Ramadhaan in Egypt


The streets of Cairo will come alive a few minutes after the sunset Athaan (call to Prayer), with vendors selling everything from Basboosah (a traditional dessert made of semolina flour, yogurt, and coconut) to Faanoos (lantern) to jasmine on a string. Colorful paper banners will hang between buildings signaling that the greatest month has come again.
Dried plums, apricots, and dates will circulate the kitchens of the Big Mango city.    Children and adults alike will delight in the traditional "Qamar eddeen", a thick apricot drink made from sheets of apricot paste. The shelves of food stores will once again be home to the "hair-doughed" Kunaafah and syrup-drenched Qataayif sweets.
"Ramadhaan in Egypt is very much in the streets," says Noorah Hussein, a mother of two who has spent 25 Ramadhaan in Cairo. "The children are so happy, and people seem so close to one another."
Everyday, Egyptians remember the significant aspects of Ramadhaan by setting up tents and places in the streets where the needy can have Iftaar (fast-breaking meal) for free. The taxi drivers in their old, black-and-white cars are cheerful as they zoom around the Tahreer Square area or down the Alexandria corniche looking for customers in their way to restaurants.
"Ramadhaan in Egypt is different form anywhere else in the world," says Hussein, smiling due to the joyous memories it brings her. "I don’t know how a place could be more alive than here. Even the pyramids and the Nile seem to come alive."

Ramadhaan in Turkmenistan

Ramadhaan in the largely desert country of Turkmenistan is a different thing altogether. After living for decades under Communism, when they were not allowed to practice Islam, many Muslims in Turkmenistan and other countries of the former Soviet Bloc did not celebrate Islamic occasions freely.
"In general, the Muslims in Turkmenistan are not too religious, but they are still happy when Ramadhaan comes around," says Jehan, a 21-year-old university student from Turkmenistan.
"Keep in mind; we went through decades in which we were not even allowed to speak our own language. Only now is some of our Islamic culture returning, including Ramadhaan," she said. "Now, I am learning more about my Muslim identity and have learned a lot from my grandmother, who used to fast and perform her prayers in secret."
The Muslims in Turkmenistan comprise an 87 percent majority and many of them fast and live the month as if it were their last. They celebrate the "Gadyrgijesi," or the Night of Nights, the night in which the Noble Quran was sent down. In Ramadhaan 2001, in response to the requests of local Muslim elders, 'Eed Al-Fitr was declared a day off.
The Iftaar in Turkmenistan usually consists of herb-filled pastries and cornmeal pancakes, porridges with beans or pumpkin, or rice pilaf with dried fruit. There is no abundance of restaurants, so the food will be bought in the markets or cooked at home. Ramadhaan in Turkmenistan is yet a quiet fun-time, and is spent focusing on family affairs and remembrance of Allaah.

Ramadhaan in Iraq

Sihaam Azeez longs for her beloved Baghdad in Ramadhaan, where she used to be awakened by the sound of a man walking the streets, shouting "Suhoor, Suhoor!" in effort to wake up his fellow believers to have the pre-dawn meal. Neighborhood children also come knocking on doors with their Faanoos (lantern)—a personal wake-up call in exchange for some sweets.

"Just before Iftaar time, after a long day of fasting, all the kids gather to wait for the traditional cannon to sound. This signals that it is Maghrib time (sunset) and we can break our fast," says Mrs. Azeez.
In the minutes leading up to Athaan, the smell of barbecue wafts through the city, as most people cook their kebabs out on the grill. Those who are breaking their fast eat some dates and yogurt first, then after offering the prayer in the mosque, return for soup, kebabs, etc. Residents send whatever food they have made to their neighbors to share, so no one goes hungry in Ramadhaan. The leftovers are kept for the next suhoor.

Ramadhaan in Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the greatest Muslim countries. The Malaysian Muslims receive the month of Ramadhaan with great joy and unequalled happiness. They change their style of living during this honorable month. Reciting the Glorious Quran, remembering Allaah and staying at mosques are their main concerns. On the few last days of Sha`baan, Muslims of Malaysia prepare themselves for receiving Ramadhaan. They prepare mosques for prayer and buy their necessities of food. On the 29th night of Sha`baan, the Ministry of Religious Affairs tries to sight the new moon. When the sighting is confirmed, the ministry declares it via mass media. Muslims exchange congratulations on the advent of Ramadhaan. On this great occasion, the local authorities sprinkle streets with water, prepare clean yards and public squares and hang electric lamps in the main streets.
As for the way of receiving Ramadhaan in the countryside, Muslims there celebrate the occasion through gathering at mosques and congratulating one another, and exchange Iftaar meals.
The rich and well-to-do traders normally make feasts for providing Iftaar at mosques and in the streets.
Truly, the Malaysian community is distinguished with special kinds of meals.
Mostly, all family members attend prayers in the mosque regularly. Schools for teaching the Quran are widespread all over the country. The government encourages these schools which intensify their courses during this month. They teach Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), Tafseer (Interpretation of the meanings of the Quran), the Islamic Creed, the Arabic language besides the Glorious Quran. The Malaysians conclude the month of Ramadhaan with completing reciting the Honorable Quran in mosques, schools, TV, Radio, etc. Then, they make other celebrations for receiving the blessed `Eed Al-Fitr.

