It’s officially Ramadan in Egypt!
While we think our readers are super smart and cultured, we’ll forgive you if you aren’t exactly sure what the whole Ramadan thing is about in the first place.
That’s what we’re doing today. Telling you what it’s about, and giving you some need-to-know information as a non-Egyptian.
While this post won’t be so “language focused,” we have one that might interest you:
Give it a read for all the vocab and example phrases you need to talk about Ramadan.
What Ramadan Is
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar, and the month where God revealed the Koran to Prophet Mohammed.
Over a billion Muslims celebrate it in some way or another every year.
To do this, they fast (food and water during sunlight) the whole month, which ends up being 30 days.
This fasting begins at dawn (Fagr) and ends at sunset (Maghrib).
Because the Islamic calendar that Ramadan is based off is about ten days shorter than our modern day calendar, Ramadan will always be slightly earlier each year.
As for after Ramadan? The first day of the next month (shawwaal) is spent in celebration. It is observed as the “Festival of Breaking Fast,” or Eeid Al Fitr.
Around 85 million people of the Egyptian population are Muslims (out of a 100 million), and the vast majority of them are Sunni. While Ramadan has a significant religious value for all Muslims, Egyptians throughout history have added a bit of their charm to the Holy Month.
Ramadan in Egypt: The Famous Fanous
While Egyptians view Ramadan as a time to get spiritually closer to God, you can also observe the visual beauty of Ramadan in Egypt.
One such beauty is the fanous, the most significant and common Ramadan icon.
While the origin of the word fanous is Greek, the “lantern” or “light” has now become highly symbolic of Ramadan itself.
A famous origin story of the Fanous goes back to the Fatimid era, when the Fatimid Khalifa Al Moez ledeen Ellah was greeted by the Egyptians holding lanterns (Fawanees).
This was to welcome him to Cairo when he first arrived during the holy month of Ramadan.
Since then, there has always been a connection of beauty and light attached to Ramadan. This has led to the use of the fanous in celebrations related to Ramadan festivities.
Today, the fanous is widely used in Egypt during the holy month. They can be found in residential buildings, restaurants, hotels, malls, banks, offices, Ramadan tents, gatherings, and common streets throughout Egypt.
This is true pretty much everywhere.
Indeed, the streets are typically decorated with these beautiful, colorful lanterns ranging in all sizes and shapes. This creates a more festive environment that is in tune with the holy month.
Ramadan in Egypt: The Vibe in the Air
Nowadays you can feel Ramadan spirit in the air.
It’s beautiful….but if we’re going to be honest, it’s also a bit like a zombie apocalypse. The Muslims that can avoid going outside do, and the ones that have to work often get their things done when the sun is down. This is especially true when Ramadan happens during the summer and the weather is hot (here’s how to talk about the weather in Egyptian Arabic).
During Ramadan, Cairo specifically is much less….bustling. There are less people outside, and the ones that are are either hungry or thirsty.
Not that we are complaining. With how much of a headache living in Cairo can be, a bit less craziness can be a good thing. Check out our post on complaining about traffic in Egyptian Arabic to see what we mean.
So basically, Cairo is not Cairo when the sun is up.
That definitely changes when it’s time to break the fast.
When it is, you will see a bunch of people (taxi drivers included) rushing to get home on time. This means that the roads can go from fairly free to jam-packed in the span of 20 minutes.
And then when the call to prayer (Maghrib) is finally heard from mosques across Egypt When the fasting is over and Egyptians can eat and drink to their hearts desire?
Well, then Cairo regains even more life than it previously had.
Contrary to what some western citizens might think, Ramadan injects life into Egypt.
Your life might be boring when it’s light outside.
Right around sunset, though, all bets are off.
Ramadan in Egypt: The Food
While Ramadan in Egypt is all about the food, there are really only 2 main meals.
- Sohour, the light meal before the sunrise and fasting begins.
- Iftar, the breaking of the fast at sunset.
Unfortunately, people close most restaurants during sunlight hours. Also unfortunately, Egyptians consume so much food during Ramadan (and therefore produce so much) that they actually waste a lot it.
Some Muslims point out that this is against the holy month’s spirit that promotes “less consumption” and “being closer to god.” We’ll let you be the judge.
A large portion of Egyptians take Ramadan quite seriously, and the majority of places closing up shop is quite common. This is true regardless of the neighborhood.
