Ramadan Karim

This year, Ramadan began September 13. (That's about two weeks ago, for those of you who don't keep track of time.) Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic (lunar(moon)) calendar. Ramadan begins when the new cresent moon is spotted. (See previous parentheses.) I'm assuming that the vast majority of people who have any reason to be reading this blog are pretty well-educated, and are somewhat familiar with Ramadan. But, again, here's the low-down: Ramadan is the holiest month of the year for Muslims. It is the month during which Mohammed first received revelations from Allah (that's God). During the month of Ramadan, Muslims partake in this thing called "fasting". Fasting entails not eating, not drinking (including water), not smoking, not sexing, and pretty much not doing anything mean or bad. To be clear about this, Muslims do not NOT eat for the ENTIRE month. That doesn't make sense. Fasting takes place from sunrise, roughly 4:30am, to sunset, sometime after 6pm. Between 6pm and 4:30am: game on - eat, drink, smoke, all you want. Fasting is broken once the sun has set, and a call is issued from the mosques. Then, it's iftar time. "Iftar" is the name of the evening meal, which comes from the word that means "to breakfast". The last meal, before the day starts, is called "sohour". Ramadan days are quite long, and everything readjusts around the eating schedule. My school even has a special Ramadan schedule. All my classes are earlier and shorter, so that everyone can make it home for iftar. Late afternoon classes get pushed back even later, so that they happen after iftar. And traffic is definately something special between three and five, as all the Cairenes rush home for iftar.

Over 80% of the population of Egypt is Muslim, about 10% Christian, and a very small percent is that "J" one. Can you imagine 80% of the most wacked-out city you know (most of that 80% being smokers) abstaining from eating, drinking, and all other pleasurable activities?! You notice the difference. Ramadan affects everything. Although, it seems to get better after about the first week, once the withdrawl symptoms have subsided. I don't know about that though. I tried fasting for the first week of Ramadan... it sucked. I can't imagine an entire month of fasting. Iftar is a pretty fun time, but the rest of the day is not. Mad props to all those Muslims, fasting is tough shit.

During Ramadan, Muslims also spend considerably more time praying, reading the Quran, and being charitable. It's not just about the fasting. But that is definately TOUGH SHIT.