Ramadan in Egypt, a festive month filled with lights, is quite unlike the month in any other country. Despite the growing importance of television and the market culture, Egypt is holding onto its traditions: The fanous (lantern), the mesaharaty (the night-caller) and the charitable meals known as Mawaed Al-Rahman (meals from God the Merciful).

The history of the fanous and the mesaharaty dates back to the Fatimid era in Egypt. Some say that the use of lanterns can be traced to the year 392 of the

Islamic calendar when Egyptians carried lanterns to welcome the new Caliph El Muizz Li-Din Allah at Cairo’s entrance gate. Others say that women, who ventured outside their home, during the Fatimid era, were accompanied by a boy, carrying a lantern, in order to warn men passing by to move away. Long after these customs disappeared, people kept on using the colorful lanterns for decorative purposes.

Lanterns are lit in the streets, in homes, restaurants, stores, hotels, throughout the country, and they definitely symbolize the month of Ramadan in Egypt. Interestingly enough, until recently, the Ramadan lantern was merely found in rural areas and the poorer sections of towns.

In the past, typical lanterns — fawanees — decorated with intricate geometric patterns were fitted with candles; they were made of tin and colored glass during the month of Shaaban. The era of globalization, which has swept the world, is no stranger to Egypt. Once uniquely made by Egyptian silversmiths, in the lamps market, leading to Bab Zuweila, one of Cairo’s oldest entrances, these beautiful hand-made lanterns are being replaced by battery-operated ones made in China.

The presence of night-criers — mesaharaty — roaming the streets in towns and villages is yet another tradition still alive in Egypt. In a country which does not sleep until dawn during the month of Ramadan, the role of the “mesaharaty” is to wake up people for sahoor, the last meal taken before the beginning of the fast. In the past, the “mesaharaty” would stop in front of every house in the neighborhood, beating his drum and even calling out people by their names.

Bilal bin Rabah, the first muazzin in Islam, is also considered the first “mesaharaty” as he used to warn people from the top of the mosque to refrain from eating. In Egypt, the tradition is said to have started in the year 238 AH (Hijri) with Antaba bin Ishaq, who was then the country’s ruler. He used to walk from Fustat City to Amr ibn Al Aas Mosque asking Muslims to have their sahoor. Eventually, the “mesaharaty”, used the drum, a musical instrument whose powerful sound, never failed to wake up anyone, regardless of how deep his sleep.

Despite the increasing popularity of TV serials that keep people awake until the time for sahoor, the “mesaharaty” has not disappeared from Cairo. Many have forecast his passing but the “mesaharaty” is still a part of the Ramadan scene. He does not receive a fixed salary but receives tips at the end of the month. He embodies a living tradition, and brings us a glimpse of the past. His reassuring presence, signaled by loud drumbeats, reminds us that Ramadan is about compassion and sharing.

The tradition of offering free iftars, known as Mawaed Al-Rahman is also typical of Egypt. This noble tradition reflects the spirit of Ramadan since we are required to increase donations and charitable actions. However, due to the rising cost of living this year, many have chosen to cancel the free iftars and instead distribute food directly to needy families.

The Egyptian government has canceled the official meals it used to host during the month of Ramadan. And the Ministry of Religious Endowments announced that the money set aside for these iftars, has been used to purchase Ramadan bags containing rice, macaroni and cooking oil.

This has proven extremely popular. A number of people, who want to feed needy people have realized that, many poor families feel too shy to come to these free meals. They have consequently decided to hand out directly to needy people thousands of Ramadan bags. In the mean time many workers, who cannot be home in time for iftar will have to break their fast with a ful (boiled beans) sandwich instead of a hot and nutritious free iftar. More than ever, during the month of Ramadan, we should be aware of the widening gap separating the super rich from the poor and remember this tradition reported by Abu Hanifah:

“There is not any believer who remains hungry, and abstains from the forbidden things and does not wrongfully consume the wealth of Muslims, except that Allah will feed him from the fruits of Heaven.”