Egyptians of All Walks of Life During Ramadan

With the beginning of Ramadan each year, many Egyptians decorate their streets and corridors to welcome the holy month in Cairo.

This year - despite the hot weather - Egyptian Muslims fast 15 hours. During that period, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations. Some Muslims sleep during the time of fasting.

Mohamed Labeb, a 37-year-old driver, says, “It doesn’t look appropriate if I hang out in a coffee shop during the fasting hours, that’s why I go fishing until time of Iftar comes.”

This Ramadan season, the satellite's Arabic TV channels offer a list of more than 60 series for TV viewers to follow during the month. Sarah, who spends many hours during Ramadan in front of the TV, says “When I’m watching TV, I forget to eat or drink, with watching TV I can fast for days.”

Buying and eating fruits is encouraged during Ramadan as it keeps people hydrated for longer periods.

Muslim weddings aren’t encouraged during Ramadan. This group of traditional musicians came from Al-Sharqya province to Cairo to play their music in the street for some food or tips.

Hajj Ibrahim, a prayer' beads seller, is reading the Quran while waiting for customers in Al Sayeda Zainab (in old Cairo).

Although Muslims pray during the whole year, they become more concerned about their religious rituals, like praying in groups during Ramadan.

During the fasting hours, some Muslims go shopping to buy new clothes. By the end of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate the end of the fasting with a feast called “Eid El-Fitr.” In Egypt, children are dressed in brand new clothes for the occasion.

A group of Egyptian athletes gathers in a square to work out before sunset. Athletes find that working out during the last hour of fasting is better for burning more calories than normal.

In wealthy neighborhoods Egyptians prepare food for free, mainly for the poor, however, anybody is welcome to join and eat.

The last hour before sundown, everybody is rushing back home to catch Iftar with their family.

Young Egyptians distribute juice and dates to passersby and drivers in their cars at the time of Iftar.

After sunset when everybody has their fast, Egyptians go to coffee shops to drink coffee and smoke hookah.