Every Ramadan, NGO Islamic Relief USA delivers food packages to 30 countries around the world. In a form of displaying the beauty and diversity of Ramadan around the globe, Islamic Relief USA decided to share the stories of 30 Muslims from all over the world and how their heritage and traditions are intertwined in their Ramadan and Eid celebrations.
Mohammad from Iraq
“It’s as if you are going back to live those beautiful memories. Although we share so many traditions and customs, there is something very special for each town, for each city.”
Ghuydar from Syria
“Aleppo is known for two main things: the food and the music. Every family would send a child before maghrib time to the neighborhood shop to get fresh falafel, hummus, and atayef. The most important thing is the atayef.”
Hiyam from Palestine
“The kids go out in groups with the lanterns. And it was safe, you never worried about bombs. It was so peaceful. We would take the lanterns and knock on doors. We would say wahaweeya wahawee, and they would open the door and give us candy. Every night in Ramadan I looked forward to it.”
Mariem from Tunisia
“You feel like there’s a thirst for communal iftars, for more spiritual circles. And the Ministry of Religious Affairs just announced a few months ago that they will be opening the mosques for the first time in decades, for the youth. I’m really excited about this particular Ramadan.”
Imam Magid from Sudan
“There’s a very nice tradition in Sudan where the people in the neighborhood would bring the food every night outside on the street and break fast in the street, and they would not allow anyone passing by to pass without sitting and eating. There would be some people who would stand in the road and insist for people to get off their buses and stop the cars to join the Iftar, and they would insist for you to not be driving after sunset.”
Alaa from Yemen
“I always hope to go back and experience Ramadan in Yemen.”
Nour from Jordan
“The nice thing about Ramadan in Jordan is that everyone is fasting. You’re not alone. Nobody eats in the streets, and the restaurants are closed.”
Souheil from Lebanon
“During Ramadan, you pass by stores and you see the food in the window and think of all the food you want, but you know you can’t have it because you’re fasting. That makes you feel for the poor. I remember I used to save some of my allowance and pass it to some poor people I see in the streets. It really helps bond the community together. If you know someone is out of work or sick, you take care of them.”
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