TGM Egypt Ramadan Insights 2023

Egypt, a nation of 105 million people, is situated on Africa's northern coast and is surrounded by the Red Sea to the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the north.

For many years, Egypt's civilization has been characterized by its religious diversity, with numerous religious traditions over time leaving their imprint on the local populace. The current population in Egypt is roughly 90% Sunni Muslim, 10% Christian (though estimates range from 5 to 15% of the population), and less than 10 persons still identify as Jews. Many Christians and non-Muslim minorities in the larger Middle East and North Africa region are Copts, who are native Egyptian Christians. In modern days, Egyptian society encompasses many unrecognized schools and branches of Islam as well as other religious communities like: Shi’a, Quranists, Ahmadis, Bahá’is, and atheists.

Ramadan in Egypt is observed in a remarkably unique way that is unheard of in other Muslim countries. Beforehand, the markets are stocked with special Ramadan foods and drinks such dates, dried apricot paste, dried plums, nuts etc. They use fawanees (lanterns) to decorate homes in Egypt. Children sing Ramadan songs for their communities while holding fawanees. Another popular centuries-old tradition is The Traditional Dawn Awakeners when Muslims are awakened by the Drummers or Mesharatis to have a pre-dawn meal (suhur in Arabic) to prepare for the upcoming fasting day). Moreover, they also have a cannon fired at the Citadel of Saladin in Cairo to signal the start of iftar at the of the day's fast. People gather to break their fast at home or café, at time have a shisha (not during day hours).

Ramadan in 2023 is expected to start in Egypt on Thursday, March 23, 2023, and followed by the Eid al Fitr festival on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Ramadan in Egypt is observed in a remarkably unique way that is unheard of in other Muslim countries. Beforehand, the markets are stocked with special Ramadan foods and drinks such dates, dried apricot paste, dried plums, nuts etc. They use fawanees (lanterns) to decorate homes in Egypt. Children sing Ramadan songs for their communities while holding fawanees. Another popular centuries-old tradition is The Traditional Dawn Awakeners when Muslims are awakened by the Drummers or Mesharatis to have a pre-dawn meal (suhur in Arabic) to prepare for the upcoming fasting day). Moreover, they also have a cannon fired at the Citadel of Saladin in Cairo to signal the start of iftar at the of the day's fast. People gather to break their fast at home or café, at time have a shisha (not during day hours).

Ramadan in 2023 is expected to start in Egypt on Thursday, March 23, 2023, and followed by the Eid al Fitr festival on Friday, April 21, 2023.