CAIRO - After iftar (the fast-breaking meal), many Muslims go to the mosque in order to perform the Taraweeh (extra, optional night prayers in the holy fasting month of Ramadan). But the very hot weather this year and the fact that many mosques lack air-conditioning have made this very exhausting for Muslims. Even so, an impressive number still perform these optional prayers every night. This Ramadan, the temperatures have been consistently above 40 degrees Centigrade, with the high humidity making it worse. That's why many Muslim Egyptians this year have been performing the Taraweeh in air-conditioned mosques, even if it means travelling quite a long way to get there from their homes. Because of the hot weather, imams have been urging worshippers to donate money to their mosques in order to pay for new air-conditioners and fans. Power outages are another problem, so the imams have been asking for donations for electric generators too. People have been giving generously. "I performed the Taraweeh on the first night of Ramadan, but it was too hot and I sweated so much that I had to go elsewhere. On the second day, I found a mosque that has 17 new air-conditioners, donated by an MP. It's quite a long way from my home, but I like the walk," says Ahmed Hashim. Many worshippers take a bottle of iced water or juice to the Taraweeh, which they can drink when they have stopped praying or during the religious lessons that the preacher gives between the prayers. "I always bring my iced water to the Taraweeh, as I can't stand this hot weather," says Yasser Mohamed, a young man who regularly goes to the mosque. Nadr, Yasser's friend, also brings his iced water with him and tries to find a place near an air-conditioner in the mosque where he prays. "Ramadan this year is very hot. I drink a lot of water after iftar," Nadr explains.
