Ramadan Karim!
Tables are set-up on the streets, work days are condensed, traffic is horrendous, people are fasting all day (so tempers sometimes flare) and there are gatherings and celebrations every night. Welcome to Ramadan, the Islamic Holy month, in Egypt, which this year is from August 22 – September 22 (approximately). It is also really hot this year! Ramadan is a time of giving back to communities and the poor. Despite the heat and lack of work that happens during this month, there are a lot of gatherings of iftar (to break the fast at the end of the day) which I particularly enjoy. People gathering together: Christians, Muslims and others to break the fast together and share in a meal.
It is also the one year anniversary/birthday of Ayadi! I remember arriving in Cairo last year in the middle of Ramadan and trying to meet people and get some work done. It was nearly impossible to coordinate anything, with the abbreviated work schedules! The tentmakers that I am currently working with are on condensed schedules, but I am happy to say we are actually producing this month and we are coordinating well!
Some of the common scenes on the Cairo streets this month are: delicious pasteries, tents, and lanterns…So colorful and vibrant…Reflect on your countries' traditions…and how it brings people together…would love to hear about them from you!
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Ramadhan in Jakarta, Indonesia
One thing I love the most from Ramadhan is the moment of break fasting. It's so great to see people get together sharing meal one another even though we don't know each other. Feels like the boundaries is so tight. In Jakarta, if we break the fasting in the mall, most of the restaurants serve free tajil (sweet drinks and pasteries) or even in some Masjid they serve dinner for people whose break fasting there. They get the dinner from volunteers. It's so peaceful.
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