When is ramadan in Egypt, Oman, Turkey

Ramadan is the most important month in the Muslim lunar calendar.It commemorates the month in which the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad took place, and therefore Muslims must abstain from food, drink and bodily temptations throughout this period. It is a movable period, so before leaving for a Muslim country, it is worth checking whether our vacation will fall just in time for Ramadan.

When does Ramadan fall

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Muslim calendar, so there are no fixed dates in the Gregorian calendar – it falls on a different date every year.It always lasts for 30 days. The dates of Ramadan in the coming years are as follows:

– 2024 – from March 11 to April 9
– 2025 – from March 1 to March 30
– 2026 – from February 18 to March 19
– 2027 – from February 8 to March 9
– 2028 – from January 28 to February 26
– 2029 – from January 16 to February 14

Importantly, the fasting period does not last around the clock, but only from sunrise to sunset. During these hours, Muslims are not allowed to eat, drink, smoke cigarettes or have sex. Only pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, sick people and travelers are exempted from the fast, but it is recommended that a 30-day fast be held at other times.

Ramadan in Turkey

In the Muslim religion, a new day begins with sunset, so breakfast is actually the last meal of the day.In Ramadan, the meal before dawn is called suhur, while iftar is eaten after sundown, and is usually an occasion to celebrate in a larger group, with family and friends.

Turkey is known for its extremely lavish Ramadan celebrations – the approaching sunrise is reminded by the loud beating of drums, a custom dating back to the Ottoman Empire. Iftar is an ideal opportunity to enjoy Turkey’s famous baklava and sweet pastries baked especially for the occasion.

Ramadan in Egypt

What does Ramadan mean for tourists crowding Egypt? An Egyptian visa entitles you to travel throughout the country, but you should choose your destination wisely. Hotels generally operate as they do in other months, and non-Muslims are not expected to fast, so you can dine normally and reach for refreshing drinks. Outside the resorts, however, restraint is advised; moreover, cafes and restaurants usually remain closed for most of the day. On the other hand, a vacation during Ramadan is a unique opportunity to get to know another culture up close, although you should be wary of the traditional delicacies sold at local stalls – they may end up with the Pharaoh’s revenge, so just in case, it’s a good idea to buy Antinal in advance to help with stomach ailments.

Egypt is extremely colorful during Ramadan. The streets are richly decorated, which has to do with an old tradition that began between the 10th and 12th centuries – when the caliph entered Cairo on the first day of Ramadan, candles were lit in his honor so that he would not travel in the dark. Over time, there were more and more candles and colorful lanterns appeared, and this custom is still cultivated by the people of Egypt today.

Ramadan in the United Arab Emirates

A characteristic tradition associated with Ramadan in the country is Haq Al Laila, celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Sha’aban, which is two weeks before the start of the festive period.It is a custom reminiscent of the Western “trick or treat” – children on this day dress up and visit their neighbors collecting candy from them. Similar customs are also found in other Gulf countries.

In addition, the United Arab Emirates pay a great deal of attention to food. Special dishes are prepared for iftar, and one of the most popular dishes is harees, cooked with bulgur or wheat mixed with meat and heavily seasoned.

Check: How to get from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and back?

Ramadan in Morocco

In Morocco there is a similar tradition to that in Turkey, that is, loudly announcing the arrival of dawn, with the difference that it is not drums, but choral singing of Muslim prayers.Performing such service is considered a great honor and comes with considerable responsibility, so at the end of the month the singers receive gifts from the locals. Singers dress in traditional Moroccan costumes during Ramadan, which is an added attraction.Iftar is called ftour by Moroccans.For breakfast before the fast begins, something light, such as dates and fruit juice, is eaten first, followed by harira, for example, which is a warm soup based on lentils and chickpeas, with meat and tomato sauce, and boiled eggs, pasties and baked fish are also popular dishes.

Ramadan in Indonesia

Indonesia is a Muslim country in Southeast Asia, where customs are somewhat different than in either North Africa or the Middle East.A particularly important tradition for Indonesians is padusan, a ritual involving purification of body and spirit before prayer and fasting.The day before Ramadan begins, the country’s residents crowd natural pools and springs where they can bathe in preparation for the holy month.Another important custom is nyekar, derived from the Muslims of Java – the faithful visit the graves of their loved ones and pray on their behalf.

Ramadan in Lebanon

Midfa Al Iftar is one of the oldest traditions that is still cultivated today, and is very popular right now in Lebanon – every day, when the sun is already about to set, cannon shots are heard announcing that it is time for iftar.The tradition probably originated in Egypt, when the ruler of the time accidentally fired a cannon, and today it’s a planned event that all of Lebanon looks forward to.

Ramadan in Pakistan

Very many of the country’s religious customs are derived from the local culture.At iftar, dishes mainly from Pakistani cuisine like pakora and samosa are served, and for drinking, revelers are given rose beverages. At the end of Ramadan, Pakistan celebrates Eid and chaand raat, or “night of the moon,” which is a time for joyful revelry and buying colorful goodies such as bracelets. Many women also choose to get henna tattoos.

Ramadan in Bangladesh

Bangladesh also celebrates Ramadan in its own way. Religious festivals are held throughout the country for the 30 days of the holy month, the streets are decorated with colorful decorations and lights, and festive meals are eaten in large groups, often on the streets. Culinary specialties in Bangladesh include sweet jilapi snacks, onion piazu, and eggplant beguni.

Should you go on vacation during Ramadan?

Ramadan customs and regulations vary from country to country. On hotel beaches and in restaurants, tourists can behave as usual, but in public places you should not eat or drink. You should also expect that service during this time is likely to have less energy and a worse mood than usual, because followers of Islam do not eat or drink during their work.

Visiting Egypt, Tunisia or Turkey can be a real challenge during Ramadan, because many stores and service outlets close for the fasting period, but at the same time tourists are often invited to celebrate together, which is an unusual experience for those raised in Western culture.