Ramadhaan in South Africa

When the sun sets on the first day of Ramadhaan, the friendly Muslims of South Africa will gather together in huge groups to eat elaborate Iftaar, dressed up in their best attire. 
Many are able to enjoy eating Iftaar out, since there is an abundance of Halaal restaurants especially in Durban, Capetown and Johannesburg.
Most of the Muslims living in South Africa are of Indian descent, because colonists brought their ancestors over from Gujurat and other regions of India to work on the sugar cane plantations and as laborers. They have been in South Africa for so many generations; their Iftaar is no longer just traditional Indian dishes, but is a mix of everything from pasta to curries to brownies. 
Other Muslims came from Indonesia and Malaysia to reside in the Capetown area, where their traditional spices and cooking have found their way into mainstream Capetonian cuisine. The salty, seaside breezes of the Waterfront cape remind believers of the Greatness of their Creator.
Although the new government has been in place for more than a decade, one remnant of apartheid still remains. Mostly, everyone in South Africa has been brought up surrounded by his or her own kind of people, so communities still tend to keep to themselves, including Muslims from different backgrounds. Those of Indian, African, and Southeast Asian descent are slow to branch out and mingle with one other—an issue needing more attention, time and effort.

Ramadhaan in U.S.A.

From Phoenix up to Seattle, over to New York and down to Houston, the Muslims of America will flock to their Islamic centers for enormous potluck dinners and Taraaweeh prayers. 
In America, as well as other non-Muslim countries, the mosque performs a different function than it does in Muslim countries. It is more than a place for prayer and the Friday sermon; the Islamic center is the hub of the entire Muslim community. It is a meeting point for friends and the center of the excitement during Ramadhaan. Thus, many break their fast in the mosque rather than at home.
The last few years have been tense years for Muslims living in America, trying to clarify what Islam teaches and defining their place in a foreign land. This Ramadhaan, many will, no doubt, be reaching out to non-Muslims in an act of Da’wah (calling to Islam), perhaps inviting non-Muslims to join in their Iftaar or contacting the media for positive coverage on the month.

The Muslims of American are a cultural melting pot, in which one community might contain people form every continent. This creates a truly multicultural, truly Islamic feeling, not to mention making a truly international Iftaar. Meals usually consist of everything from cuisine of the Indian subcontinent to American casseroles; form Far-East Asian cuisine to Arabic food. 

Ramadhaan in The Philippines

In the land of smiles and manners, the Philippines, Muslim communities gather together in Ramadhaan for a month of unity and helping each other.
Saara Benizamani, a Filipino revert to Islam, says that in Ramadhaan in her city of Pangasinan, the Muslims do more than the obligatory fasting.
"We try to make Ramadhaan a time for reaching out to the non-Muslim community. We go from door to door explaining what Ramadhaan is all about," she said. 
It is also a time to remember those less fortunate around them, and to give thanks to Allaah for the many blessings He has bestowed upon them. The ladies gather during the day to read Quran together, and the families all go out to the mosque at night to offer Taraaweeh prayer.
"Ramadhaan in the Philippines is very nice because we make it almost obligatory to go to the mosque for Iftaar," she says smiling.
"When people finish work at 5:00, they all go to the mosque because they know that there is where the best and most food will be."
There, the Iftaar often consists of soup with noodles, "Adobo," which is a chicken dish with soy sauce, rice, macaroni, and sweets. "We Filipinos love to eat," she said, "which can be a bad thing sometimes."
One problem she faces is lack of dates. "When I'm in the Philippines, I ask my Arab friends to send me dates from their countries so that I can break my fast the way the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, used to do."

Ramadhaan in Albania

Ramadhaan traditions vary across the different regions of Albania. Some of the customs of Shkodra in northern Albania are described below.
Boom ba ba Boom! The ‘lodra’ sounds and stirs everyone from their sleep. The lodra is a double-ended cylinder drum covered in sheep or goat skin. The drummer hits each end with different sticks, resulting in a two-tone beat. 
The drummer is traditionally from the Gypsy community and it is customary to give him food or money in recognition of his vital service. He might also be invited for Syfyr (pre dawn breakfast), or Iftaar.
The food that is eaten for the two main meals of Ramadhaan varies greatly between households as there is so much to choose from, and it is impossible to have everything at the same time. There are many similarities between Albanian and Turkish food, however Albania has some unique dishes created from an imaginative use of basic ingredients. You could select from Byrek, a flat flaky pastry pie eaten hot or cold, containing meat, spinach, or curds; Pastiçe, pasta with a milk, cheese, eggs and butter sauce; Petulla, fried dough with sweet or savory filling such as jam, cream sauces or cheese.
The drummer comes around once again to announce Iftaar. Iftaar is such a strong tradition that they are also offered by some Christians to fasting Muslims and attended by Christians as social gatherings.
Those who know and practice their religion attend the prayers and occupy the mosques throughout Ramadhaan and attend Taraaweeh prayers at the end each night.
During the years of strict Communism, all religious practices were banned and the prayer almost disappeared. However, nobody knew if you were fasting or not and many people maintained the fast by giving the excuse that they have previously eaten or that they feel unwell when offered food during Ramadhaan.

