Ramadan Kareem

A few days before Ramadan the wind came alive in Egypt. Silvery streamers cris-crossed from building to building and rustled according to the demands of the sea breeze in Alexandria. Much like Christmas in Christian culture, people decorate for Ramadan and Coca-cola makes special packaging for their beverages. My favorite decorations, however, are the the lanterns hung over crowded streets.



Several days after the streamers and lanterns are put up a man appears at 3:30am wandering the streets banging a drum as he yells Allah knows what in Arabic. Anywhere else, most people would be asleep (please note in Egypt, no one sleeps...ever)...and that is exactly why he is out there. Apparently, it is his job to wake everyone up at least an hour before prayers so that Muslims during Ramadan can eat (Sahoor) and pray in the wee hours of the morning. I heard him in Alexandria, then another fellow in Cairo and a scary drummer in Turkey. To me if a person embodies Ramadan, it is him and his drum.

Fasting during this time is supposed to re-direct minds from the superficial activity of daily life to a more...elevated state of self-control, humility, and empathy for others. I see a lot more fights between strangers during this time of year. Almost saw one guy go crazy in the checkout line a Carrefour in the Hong Kong bus killer kinda way. At the same time, it really is beautiful to be in Muslim countries through this month and I am glad I got to celebrate it with the Akl family.

Ramadan is also the time where 20% of all food is consumed in the Middle East. Crazy considering that no one eats or drinks during daylight hours. Night time comes alive and the new tv season starts during this time.

In Turkey, it is quite a bit different, but since life seems to go on as mostly normal, I thought it would be more interesting to relay the culture of Ramadan from an Egyptian perspective. (God forbid the West starts realizing that the Muslim world is not homogeneous).

Regardless, Ramadan Kareem everyone!