Ramadan 101: A Cultural Guide to Egypt’s Customs and Traditions

By Kenzy Fahmy

Once a year, for one month, Muslim communities around the world celebrate Ramadan, fasting and feasting together, reflecting on their faith and practice, spending time with the people that matter and giving to those less fortunate. It’s a great time to slow down and focus on the things that matter. It’s the perfect time to work on yourself, your habits, and maybe even make a few lifestyle changes.

For those who are new to Egypt, the customs and etiquette that surround the Holy Month can be tricky to navigate. From knowing what to bring when invited to someone’s home to how to behave while the country is fasting, here’s a little guide to introduce you to the ins and outs of Ramadan in Egypt.

Fasting and Food

Fasting is an age-old practice that can be found across cultures with hundreds of variations, whether it be switching to a plant-based diet or intermittent fasting, which is becoming more and more popular in the West. During Ramadan, fasting begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. After ‘sohoor’, the pre-sunrise meal, and the fajr (sunrise) prayer, the fast begins. No food, no water, no smoking, and ideally, no impure thoughts or actions of any kind. Alcohol and other vices are avoided for the month as well, and most bars and restaurants in country will stop serving until Eid.  

Of course not everybody fasts, and while you’re under no obligation, it’s generally seen as inconsiderate to eat or drink in front of those who are. Drinking a nice, cold bottle of water in front of a crowd of dehydrated people is not ideal! You don’t need to fast, just be delicate about how, where and when you drink, eat or smoke. That being said, cafes and restaurants are mostly open and operating normally, though most will be serving a Ramadan menu and you might want to think about timing since the whole country operates around the timing of iftar (sunset). Certain neighborhoods and areas like Maadi and Zamalek can be a bit more laid back, so it’s always a good idea to pay attention to those around you, if others aren’t fasting you can then be more at ease.

Family and Friends

Another core pillar of Ramadan, family – including friends and neighbors – is at the heart of the month’s celebrations. It’s a time when people come together, often from quite far away, to share food and enjoy the company of those they love. It’s all about the gathering, ‘el lamma’.

Family and social life are very important to Egyptians, especially during Ramadan. Iftar is a communal time when people come together to break their fast, side by side, sharing food and laughs, and catching up with loved ones over a table full of delicious dishes. Invitations are common and it’s expected that people bring something with them. Traditionally, this would be a dessert, but more recently people have been donating to charities instead as a way to reduce food waste.

Faith and Self-Improvement

It’s common for people to take this time to reflect on their beliefs and religious practice, with some even setting goals like reading the Quran from start to finish, an important annual tradition for many. And while prayer is central to Egyptian life all year round, it takes on an even more crucial role during Ramadan. You’ll often find mosques setting up prayer rugs stretching well into the street after iftar for the ‘eisha’ or evening prayer, and people make more of an effort to pray as a group or at the mosque, as opposed to at home alone as they might normally do; Ramadan is all about togetherness.

Charity

Charity is one of the core pillars of Islamic faith and an important focus for everyone during the month of Ramadan. It’s common practice to give a little extra to those less fortunate, from cash to food staples like rice and oil. Communal iftars are organized on streets throughout the country so that anyone who needs a free meal can find one. Most households will give their bawabs, drivers and housekeepers a small cash bonus at the beginning of the month, with many distributing meat at the end during Eid el Fitr. There are also many charities that one can donate to, including orphanages, schools, hospitals and aid foundations.

Decorations

From lights and lanterns to catchy songs, the festive decorations that adorn Egypt’s homes, streets, shops (and just about everything else) can be hard to miss. The brightly colored ‘fanous’ is probably the most iconic of them all; these lanterns can come in many different shapes and sizes, with many of them even playing popular Ramadan songs. They’re a great way to take part in the festivities and shopping for a lantern you love can be a lot of fun!

Mosalsalat (TV Shows)

While the month is very much about focusing on the things that really matter in life, it’s also about unwinding, taking it easy, and enjoying some of the highly-anticipated entertainment that Egyptians look forward to all year. Each day just after iftar, a lineup of shows, or ‘mosalsalat’, takes off and millions of full-bellied people gather in front of the TV to watch their favorites. It’s a tradition that goes back decades, evolving into a massive industry over the years. Ramadan shows are so popular and such a core part of the month that they’re all people talk about, aside from food of course!

Eid el Fitr

And finally, at the end of the month, the Eid el Fitr celebrations can commence. Now that Ramadan and Eid both take place during summer, those who can will flock to the North Coast to enjoy a few days by the beach. Fasting is over and people gather once again to enjoy the first few days of normality. Many families will slaughter during Eid (either a cow or a sheep) and distribute the meat to those in need as part of their charitable donations. Children often get a small ‘Edeya’ from parents, grandparents and other adults in the form of cash, and everyone gets a few days off before the country returns to its usual work-schedule.