Ramadhaan in Makkah

Wherever in the world they may be, when the sun sets at the end of the day, those who have fasted turn to face one location: the Sacred Ka'bah in the city of Makkah. The crystal-clear "Allaahu Akbar" of the familiar Makkan Athaan rings through the city where the Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, spent so much happiness and sorrow.

In Makkah, the spirit of giving and remembering Allaah, is truly manifested during Ramadhaan. The emphasis remains on worship and not on food and festivities as in many other places. It is an amazing sight to see thousands upon thousands of people be all accommodated with dates and water (and even more) for the breaking of the fast. And as the Athaan is called, one cannot escape the sheer generosity of Makkans, offering food and water to all.
It is not unusual to see a man with a pick-up van full of cooked rice and chicken dishing food out to everyone who passes by. The wealthy provide Iftaar and clothes for the poor, and organizations are active in giving huge amounts of charity.
Makkah in Ramadhaan is filled with visitors performing ‘Umrah or spending a vacation of their lifetime. For them, it is the Ramadhaan of a lifetime. For residents of the normally quiet city, however, the place is turned upside down.
"The traffic really picks up, and the routine of the city is reversed," said one resident of Makkah. "Day becomes night and night becomes day. People sleep in late and the shops stay open late."
Also, locals are flanked by visitors who are in the city for the month; a year's supply of houseguests comes all at once for them.
During Ramadhaan, there is much reading of the Quran in the city in which it was first revealed and the true spirit of Ramadhaan prevails.
Makkans usually break their fast in homes, often in big gatherings with families and friends. The breakfast usually begins with soups of all kinds, then with the traditional Samboosah and Soubia.
A common tradition of Makkaans is that bringing food to the mosque in their local area becomes a noticeable phenomenon during this month, to the point that hardly any Muslim is left hungry during this blessed month.
Families will bring their food to Al-Masjid Al-Haraam (the Sacred Mosque) to break fast there and then offer the Maghrib Prayer together. Later at night, during Taraaweeh Prayer, Al-Masjid Al-Haraam will be as bright as daytime, and nearly as full as it does during Hajj.
It is amazing to think it, but in nearly every place on earth someone from our Ummah will be fasting Ramadhaan. No other religion could claim such a united and unanimous act of worship amongst its believers. So in the spirit of this joyous and blessed month, let us not forget our brothers and sisters in every part of the world. Let us make the effort to remember them in our supplications, because no matter where we reside on this planet we share something very special. We will always be a single Ummah under the mantle of Islam.


Ramadhaan in Palestine

Ramadhaan in Palestine looks to be bleak for a population under the miserable conditions they are undergoing.
At the beginning of Ramadhaan, purchases are restricted to mostly basic needs such as vegetables and meat – traditional Ramadhaan sweets like dates and pastries are to be carefully rationed to be able to last through the month.
For most of the people, shopping has become akin to begging due to the level of debt that they have already accumulated.
Gaza's children used to light colorful lanterns to celebrate Ramadhaan. But this year, many parents can't afford even the small toys, as Gaza sinks deeper into poverty and readies for the bleakest Ramadhaan yet.
Ramadhaan in Palestine, as in other countries, is a time of fasting from dawn to dusk and piety. It's also a festive month, with family meals after sundown, social get-togethers and new clothes for everyone.
We ask Allaah that Ramadhaan in Palestine this year will be free from incursions and sieges, and all Palestinians will have the opportunity to perform prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. 
 

Ramadhaan in Madeenah

Al-Medeenah Al-Munawwarah (the Lighted City) becomes livelier during the month of Ramadhaan. During this blessed month, all the markets and shopping centers around the Prophet’s, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, Mosque are crowded with visitors and are opened till late at night. 

Ramadhaan in Madeenah, the blessed city of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, is truly amazing. Imagine this, everyone around you tries his utmost to be as nice as possible, as generous as possible. Muslims standing at the gates of the Prophet’s Mosque, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, inviting strangers to break the fast with them, others handing out water and dates to those leaving the Mosque, people telling each other that they love them for the Sake of Allaah. Quran is heard from all corners of the city: from offices, from stores, from homes, from cars, all day long. All this signals the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadhaan. Then, in the evenings, the most beautiful recitations emanate from the sacred mosque for Taraweeh prayers. Finally, every night, in the last ten nights of Ramadhaan, everyone joins the night prayer at the sacred mosque striving to have their sins forgiven, and hoping to catch the Night of Decree (Laylatul-Qadr).