Ramadan celebrations are on again in Egypt, with many families having the traditional Ramadan dinner in their new homes. It is the most sacred month for Muslims to worship Allah, and it is traditionally the time of fasting so Muslims can focus on their spiritual needs.
Ramadan celebrations in Egypt officially began on Tuesday evening, with people preparing for a big iftar dinner.
Muslims will break their fast at sunset and take it as an opportunity to pray and clean the mosque. The Egyptian Islamic Religious Endowment announced that it had launched a campaign that calls on Muslims to come forward to make donations that would be explicitly used for building mosques.
The holy month of Ramadan is one of Egypt’s widely celebrated religious feasts. The month is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time for self-reflection, fasting, and charitable giving. Observing fasts during Ramadan is one of the five central tenets, called pillars, of Islam.
During this month, adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sexual activities from dawn to sunset. This fast is intended to bring Muslim closer to God and remind them of those who are less fortunate.
About Egypt
Egypt, or the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental nation that connects north-eastern Africa to southwest Asia via a land bridge created by the Sinai Peninsula.
Egypt also has a string of islands along the Mediterranean Sea stretching from the northern coast of Africa to southern Turkey. The country offers vast desert regions, such as the Sahara, lush oases, and fertile valleys along its Nile river.
The vast Nile River and the Mediterranean Sea, along with Egypt’s key location in the Middle East, have led to Egypt being a center of trade and culture since ancient times. The vast country offers something to suit all travelers and has been a popular destination for thousands of years.
About the Ramadan festival
The Islamic month of Ramadan begins during the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and lasts for 29 or 30 days, depending on the year. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a time to focus on spirituality and charity.
During this month, fasting occurs for the entire day and night. The primary purpose is to help people get closer to Allah and be more grateful to others. Muslims in Egypt usually eat breakfast by eating a meal right before sunset, known as iftar.
During Ramadan, everyone is encouraged to be more generous towards others and family and friends. Traditionally, people gather to eat an Iftar meal and break the fast together after sunset.
The Eid al-Fitr festival on the first day of Ramadan is the biggest celebration in Egypt, and families spend the day celebrating with a big iftar dinner and exchanging gifts.
How has Covid impacted the celebrations in the past two years?
The devilish adversary COVID-19 has dramatically changed how a festival-goer lived in 2020. All the beautiful events one would have anticipated in 2020 are no longer possible to attend this year because large gatherings would worsen the virus’s ability to spread.
The impact of festivals in 2020 has been rather depressing because all the festivities associated with festivals in India will not take place. While some of its effects have been favorable, we cannot deny that others have also been mildly detrimental.
Activities offered by Cultural Development Fund during the festival
Ramadan activities are sponsored by the Cairo Festival of Culture and Arts in cooperation with cultural institutions, such as the Egyptian National Theatre. During Ramadan, the Cairo Festival offers activities, including art exhibitions, film screenings, and concerts.
People also stay close to their families this month to make special memories with their loved ones. There are some traditions that families always follow during this festival, such as greeting each other after breaking the fast at sunset and exchanging gifts for Eid al-Fitr.
The celebrations of the Ramadan festival usually start on the first day of Ramadan with an iftar dinner, and someone fasting will read a special message that reminds people to be grateful, generous, and act respectfully towards others.
1. Art & Craft
Egyptian artists participate in the Cairo Festival of Culture and Arts. The artworks are displayed as part of an exhibition or as a stand-alone project. It is important to remember that these are not to be copied or reproduced without permission.
2. Family Connection
The Cairo Festival hosts a series of activities involving bringing families together during the Eid al-Fitr festival. Activities such as story-telling, games, discussions, and crafts make the family connection more enjoyable and keep them closer.
3. Egyptian Modern Music
Egyptian modern music reflects Egyptian society, values, and traditions that both young and older adults enjoy. Many musicians in Egypt have succeeded in delivering works that have played a role in conserving the culture through their music.
4. Events in museums
Egyptian museums participate in the Cairo Festival of Culture and Arts by organizing events that allow visitors to get close to history, culture, art, and traditions through fine arts exhibitions and programs. These exhibitions primarily feature artworks from different periods in Egyptian history.
How to reach?
Egypt also has international airports that allow visitors to visit Egyptian cities and towns easily. Many tourists go to Egypt to experience the Ramadan festivals because of all the offered activities. Cairo is exciting to see this month, as it is full of culture and history. Dubai to Cairo flights is the most convenient way to travel between the two countries.
Visitors can experience the different traditions and practices of life of Egyptians during this month. Egypt is located in the middle east and is open to tourists from all over the world.
The two main airports serving the country are Cairo international, which has flights to many other Arab countries, and Dubai international airport, which serves all Arab lands and destinations.
The advent of Ramadan is a religious event. It is considered a great reward and mercy by Allah, the creator of the universe. Muslims fast during this month to show their faith in Allah and gain more merit for themselves during their life after death.
The Eid al-Fitr festival is also important because it is one of the most important festivals that serve as an opportunity for families to unite and spend time together. It is a celebration of the end of the fasting period. The festival is full of different activities that bring families closer together.