Ramadan Special Edition ©Nadia Mabrouk, Wilaya d'Alger, Shivan Ibrahim, Mohamed Solaimane
©Nadia Mabrouk, Wilaya d'Alger, Shivan Ibrahim, Mohamed Solaimane

Dossier
 Ramadan Special

Ramadan is a special month. It's a time of prayer and fasting, but also a chance of reflection and for coming together as a community. RUYA brings you special Ramadan perspectives and moments from the region in this special edition. 

Andrew Ibrahim's family makes recycled lanterns as gifts for Muslims. ©Nadia Mabrouk

Ramadan Special3 min
 One Community: How Egyptian Christians Embrace Ramadan

In Egypt, Ramadan is for everyone. Here, a Christian hosts an iftar table for fasting Muslims; there, a Christian takes on the role of the mesaharati to celebrate the holy month; and elsewhere, a Christian teaches Christian children about the significance of this sacred month for their Muslim peers.
 

Egypt
Community iftar in downtown Algiers, Algeria ©Wilaya d'Alger

Ramadan Special3 min
 Ramadan’s communal iftars: the age-old tradition finding new life in the West

Communal Iftars are a tradition that is now considered a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. While an increasing number of communities in the MENA region fear for the future of communal iftars their popularity rises in the West. 

Yemen
Each year, Egyptians food market has been modifying the kunafa, a traditional dessert that is popular across the region. One of the more popular trends was the nutella kunafa. ©Goethe-Institut/RUYA, Nadine Tag

Ramadan Special3 min
 Will Egypt’s years-long kunafa trend survive the economic dip?

There are many creation myths surrounding the Middle East’s iconic dessert, kunafa. The traditional dish is craved year-round, but is exceptionally in high demand during Muslims' holy month. Nadine Tag dives into its history, new trends and how the recent economic crisis is affecting this loved dish. 

Egypt
Syrian Kurds in their traditional outfits performing the Kurdish dabke in celebration of Newroz on March 21, Qamishli, Syria. ©Shivan Ibrahim

Ramadan Special3 min
 Syria’s Kurds struggle to pick favorites as Ramadan and Newroz coincide

Syria’s 2.5 million Kurds, predominantly Sunni Muslims, observe Newroz, joining diverse ethnic groups from around the world in celebration. This year, Syrian Kurds struggle to choose between this tradition, deeply intertwined with their identity, and their faith as Newroz and Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month, coincided for the second time in 34 years.

Syria
A family in Deir el Balah, Gaza puts up the few Ramdan decorations they have ©Mohamed Solaimane

Ramdan Special3 min
 Gazans seek Ramadan’s cheerful vibe in bid to break state of misery

Gazans experiencing their worst war and humanitarian crisis in decades, with families torn apart by death and displacement, their city largely flattened by Israeli raids, and amidst scarce food and nonexistent essentials that is leading to deaths out of starvation. Amidst all of this horror many are still trying to salvage the spirit of Ramadan.

Palestinian territories