Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. All communities welcome the Holy Month with their unique traditions and practices.
Ramadan begins with the rise of the crescent moon and is a time of spiritual discipline, charity, generosity and prayer.
During the day, Muslims around the world fast from dawn to dusk, refraining from eating or drinking liquids (including water), and refraining from smoking, rumors and discussion. But the night is the real day of Ramadan.
The festival begins throughout the Arab world after iftar (breaking fasting) at dusk.
Ramadan in Lebanon is different, but it’s even more beautiful and interesting. With 40% of the population being Christians, Lebanon is actually one of the few Arab countries where you can enjoy the spirit of Ramadan’s celebration! But even so, you can still eat a decent meal during the sun without staring at the judges’ eyes.
With the Holy Moon in the middle, we’ll take a look at some interesting Ramadan vibes in Lebanon, a Western Asian country.
Musaharati (Awakening at Dawn)
At the dawn time in Ramadan, Musaharati is a common sight in many parts of the Arab world, especially Lebanon. Musaharati is a drummer, also known as the Awakening of Dawn, and wakes up Muslims for Suhole because he beats the drums just before dawn.
Thanks to Musaharati, people can sleep peacefully knowing that they will not miss their Suu Hall meals.
He has an astonishing voice filling the air at dawn, calls on people to stand up, holds a suhore, prepares for Fazir’s prayer (the prayer at dawn), and begins a new day of Ramadan.
The history of the hijaz musaharati dates back to centuries. His function appears to have been part of social life, particularly during the Islamic era, during the Mamerk and Ottoman eras.
Non-Muslims are also enjoying Ramadan!!!
In Lebanon, Ramadan, like Christmas, is also seen as a national opportunity. In this country, the festival of Ramadan is enjoyed by all communities and is not limited to Muslims.
The annual IFTAR dinner is held at the Presidential Palace, where all community leaders and religious figures take part.
In Iftar Dinners, Muslims and non-Muslims, fasters and non-fasting people sit next to each other. There is a compromise from both sides in the sense that the peculiarity of fast people is respected, and at the same time there is tolerance for those who are not.
Charities, civic organizations, and businesses host IFTAR dinners for fundraising purposes, where guests from a variety of religious communities and denominations are invited.
Tripoli, Lebanon, is alive and lively at night during Ramadan
Ramadan in Tripoli is truly beautiful. Tripoli breathes new life during the Holy Month. People come from all over the country and enjoy famous sweets, handmade crafts and an atmosphere of joy.
At sunset, Muslim families will enjoy iftar with their Christian neighbors and listen to Hakawati and storytellers late at the cafe or visit the park to see Sufi Darvish making their dream-like twirls.
“After Iftar, there is this energy that people go all night,” says Fatima Tadmoury, 29, who tastes the nocturnal spirit adopted by the city of Lebanon between Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.
At 2:15am, Musaharati is breaking the drums and awakening those living in the old town of Tripoli before Suhole. There is a short, sleepy silence, but the streets begin to stir. The smell of cooking wafts through medieval alleyways as communal cinc.
Special Lebanese desserts from Iftar
As an important part of Ramadan, Suhor and Iftar meals are at the heart of gatherings around the world, giving people another reason to reunite with friends and family.
The Arab world, particularly Lebanon, has special dishes and sweets served during the holy month of Ramadan.
The next sweets and dessert is a special Ramadan recipe that Lebanese people usually prepare iftar meals during Ramadan.
Keraji
Keraji is one of the most popular desserts during the Ramadan season. It is light doe filled with ashta cream, fried and soaked in syrup at once. Pure joy!
Mafroukeh
Mafroukeh is made from a dough that combines semolina flour, butter and sugar syrup. The dough is covered with a layer of ashta and roasted nuts. Mafroukeh can be served on plates or molded in several forms.
Chaaybiyet
A classy dessert commonly prepared during Ramadan, chaibiet is made up of a crunchy layer of pastries filled with ashta. Chaaybiyet is generally shaped in a triangular shape, decorated with crushed pistachios and candied orange flowers, and is definitely covered in sweet syrup! They can serve either cold or hot.
daukiyeh
Daoukiyeh is one of Beirut’s most famous desserts. It was first created in the 80s by Al-Daouk Sweets, a small pastry shop in Beirut, and was named after a family surname.
The daukie consists of a layer of ashta and a layer of cashew nuts between two layers of pistachio paste.
The color of the pistachio gives the Daukie a special green colour. Today, Daoukiyeh is prepared in many pastry shops across the country and is served in a variety of forms.
Qatayef
Qatayef is very commonly offered during Ramadan. This Arabic pancake-like dough can be prepared with a variety of fillings, such as walnut and sugar mixtures, sweet accawi cheese, and even ashta (rose water and cream packed).
The stuffed qatayef is then fried and soaked in sugar syrup before serving.