Fasting and Feasting During Ramadan

Muslims everywhere are observing a holy month of fasting and feasts, a time of religious reflection shared with family and friends.

BY MICHAEL WILKERSON | AUGUST 28, 2009

CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images

Heading into a holy time: Muslims the world over are observing the holy month of Ramadan. In addition to fasting from dawn until sundown, Muslims are also expected to abstain from smoking, sex, and drinking -- even water -- during these hours. Although a time for prayer and reflection, Ramadan also includes festive family feasts to break the fast, and in Egypt, traditional tin lanterns called fawanis are used to decorate. Above, a man in Cairo carries bread past a stall selling fawanis on Aug. 16.

CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images

 

Michael Wilkerson is a researcher at Foreign Policy.

DARVE

5:36 PM ET

September 7, 2009

Ramadan

I'm wondering why the author didn't research the faith of those who decide not to fast and eat in the public. Folks, whatever you don't eat in the public during the month of Ramdan! Unless you want to end up death, severly beaten or dead.

 

DARVE

5:39 PM ET

September 7, 2009

Ramdan

I'm wondering why the author didn't research the faith of those who decide not to fast and eat in the public. Folks, whatever you do, don't eat in the public during the month of Ramdan! Unless you want to end up death, severly beaten or disappear.

 

GUYVER

11:38 AM ET

September 16, 2009

Great pictures

Thanks!

 

ALISYED

8:05 AM ET

September 19, 2009

Great Pictures

Thanks!!