There is no country like Egypt with the splendor of receiving and celebrating the month of Ramadan. There is no country more beautiful than Egypt in its popular neighborhoods and markets when this blessed month comes. Egypt is worth a visit during the month of Ramadan because walking around is a real pleasure, and all its cities change during the Ramadan season. But Cairo still retains the largest share of beauty and pleasure, especially in the heritage neighborhoods.
When you visit Cairo during Ramadan, head to Khayamiya Street, and you will find a popular market full of Ramadan decorations and everything related to Ramadan. And from Khayamiya Street, you will move to Al-Mu’izz Street, and on this street, you will be surprised by the copper Ramadan lanterns in a lot of shops—wwonderful and beautiful lanterns of all sizes. Then you will go to Bab al-Bahr Street, where many shops are waiting for you, especially food stores, dates, and everything else you need for this holy month. Finally, you will land in the Al-Sandakiya Lane in the Al-Azhar area, which is a lane full of spice shops, spices, toys, and Ramadan decorations.
The place of Ramadan in the lives of Egyptians
Egypt has a Muslim majority, and its kind and generous people have been professing the Islamic religion and practicing its rituals with love and affection for hundreds of years. This is why you will find how many mosques have been spread since ancient times in various Egyptian cities. Egyptians keep going to mosques every day, and they commit to performing Friday prayers every week in large mosques in all cities and governorates of Egypt.
The month of Ramadan has always had a special place in the life of Egyptian society. It seems that some historical factors contributed to the consolidation of this relationship so strongly. There are those who date back to the era of the Fatimid state, especially since the prevalence of lanterns, for example, dates back to that era, where the streets were beautifully lit from the beginning of Ramadan to the end. Later, the use of lanterns for lighting became a popular custom in Egyptian society and then in all Arab societies. The lantern is now considered an icon of the month of Ramadan in Egypt, where it is widely spread when this holy month comes.
Customs and traditions of Egyptians during the month of Ramadan
Ramadan Customs and traditions in Egypt date back to ancient times, and they are inherited generation after generation, with something of modernity being given to them in recent times. Egyptians start preparing for the holy month every year two weeks before its start. The main streets, especially the streets of the popular markets, are decorated with special decorations this month. Wherever you move in cities and neighborhoods, you will find the Ramadan lantern present either through lighting or as a mere decoration.
In Ramadan, merchants display their own goods for this month. Ramadan decorations appear in the main street shops, and pastry shops sell famous Ramadan sweets, especially Kunafa. The shops of spices, seasonings, and dates are teeming with people who want to buy their sufficient ration during this month.
One of the beautiful Ramadan customs in Egypt is the meeting of families for Iftar daily. Or exchange visits after Iftar. Meetings may be at home or in restaurants and cafes.
It is also a beautiful custom to hit the iftar cannon daily, an old custom that was adopted as a way to inform people in the city center and on its outskirts by the time of Maghreb that they could have Iftar.
Religious celebrations in Egypt during the month of Ramadan
The mosque is a central focus in the lives of Egyptians, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. His attendance increases, especially in the evening to perform Taraweeh prayers. Egyptians also come to these mosques to listen to religious lectures, most of which focus on the virtue of this month and its importance and some of the doctrinal foundations related to the provisions of fasting.
During the month of Ramadan, there are a lot of donations in Egypt to provide Iftar food to the poor. Iftar banquets are held in designated places, or meals are delivered to homes. Many Egyptians volunteer for this beautiful work, and the good people offer their charity out of greed for the forgiveness of the merciful.
On this occasion, some songs and mawlids are broadcast to celebrate the arrival of this holy month. It can be heard either through some channels and radios or through the organization of some events in schools and others.
Also, this month, workshops are organized to seal the Holy Quran or memorize it. The groups of scholars and sheikhs teaching and interpreting the Quran are increasing.
Popular Ramadan celebrations in Egypt
Festive manifestations with their folk style are what most characterize the Egyptian people during the month of Ramadan. And you can feel the festive atmosphere celebrating the arrival of the holy month in every city you reach. The celebrations start from the night of the sighting of the crescent moon right up to the Happy Eid al-Fitr. By examining many of these ceremonial manifestations, we will find roots from ancient eras, especially the era of Fatimid rule.
An exceptionally large number of people coming to the markets is one of the manifestations of the celebration of the holy month of Ramadan. This is followed by an atmosphere of joy in homes, houses, restaurants, and Ramadan tents, in which people stay up until dawn.
Conclusion
Otherwise, Egypt is rich in a lot of festive manifestations that celebrate the coming of the month of Ramadan, which need to be mentioned in a large article.