logistics cooperation with Panama    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Egypt reviews health insurance funding mechanism to ensure long-term sustainability    Gaza on verge of famine as war escalates, ceasefire talks stall    Gaza crisis, trade on agenda as Trump hosts Starmer in Scotland    Egyptian president follows up on initiatives to counter extremist thought    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi calls for boosting oil & gas investment to ease import burden    EGX to close Thursday for July 23 Revolution holiday    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    58 days that exposed IMF's contradictions on Egypt    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    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.



Holy month or a commercial season? Survey reveals Muslims' attitudes towards Ramadan
Published in Daily News Egypt on 16 - 09 - 2008

CAIRO: Sixty seven percent of Muslims feel that Ramadan is becoming too commercial, revealed a recent survey assessing Muslims perception of the holy month.
Online research firm Maktoob Research surveyed 6,128 people from across the Middle East including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Morocco. As restaurants and hotels region-wide tout their special Ramadan iftar and suhour promotions, a big majority also feel that Ramadan is becoming a bit too commercial, the report said.
The survey also showed that 96 percent of Arab Muslims are observing the Ramadan fast, with 89 percent viewing Ramadan as a yearly lesson in self restraint and discipline.
Seventy-one percent believe the holy month gives them a sense of solidarity and sense of community with fellow Muslims.
The study throws light on what Ramadan means today to followers of Islam, and how they perceive the customs and practices associated with the holy month, Director of Maktoob Research, Tamara Deprez, said.
The survey's findings show that despite the pace of modern life and the changes in people's lifestyle, the Arab world retains its spiritual essence and remains largely tradition-bound where matters of faith are concerned - more so during the holy month of Ramadan, she added.
However, even though most people agree that Ramadan is becoming too commercial, they don't feel that it is something to worry about.
Ramadan is becoming commercial especially in Egypt, but it s not necessarily a bad thing, it s like how Christmas is commercialized in the west. People are not pivoting away from [its religious aspect] so I don't think there is any problem if a hotel or two want to do Ramadan promotions, a university student said.
Some believe that this phenomenon may be harmless now but it may still pose a problem in the future.
Everywhere you look; people are trying to sell the idea of Ramadan in restaurants, cafés, and super markets. It s everywhere. I think if things carry on this way, we will lose sight of what s really important, another university student explained.
The survey also revealed that 62 percent felt that non-Muslims living in Arab countries should not eat in public during Ramadan while 52 percent wanted all restaurants to close down during fasting hours out of respect for Ramadan.
The survey also aimed at exploring the habits associated with the holy month.
The majority of those surveyed tend to have iftar with close family members, but a significant portion also stated that they preferred to break their fast with friends or by attending a religious ceremony.
Seventy-four percent said they spend their free time reading the Quran with one in three Muslims in the UAE finishing it over the course of the month.
Contrary to popular belief, most Muslims do not spend their time glued to the television set with 43 percent saying they spend less time than usual watching television during Ramadan.
Sixty-two percent of the respondents said they honored the tradition of the moon-sighting but others depended on scholars declaration and astronomical calculation.
Technology now plays a significant part in Muslims lives around the world with 79 percent of those surveyed preferred their mobile phones be tailored to include Islamic prayers, Hadith (prophet s sayings), prayer times and Quran verses that will be handy during Ramadan.
Many tend to feel more charitable during Ramadan with 83 percent saying they are likely to give money to family and friends as a gesture for Ramadan and Eid.
Ninety-nine percent of Muslims surveyed from Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar said they are observing the holy month by fasting, while only 85 percent of Muslims surveyed in the UAE said they will be fasting.


Clic here to read the story from its source.