CAIRO - Egyptians enjoy happiness and calmness in the holy dawn-to-dusk fasting month of Ramadan. Many hold daily charity tables, seeking Allah's forgiveness by serving their brothers. The holy month unites Muslims and brings them together in activities like the iftar meal (breaking the fast), volunteers say. People compete in setting and presenting mawa'ed el-Rahman (the tables of mercy), enabling passersby break their fast. Communal tables are common all over Egypt. In the affluent Ard el-Golf district in eastern Cairo, Muslims can break their fast at luxurious tables. “We present every conceivable facilities and foods and seek Allah's forgiveness. We offer these tables for the sake of Allah,” Sherine Mohamed, a well-known restaurant partner, said. Young people also aspire to spread happiness in people's hearts. “When the restaurant announced its delicious iftar, I rushed to participate actively in this communal celebration,” Omar el-Gazar, a 16-year-old volunteer, told Arabic-language Sabah el-Kheir magazine. “I hope to attain Allah's forgiveness and good rewards. It makes me feel so calm and happy, when I see the poor break their fast,” said el-Gazar, who lives close to the restaurant. Another volunteer also wants to serve the poor. “I don't have enough money to establish such tables. However, I decided to contribute by helping with the preparation of these delicious meals,” said Mary el-Saeed, a 15-year-old secondary student, with great enthusiasm. The working groups all want to put a smile on people's faces. “This makes me so happy,” Chef Saleh elaborated. “When the guests express their joy and admiration for our meals, I feel as I owned the whole universe.” There are many different ways of offering iftar meals. In Nasr City, volunteer housewives prepare food and deliver it to the tables' organisers. “Residents offer different kinds of food, and people love home-made meals. Around 50 guests come to our table,” said Sheikh Nasser, who is responsible for the catering next to the Moussa bin Noussair Mosque. “Some Indonesians and Filipinos, who study at Al-Azhar University, celebrate the holy month with their Egyptian brothers. They often come and join our meals,” Sheikh Nasser added. Every year, the owner of a car show holds Ramadan tables of mercy. “His wife and sons participate in offering meals. Hajj Mohamed, the car show owner, is really generous; he has been organising delicious tables of mercy for 15 consecutive years,” said Fathi Ali, a 50-year-old greengrocer. Every day when the sun sets, young volunteers enthusiastically distribute dates and juice among passersby, a gesture made even more beautiful thanks to their lovely smiles.
