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Ramadan is celebrated around the world: Egypt Ramadan is celebrated with much fanfare in Egypt. This month-long occassion is much of a festive affair in this nation and is observed sometimes during summer and during winter in some years, despite the fact that Ramadan is held as per the Islamic calendar. The occassion being one of prayers and self-denial, the working hours are reduced to let people have more time for prayers. There are only two meals, the "Sohour" which is eaten just before dawn and the "Iftar" which is partaken just after sunset or at any time desired. Devout Muslims, who have the opportunity, traditionally pass a major part of the day in the mosques and go to sleep at very late hours. Normally all important rituals start immediately after sundown. As Egyptians are great lovers of good food, delicious dishes are prepared during Ramadan. Television channels air their most entertaining programmes throughut the day to mark the festival. Quiz shows, known here as "El Fawazir", are a prime watch in Egypt at Ramadan time. Pious Islamists not only keep themselves away from food but also abstain from drinking, smoking or having sex from dawn to sunset during the whole month of Ramadan. Everyone practises great self-control, pray five times a day, read the entire Quran at least once during that month and give alms to the poor. Such is the effect of Ramadan that even those belonging to other religions share the fast with their Muslim friends and attempt to practice restraint. Morocco In Morocco, Ramadan is basically a time for self-restraint and not too much about festive celebrations. Fasting, prayers, charity and the reading of Quran are the main activities practised here during the occassion. People go about their business as usual with the only noticeable change being that the working hours are shortened in offices and banks. Even shops close earlier to allow the staff to get home and eat their "Iftar" at sunset. The Moroccan iftar is a sumptuous affair with the abundance of dates, milk, juices, and sweets in the menu to make up for the prolonged fasting. A prominent item is the "Harira", a lentil and tomato soup that reinvigorates the system. Hard-boiled eggs, fried fish, pastries stuffed with meat or seafood and pancakes might also be served. Women spend a lot of time preparing traditional sweets like "sellou" and "chebekia" at home in advance of Ramadan. These delicacies are also available at sweet shops across Morocco. India The Indian celebration of Ramadan is in strict accordance with the guidelines in the Islam religion. As the Islamic calendar is a lunar one, the occassion begins with the sighting of the crescent moon on the last day of Sha'aban, the eighth Islamic month. With the first sighting of the moon and the announcement of the beginning of Ramadan, people congratulate each other and visit the mosques for the Taraweeh Prayer. All physically able Muslims - men, women and teenagers - keep a fast on every day of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset, perform the "namaz" (prayer) for five times and give alms to the poor. During the full month, Muslims must abstain from smoking, drinking and sexual activities during the entire daytime every day. The Ramadan meals in India include special dishes like "Ghangui" (a soup made of floor, rice and meat slices). This soup invigorates the body after the prolonged fast and is hence, prepared and served in Muslim households as well as in the mosques. A popular drink partaken is "Harir", an Iftar speciality. For the huge Muslim community in India, Ramadan is a major festival and is a time for the purification of the body and soul.  |
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