Ramazan in Egypt is one of the more colourful festivals around the world. Streets are decorated in colourful lanterns called ‘fanoos’ with the intention of spreading joy and cheerfulness. The story of the fanoos dates back to the 10th–12th century and comes from Fatimid Caliphate. As the legend goes, when the Caliphate, a local leader or ruler, visited Cairo on the first day of Ramazan, locals held candles in the dark streets to welcome them. But over time, the candles have evolved to beautifully patterned and painted lanterns that are put up as decoration.

Ramazan in Morocco

Morocco has their own version of “human alarm clocks” called ‘nafars’. Nafars have the great responsibility and honour to wake up the community in time for sahoor and on the last night of Ramazan they’re rewarded for their service throughout the month. Unlike in Turkey, ‘nafars’ don’t dress up in Ottoman costume, but rather can be found wearing traditional Moroccan clothing such as a gandora hat and instead of beating drums, you can hear them singing prayer songs along the streets.

Ramazan in Lebanon

All across the Middle East, in countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, Ramazan each year is considered incomplete without the firing of a ceremonial cannon called midfa-al-iftar.

This is one of the oldest traditions in the world. It involves firing cannons at the end of the fasting day to alert people that it’s time for iftar.

The tradition is said to have actually originated in Egypt and all started when a ruler accidentally fired a cannon at sunset. But it’s come a long way from being an accidental misfiring to one that is looked forward to daily throughout the month. Today, Lebanon even has their own special historical cannons just for this purpose.

Drummers announce sahoor in Turkey

This Ramazan tradition is unique to Turkey and goes all the way back to the Ottoman Empire some centuries ago, when there was no such thing as an alarm clock. Dedicated drummers march the street waking everyone up in time for sahoor. What makes it even more interesting today is that these drummers don’t don ordinary clothing but wear Ottoman costume, including a fez and vest.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 16th, 2024