Every year, on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, two billion Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan, abstaining from food and water from the early morning Fajr prayers to the early evening Maghrib prayers. It is a time of year where humanity is brought closer together as we forget our differences and put others before ourselves.
Here in the Arab World, Ramadan comes at a difficult time when we are most divided by our differences, but perhaps, it comes to remind us that we are only humans with a shared cultural heritage and historical background. Indeed, it is a call for all humans to come together and work towards making the world a better place.
The holy month has a vibe of coexistence and fraternity that is seen rarely at any other time in the year, and sincerely, we hope this spirit can carry on throughout the rest of the year.
Here in the Middle East, the traditions of Ramadan differ from the rest of the Muslim World, with staples of Arab culture such as zeinat Ramadan, madfa‘ al-iftar, mosalsat, and more shaping our celebration of the holy month. Here are some of the best highlights of this year’s Ramadan in the Arab World.
Palestinian man reads a averse of the Quran, Ghaza, Palestine. Via CNN.
Yemeni man reads a verse of the Quran at the Great Mosque, San’a, Yemen. Via CNN.
Traditional decoration fabric, ‘khayamiyah’, on sale, Cairo Egypt. Via The National.
Palestinian family break their fast next to their home, which was destroyed in the recent conflict between Hamas and Israel. Via CNN.
Members of Islamic song band break their fast ahead of their performance. Via The National.
Muslims engage in prayers on the first day of Ramadan, Iraq. Via BBC.
A UAE policeman fires a cannon salute as a signal for the end of the fasting day of Ramadan at Umm Al Emarat Park, Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates Via CNN.
People filming a performance of a man singing Islamic songs, Cairo, Egypt. Via The National.
Libyan women at local souq buying products for the holy month, Tripoli, Libya. Via The National.
Palestinian youth plays with fireworks, Ghaza, Palestine. Via CNN.
Saudi woman taking a picture of Ramadan decoration, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Via The National.
Palestinian family stops by a shop selling Ramadan decoration lights in the old city of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Palestine. Via CNN.
A shop with a giant crescent decoration, Amman, Jordan. Via BBC.
Yemeni man reads Quarn at a mosque, San’a, Yemen. Via The National.
Muslims engage in the first “Tarawih” prayer on the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at Al-Noor Grand Mosque in Kirkuk, Iraq. Via CNN.
Egyptians at an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for longest table at Iftar, New Administrative Capital, Egypt. Via The National.
A jack of all trades trying to master some, Mohammed is a romantic with a tinge of pessimism. He is a know-it-all with a philosophy of learning something new every day.
Mohammed will be graduating from the Biology Department at Cairo University this year.