It’s quite interesting, though, to see just how much the popular ones prepare for the breaking of the fast. While it’s more common to start eating at your home, Egyptians may at various times choose their Iftar at a restaurant.
A very special thing that you will see only during Ramadan is called God’s tables (Mawaaed Al Rahman / موائد الرحمن .
These are basically charity food tables for Iftar to feed poor people. You will find them everywhere around the city, and they will be pretty jammed with people before Iftar starts.
Politicians, famous actors, big mosques, and NGO’s typically pay for these God’s tables.
Overall, Ramadan is actually pretty great “profit-wise” for restaurants.
Still, not so great for the workers. Mounds of food, giant tables of bowls, and pitchers of juice. These restaurants likely spend the entire day getting ready for the crowds that will show up around 7 PM.
And all while fasting.
How’s that for dedication?
Regardless, you should find plenty of restaurants that retain their normal opening hours. It’s not like (gasp!) every single Muslim Egyptian is fasting, anyway. Go to the restaurants / cafe’s that are still open if you don’t believe us.
Indeed, there are all shades of grey.
Egyptian girls who are dating foreigners that their parents don’t know about; guys who spend their nights smoking hash and drinking whiskey; Egyptian men who spend the majority of their time in mosques but don’t believe quite as much as their friends seem to do; and Egyptian women who have enough money to send all three of their children abroad to study.
These people all exist. The expectation that they all fast during Ramadan is too simplistic.
Plus, don’t forget the ~10 percent of Egyptians who happen to be Coptic Christians. No fasting for them.
Long story short, you shouldn’t have to worry about finding food during Ramadan.
Plan ahead, stock up, and consider buying some snacks at the koshk.
Whatever you do, munchies are out there!
Ramadan in Egypt: The Drinks
One of the most famous drinks during Ramadan (and the BEST way to break the fast), is juice. It’s sweet, has a lot of calories, and the perfect thing to drink when Ramadan is in hotter months.
Besides that, many Egyptians will drink what you would normally expect. Lots of water, tea, and a Pepsi here and there.
Also, regarding buying alcohol during Ramadan?
Sorry foreigners. While it’s always good to know how to buy alcohol in Egypt…
Ramadan can be tricky.
Drinkies, you might have remembered, is Egypt’s most-beloved booze shop. Unfortunately for you, they close it during Ramadan. And not just “closed during daylight hours,” but, like…..closed closed.
Luckily, there is a solution. Rooftop cafes will serve you…… if you have a foreign passport with you.
Yes, you read that right.
Just be sure to bring it with you, and you’re good to go. Again, we are sorry. First post-Ramadan Drinkies run is on us!
Proper Etiquette During Ramadan
This can be tricky when you know millions of people around you are denying themselves food and water for the majority of their waking hours.
You don’t want to be “that guy.”
So how to best approach being polite? Well, Egyptians aren’t exactly going to beat you up if you drink water in the street, but it can be best not to.
After all, its their own decision to fast during the day. Nobody is forcing them to (although the social pressure in Egypt is pretty intense).
Cleo Lingo recommends just sucking it up and eating and drinking behind doors.
Egyptians, even if they don’t say it, will appreciate it. When in Rome, after all!
Bonus Tip
If you have the chance, try Iftar (the meal that breaks the fast) at least once.
And we don’t just mean have dinner at 7 PM. Instead, try to actually fast!
It might be a bit weird not eating or drinking during the day, but you actually get used to it quite quickly. I did for a whole week last year, and by day three it had stopped being a problem. Plus, you’ll start to appreciate Ramadan as a cultural event much more.
Fasting isn’t easy. Doing it during super hot temperatures is even harder.
But it brings you closer to the country.
And if you’ve never done any form of fasting before, foods take on a whole new flavor when you’ve given your mouth a bit of a rest.
Chocolate milkshakes have never been do delicious!
Conclusion
Ramadan in Egypt is a unique time.
While the first thing that comes to mind might not be positive, the holy month does indeed add a bit of buzz to the country. Cairo especially.
This is especially true right before people break the fast.
It’s a feeling that you can recognize in the air, and for good reason: millions of Egyptians are sharing their belief and demonstrating their faith together.
Dates and water after 14 hours of sunlight are well-deserved.
Good luck out there.
And Happy Ramadan!
…..
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo
