Ramazan is the month in which the rewards for good deeds are multiplied....
COVER STORY
Ramazan is the month in which the rewards for good deeds are multiplied. It is very special because the Quran was first sent to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) on the night we all know as Laylat Al-Qadr, the holiest night in the Islamic calendar, in the last 10 days of the holy month.
The first ashra (10 days) of Ramazan is already gone, so we hope you all out there are reaping the benefits of the holy month. However, beyond fasting, Ramazan is marked by a rich tapestry of traditions and cultural practices that vary across different regions and communities worldwide. Us delves into the diverse Ramazan traditions, starting from the holy cities of Mecca and Madina and extending across the globe.
Makkah and Madina, our two holiest cities, become the go-to place for Muslims from all over the world. Pilgrims flock to Makkah and Madina to undertake Umrah during the month of Ramazan, and sit for itekaf in Masjid-e-Nabwi. Iftar in Makkah and Madina is nothing less than a celebration. People can be seen out on the street, enjoying traditional Saudi dishes at street stalls, shops, as well as at standard and premium restaurants. Tourists can also offer prayers and eat iftar served in the mosques.
Saudi Arabia has a unique blend of deeply rooted in traditions that have been passed down through generations. Preparations for Ramadan start with cleaning of homes. Special dishes are prepared for iftar each evening. These meals, prepared using recipes handed down from grandmothers, offer a taste of cultural heritage. Children participate in Ramazan customs by delivering food prepared by their mothers to family members and neighbors. It is common for residents to open their homes to provide iftar meals to the less fortunate and pilgrims during the holy month.
Ramazan in Egypt is one of the more colourful festivals around the world. Streets are decorated in colourful lanterns called fanous with the intention of spreading joy and cheerfulness. The origins of this tradition may have stemmed from the Fatimid Empire when Caliph Al-Mu izz li-Din Allah was greeted with colourful lanterns. The caliph visited Cairo on the first day of Ramazan. The locals held candles in the dark streets to welcome him. But over time, the candles have evolved to beautifully patterned and painted lanterns that are put up as decoration or sometimes seen in the hands of children as they walk the streets singing and asking for sweets.
Like other Muslim countries, preparation for Ramazan is extensive in Pakistan. People clean their houses and often make new clothes to wear on Fridays. Samosas, chicken and vegetable rolls and chutneys are stockpiled. Phaini and khajla are eaten for sehri along with the traditional anda paratha. In many places, sehriwalay still wake up people with the beat of their dhols. Unfortunately, the tradition is on the wane.
One of the unique traditions in Pakistan is the distribution of iftar boxes to commuters and laborers during Ramazan. These boxes contain dates, fruits, water, and other essentials, ensuring that those who cannot make it home in time for iftar can still break their fast with dignity. And guys, iftari available everywhere is scrumptious. All over Pakistan!
Indonesia
The people of Yogyakarta region have a tradition of bathing called Padusan to welcome Ramazan. Padusan is a form of self-purification and cleansing of the body and soul in welcoming the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan. The natives of Jakarta, the Betawi, distribute giving food parcels to older family members, be it parents or in-laws. The Cucurak tradition involves eating together on banana leaves while sitting on the floor.
An interesting Malaysian tradition every Ramazan is the making and distribution of bubur lambuk, a creamy rice porridge made of meat pieces, coconut milk, spices and other flavourful condiments, but perhaps the most distinguishing aspect of Ramazan in Malaysia is the Ramazan bazaars that can be found at almost every corner all over the country, offering a huge array of mouth-watering delicacies for you to break your fast with.
Moroccan town criers mark fajr prayers every morning for neighborhood families. Called nafar, the town criers walk through neighborhoods at dawn prayer to awaken families with a musical horn.
Maldives
One of the ways Ramadan is celebrated in Maldives is through raivaru, a Maldivian form of religious poetry.
Raivaru is an ancient form of poetry with distinct rhythm and line patterns. For many Maldivian Muslims Ramazan is made even the more special with these beautiful forms of poetry recited in worship. And the food is yummy if you like coconuts, pineapple and fish.
In a tradition dating back beyond memory, many Iraqi men gather in large groups after breaking fast for a game of muheibes – an amusing game of deception where a ring is passed around under a cloth and people must guess who really has the ring based on body language alone. Feared lost after so many years of war, muheibes is making a comeback in recent years.
Turkey
Many neighborhoods across Turkey have an appointed drummer, with many dressed in traditional Ottoman clothes, tasked with waking up people before dawn prayers using a traditional drum called a davul. The cannon fire is launched when the call to Maghrib prayer is issued, indicating that it is time for iftar. The minarets of mosques in Istanbul and around Turkey are illuminated with glowing messages of faith by Mahya (art form) masters. People gather in mosque gardens after the taraweeh prayers to view the mahyas.
For all the sweet lovers out there, you’d also be interested to know that Turkish delight, baklava and cookies are must-have treats for breaking fast. Many families have their own special recipes that have been passed down through generations but you can also find these treats in markets across the country.
In the UAE, a tradition, haq al laila takes place on the 15th of Sha’ban. It involves children dressing up in bright, colourful clothing and going around their neighbourhood collecting sweets and nuts in tote bags. This Ramazan tradition is a huge part of the UAE culture, and many other Gulf countries. In the UAE, they have unique dishes served for iftar. One of their most famous dishes is hareesa, somewhat like our haleem.
Every year when Ramazan comes around, Bangladeshis also gather in devotion and celebration over a month-long religious festival, as do many other countries. Lights and decorations line the streets, shops and market places as masses of people take part.
To break the fast, special dishes like jalabi, a popular sweet snack, piazu, which is onion based, and beguni, made from brinjal, are prepared beforehand to be enjoyed with friends and family who come together for iftar in the evening.
In a beautifully unique tradition, in South Africa “moon watchers”, or maan kykers in Afrikaans, will stand atop Signal Hill, the shore at the Sea Point Promenade, or at Three Anchor Bay and declare when Eid-al-Fitr will be – only after seeing the crescent moon with their own eyes. Appointed directly by South Africa’s Muslim Judicial Council, this special tradition marks the end of Ramadan and celebrates the tradition of spotting the first crescent moon with the naked eye.
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From the holy cities of Makkah and Madina to the far reaches of the globe, Ramazan traditions reflect the rich tapestry of Islamic culture and heritage. Ramazan reminds us of the universal values of compassion, generosity, and brotherhood that transcend boundaries of geography and culture.
