Ramadan Traditions around the World

 

The 1.6 million Muslims living in the world today come from a diverse range of cultures. Stretching from The Middle East to Asia and Europe to Africa, this diversity brings with it some amazing Ramadan traditions. I’ve picked a few of my favourites from around the world…

Fasting begins at dawn when the muezzin recites the adhan, calling the faithful to perform Salatul Fajr; the first of the five daily prayers. During Ramadan, many Muslims wake up for suhoor (the morning meal during Ramadan) at least one hour before the adhan.

 

Musaharati

Nowadays we have alarm clocks which we can set to wake us up, however in some parts of the Middle East and North Africa this was traditionally the job of the Musaharati. He would walk through the streets calling “Wake up sleepy one, praise God; Ramadan is the month of forgiveness (Es’ha ya nayem, wahed el dayem, Ramadan Karim, Es’ha ya nayem, wahed el razaq)” and then beat his drum three times. In some cities and villages he would even call individual households by name. The tradition is still alive in some places and was something I loved waking up to when I lived in Cairo, Egypt. So much better than an annoying alarm!

 

In some Muslim countries, families, friends and companies prepare Ramadan bags; packages of staple foods which they distribute to the less fortunate. The packages will usually contain dried and tinned foods such as pasta, rice, tuna and chopped tomatoes which can feed a family for at least one to two weeks during the month of fasting.

 

Giving

People standing on the roadside just before sunset, give dates and other dried fruits to drivers on their way home who may not make it in time for breaking the fast. I call it Date Throwing because they usually put the fruits through your car window and shout greetings as you fly past in your rush to get home!

 

Iftar 2Funnily enough food tends to play a key part in many Muslim households during Ramadan! It is Islamic tradition to break the fast with dates and goat milk and most cultures also have a special dish or dishes that they eat for their first meal. 

 

 

 

Here’s a taster: 

  • Pakistan: Pakoras (fried vegetable fritters) and Fruit Chaat (spiced fruit salad)
  • Libya: Sharba Libyia (a spicy tomato based soup with orzo pasta, chickpeas and pieces of lamb meat topped with sprinkles of dried mint)
  • Albania: Byrek (pastry pie), Pastice (pasta with creamy sauce) and Pettulla (fried dough with a sweet or savoury filling)
  • Bangladesh: Piyaji (spiced lentil and onion fritter) and Beguni (sliced eggplant deep fried in gram flour batter)
  • Malaysia: Bubur lambuk (stew with fish and herbs)

  

The night prayers aren’t unique to any one culture, but they are one of my favourite Islamic traditions. You’ll find mosques all over the world packed tighter than a pop concert, with faithful Muslims standing and prostrating in prayer as the imam recites long sections of the Qur’an. The aim is usually to have completed the whole Qur’an by the end of Ramadan. It isn’t obligatory to perform these prayers in the mosque and many Muslims will do them at home. I love the unity and solidarity…

 

Taraweeh

 

Wherever you are in the world, there will be large or small groups of Muslims fasting, worshipping and performing their Ramadan traditions. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to take part in any Ramadan activities, it will definitely be worth your while.

Contact Us if you would like support with Cross-cultural programmes within your organisation.

 

Latest Post

© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved