11 interesting Ramadan traditions from around the world
The holy month of Ramadan is an empowering blend of faith, culture, and history and it is depicted through Ramadan traditions around the world. Every year, Muslim communities across the world practice the principles of abstinence during this month and celebrate age-old Ramadan traditions.
Curious to know how Ramadan is observed across different countries and cultures? Let’s get an insight into some of the fascinating Ramadan traditions around the world.
How Do Muslims Celebrate Ramadan Around the World?
You may find similarities in how Ramadan traditions are practised worldwide. While some of the concepts remain the same, there are subtle differences in the rituals associated with Ramadan based on the community.
Some of these Ramadan practices have been kept alive for generations. These deeply rooted customs and traditions of Ramadan are identifiable characteristics of different Muslim communities around the world.
Here’s a look at how some of the global traditions contribute to Ramadan celebrations in the Muslim world.
The UAE
HAQ AL LAILA
The traditional celebration of Ramadan in the UAE starts with Haq Al Laila. This celebration of the arrival of the holy month begins on the eve of 15th Sha’ban, the Islamic month before Ramadan. The basic purpose of Haq Al Laila is to spread awareness among people and children about the importance of Ramadan.
Over the years, Haq Al Laila has become one of the most religiously practised Ramadan traditions in the UAE. Children of the neighbourhood come out on the streets dressed cheerfully. They walk around the area singing songs, collecting sweets, and chanting “Aatona Allah Yutikom, Bait Makkah Yudikum,” meaning “Give to Allah and we will reward you and help you visit Mecca.”
Another interesting tradition is Ramadan cannons in the UAE, which mark the daily timings of suhoor and iftar.
KUWAIT
QARQIA’AN
Regarding Ramadan traditions and customs in Kuwait, Qarqian’an is a popular tradition in the country similar to Haq Al Laila. The difference is that this Ramadan tradition is celebrated in the month of Ramadan – not before it. The celebration goes on for three days.
Kids don traditional garb and sing songs for the Ramadan celebration. There are different songs for boys and girls. Children often improvise the songs to include special wordings to personalise them for the person they are singing to. This tradition is an opportunity for Kuwaiti children to learn about fasting during this joyous month, and the ones who fast are rewarded with sweets.
SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide during Ramadan because it is home to the two holiest mosques. Muslims flock to Mecca to pray and experience the spiritual atmosphere of the holy city.
Traditionally, Saudi Arabians break their fast (Iftar) with dates and water to gently ease their stomachs back into eating after a long day of fasting. A typical iftar meal might also include dishes like beans with olive oil and samosas. These are savoury pastries filled with potato, chicken or cheese.
Another Ramadan tradition and custom observed in KSA is Gargee’an. This tradition is celebrated on the 13th, 14th or 15th night of the holy month. Often compared to Halloween, Gargee’an involves children dressing up in their finest cultural clothes. They then visit neighbours, singing special songs and receiving treats in return – a delightful way to spread joy and strengthen community bonds.
INDONESIA
PADUSAN
Padusan, for Indonesian Muslims, is an act of purification ritual performed for cleansing of the soul and body for fasting as well as prayer.
Before the start of Ramadan, the Muslims of Indonesia bathe and cleanse themselves in the natural pools nearby. This deeply embedded cultural practice of Padusan is believed to purify the believer for Ramadan.
NYEKAR
When we talk about unique Ramadan traditions around the world, Nyekar is one of them. This Indonesian Ramadan practice takes place before the holy month begins.
The Javanese Muslims indulge in Nyekar to pay their respects to their family’s departed members. According to ancient Javanese beliefs, the month of Ramadan marks the beginning of a new life cycle and the end of the previous one.
This practice has been passed down through generations, with some rural populations presenting worldly offerings to their deceased ancestors.
EGYPT
FANOUS
This is perhaps one of the most colourful and beautiful Ramadan traditions around the world. Fanous or Ramadan lanterns are unique, brightly coloured lamps.
As part of the Ramadan traditions in Egypt, the streets, homes and neighbourhoods are lit up with these metal and glass lanterns. Known for their distinct designs and intricate craftsmanship, the fanous has become universally symbolic of Ramadan.
MESAHARATY
Suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle during Ramadan. Waking the believers up for suhoor has great significance in Islam. Almost all Muslim-majority countries in the world have mechanisms that help believers wake up for suhoor.
In many Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan, this Ramadan tradition is upheld by the Mesaharaty, or the “night caller.” The Mesaharaty walks around the neighbourhood streets, calling out for people to wake up. The soft beating of the drum accompanies this act.
The Mesaharaty is usually a local, familiar with the families living in the neighbourhood. The fact that these selfless people call out individual family names to wake them up makes this one of the most precious Ramadan traditions around the world.
TURKEY
THE DRUMMERS
Imagine being awakened in the middle of the night with loud drum rolls. The situation would leave many agitated, but that’s not how it is in Turkey during Ramadan.
Turkish drummers, clad in traditional garb and with their Davul (double-sided drum) banded to their bodies, roam the streets of Turkey, waking people up for suhoor.
They sing and drum through the neighbourhood, waking people up for a modest tip (bahsis). People often invite the drummers into their homes to share the suhoor meal. Out of all the Ramadan traditions in Turkey, this one stands out for generosity and celebrating the spirit of Ramadan.
MOROCCO
THE NAFARS OF MOROCCO
Similar to the drummers of Turkey and the Mesaharaty of Egypt, the Nafars of Morocco are responsible for waking believers up for suhoor. The Nafar, who wears the traditional gandora, hat, and simple slippers, saunters through the neighbourhood, singing melodious prayers.
The sounds of these prayers sweep through the town, spreading an air of tranquillity and gratitude as believers wake up from their slumber to prepare for the fast. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Ramadan traditions in Morocco.
The townspeople usually select the community’s most empathetic and honest people, Nafars, to carry out this esteemed task. On the last night of Ramadan, these men are officially compensated for upholding this longstanding Ramadan tradition in Morocco.
IRAQ
MHEIBES
While waking up for suhoor is all-important, there is no harm in having some light-hearted fun during Ramadan. Of all the Ramadan traditions in Iraq, the most celebrated is the game of Mheibes.
After breaking the fast at sunset every day, the men in Iraq gather around the neighbourhood for the game. There are two groups. Each group consists of around 40 to 250 players at a time. The teams take turns to conceal a ring.
The game starts with one group leader discreetly passing the ring to one of his team members. These team members sit on the ground with tight fists in their laps. The other team has to guess which of the members has the ring. This game of deceit is simple yet interesting and has been passed down through generations in Iraq.
LEBANON
FIRING CANNONOS FOR IFTAR (MIDFA AL IFTAR)
This is perhaps one of the oldest living Ramadan traditions around the world. Several countries in the Middle East, including Lebanon, practice Midfa al Iftar even today – almost 200 years after it began. Midfa al Iftar wasn’t always a part of the Ramadan traditions in Lebanon.
This Ramadan tradition is said to have originated in Egypt. Once, during the month of Ramadan, the then-ruler Khosh Qadam accidentally fired a cannon at sunset. Its sound reverberated across the city of Cairo, and people mistook it for a signal for the end of the fast. The people widely appreciated the act and eventually made it a tradition.
Many Middle Eastern countries adopted Midfa al Iftar as the official signal to declare the end of the day’s fast. Lebanon has special Midfa al Iftar canons dating back to the 19th Century, which are used today solely for this purpose.
BANGLADESH, INDIA AND PAKISTAN
CHAAND RAAT
On the last eve of Ramadan, which is termed “Chaand Raat” (night of the moon), streets in South Asia come alive with festivity. This is the eve before Eid al Fitr. As per Ramadan traditions in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, friends and families celebrate Chaand Raat by exchanging desserts and sweet treats.
People go out for last-minute shopping and entertainment. In these countries, it is a common spectacle to see girls and women flocking to jewellery stores and makeshift henna stalls to get matching bangles or apply henna to their hands.
Henna application remains a long-standing Ramadan tradition in South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The local bazaars are exuberant with excitement for Eid, which collectively uplifts the community spirit.
SOUTH AFRICA
Muslims worldwide celebrate the end of Ramadan upon sighting the first crescent moon. However, South Africa adds a special layer to this tradition with the maan kykers (Afrikaans for “moon watchers”).
These individuals, appointed by the South African Muslim Judicial Council, gather for special moon sighting events, most notably in Cape Town. Unlike other places, only the official maan kykers have the authority to declare Ramadan’s official end, ushering in the joyous Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
Standing along scenic locations like the Sea Point Promenade, Three Anchor Bay or even atop Signal Hill, the maan kykers scan the night sky with the naked eye. A clear Cape Town night offers a breathtaking backdrop for this crucial task, making the successful sighting of the crescent moon all the more special for the Muslim community.
FAQS ABOUT RAMADAN TRADITIONS
WHICH FESTIVAL IS CELEBRATED AFTER RAMADAN?
As per the Islamic calendar, Eid Al Fitr is a festival immediately after Ramadan.
WHAT IS THE PROPER GREETING FOR RAMADAN?
For the month of Ramadan, greetings can be exchanged by saying Ramadan Kareem or Ramadan Mubarak.
DO OFFICES IN THE UAE HAVE SPECIAL RAMADAN TIMINGS?
Yes, offices in the UAE have reduced working hours during Ramadan. Remember that the Ramadan 2024 working hours in the UAE are different for the public and private sectors.
WHERE CAN I SEND DONATIONS TO CHARITIES IN DUBAI DURING RAMADAN?
You can donate to various charities in Dubai during Ramadan. This includes the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Mother Endowment campaign, the Dubai Police Ramadan initiative and others.
HOW LONG DOES RAMADAN LAST?
Ramadan can be 29 or 30 days long, depending on the moon’s sighting. The starting and ending dates for the month vary accordingly.
If you are in Dubai around this time, don’t forget to try out the best places for suhoor. Many restaurants offer iftar deals in Dubai.
Keep our guide to the Ramadan prayer timings for 2024 handy, so you don’t miss out on your worship. If you are looking for different ways to celebrate this holy month, our guide to Ramadan 2024 in Dubai outlines several things you can do.
That’s a wrap to this post on Ramadan traditions around the world. We hope you find the information useful and enlightening.
On Eid don’t forget to try Arabic desserts and sweets – a delightful exploration of flavours and textures!
Do you have any Ramadan traditions of your own? Share them with us in the comments below. We’d love to know about all your family traditions for Ramadan.
