Every year, Muslims practice abstinence during the Holy month of Ramadan. Fasting and refraining from worldly desires are just some of the principles of this abstinence. Be that as it may, Ramadan is one of the most festive times for Muslim communities. Centuries-old traditions are celebrated in many ways and forms, making it a lively occasion altogether. Here are some of the traditions of Muslim communities around the world during Ramadan.
Fanous (Egypt)
In Egypt, the locals would decorate their homes with fanous, which means ‘lantern’ in Arabic. You can also spot these lanterns in the streets where it is used to enliven the festive atmosphere in Ramadan. There are many tales about the origin of this tradition, but the most famous one is the story about the arrival of Caliph al-Mu’izz li-Din Allah al-Fatimy in Cairo, over a thousand years ago. Since Caliph was expected to arrive at night, the locals illuminated his path using candles enclosed in cases to avoid them being extinguished. As the Caliph walked through town, he admired the design of these lanterns, and from there on, the fanous became symbolic of Ramadan.
Haq al Laila (UAE)
This tradition begins on the eve of the 15th of Sha’ban, which is the Islamic month before Ramadan. The basic purpose of Haq Al Laila is to spread awareness about the importance of Ramadan. Children would walk in the streets dressed in traditional clothes and knock on doors to collect sweets from their neighbours. You could say it is similar to trick-or-treating. They would chant “Aatona Allah Yutikom, Bait Makkah Yudikum,” meaning “give to us and Allah will reward you, and help you visit Mecca.”
Maahefun (Maldives)
Maahefun is a tradition unique to Maldives. It is a feast, a celebratory ‘last meal’ to have before beginning the month-long fasting during Ramadan. Traditional Maahefun dishes are made from ingredients that were the easiest to source in the Maldives. This includes coconut, smoked fish and fish paste, coconut honey, taro, screwpine and cassava.
Padusan (Indonesia)
This is a custom unique to the people of Central Java and Yogyakarta. Padusan comes from the word ‘adus’, which means bathe. This ritual is originally done solitarily at a well or a spring to cleanse one’s body, soul and mind before embarking on the Holy month of Ramadan. Nowadays, Padusan is celebrated together in a big crowd on the eve of Ramadan. It is a fun celebration that has become a tourist attraction in the region.
Cannon Firing (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
In Sarajevo, there is a fortress called the Yellow Bastion is part of the old city walls built in the 18th century. It is from this place that cannons were fired during Ramadan to mark the start of iftar (breaking fast). Iftar picnic at the Yellow Bastion has become a tradition and an incredible experience not just for Sarajevans, but also for tourists from all over the world.
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