You’ll never understand Egypt if you don’t understand Islam.
For most Egyptians, faith permeates their lives.
And the center of Islam
is the mosque.
It’s more than just a place of worship
it’s a sanctuary.
Whether you’re an office worker,
A homeless man,
Or just looking for a place to hang out and dry some clothes.
Islam rests on five pillars.
they’re a set of commandments that every good Muslim should strive to follow.
You must believe that God is the only deity
and that Muhammad is his messenger.
You must pray at least five times a day
No matter how tired you are.
And once a year, you must fast for an entire month.
For the thirty days of Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat,
drink, smoke, or have sex
from dawn until dusk.
That’s particularly difficult when Ramadan falls in the middle of Egypt’s scorchingly hot summer.
Why fast at all?
So that you know what it’s like to be poor and hungry.
It’s meant to encourage empathy.
Fasting is obligatory for adult Muslims
unless they are ill, pregnant, or menstruating.
All good deeds count double during Ramadan
especially giving alms.
One popular way to be charitable
is to sponsor a Mercy Meal.
Businessmen will put out tables
and cook up a whole mess of food.
And anyone who shows up eats for free.
You don’t have to be Muslim.
And you don’t even have to be poor.
But for all Muslims,
Iftar – the breaking of the fast each evening
Is a chance to celebrate faith and family,
make new friends,
and partake of special Ramadan foods.
Though those last few minutes before 7PM
can seem like an eternity.
Nobody’s had anything to eat or drink since 330AM.
In many ways,
Ramadan is like Christmas
and Thanksgiving all rolled into one.
Decorations appear on every house and corner
Mostly in the shape of fanous – Ramadan lanterns.
It’s traditional to buy a new one every year
like choosing a Christmas tree.
Parents dig into their meagre savings to buy toys for the children.
Specialty food sellers pop up on every corner
for those who don’t have time to cook.
Even though this is supposed to be a month of fasting,
twice as much food gets consumed during Ramadan
than any other time of the year.
Women spend long days in tiny kitchens,
preparing that all-important evening meal.
Zuccini.
Chicken stew.
Stuffed grape leaves.
Boiled beef.
The ultimate Egyptian comfort foods.
Afterwards there’s time to relax and let your hair down.
At its heart
Ramadan is a celebration of family.