BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Up to 2,500 meals were distributed to thousands of faithful in downtown Algiers attending the “Mega Iftar” organized by the local government, as part of an initiative to encourage solidarity during Ramadan.
The Iftar, is the breaking of the fast after sunset, during the holy month.
“The idea is that these families can gather around the table and participate in Ramadan, as part of solidarity and rapprochement,” said Maahdia Benghali, president of the local assembly of downtown Algiers area, that participated in the organization of the event.
The organization of the mega Iftar was widely welcomed by the attendees following years of suspension due to Covid-19 pandemic.
“We see that people are really happy and it is not just for the meal but for meeting with others,” said Hanane Kacem, a civil society activist attending the Mega Iftar.
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar, and one of the Five Pillars of Islam, during which Muslims observe a period of fasting and reflection to commemorate the first revelation of the Holy Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
According to Islamic tradition, Allah Almighty revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) the Holy Qur’an, Islam’s holy book, during the month of Ramadan on Laylat al-Qadr — the “Night of Power”. To mark the significance of this event, Muslims observe the holy month each year through fasting, prayer, and the practice of faithful acts and charity.
One of the main rituals of Islam, fasting, is obligatory for all Muslims except the sick, pregnant women and some travelers. During menstruation and up to forty days after childbirth, women are also exempt from fasting. However, the missing days must be made up before the next Ramadan, once health has been restored or travel has ended. Finally, fasting is only compulsory from the age of puberty. However, most observant Muslims encourage their children to practice occasional fasting long before they reach this age.
The beginning and end of Ramadan change every year as it’s based on the Islamic lunar calendar and the moon cycles. The start of Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the new crescent moon.
The Holy month of Ramadan is a guidance to be thanked for regarding its disciplinary virtues. While fasting, Muslims, whether pious or sinful, learned or layman, rich or poor, intentionally restrain from the unhealthy norms by practicing restrictions, self-discipline and gratifying the immediate desires and needs. Following the Quranic teachings in this sense, believers would, inevitably, learn to curb their illicit desires, bring out selfish impulses and keep a check against extravagance and transgression that yield for the low level of desires which degenerate a person while bringing him to the bottom line of self-destruction and extinction. In addition, fasting nurtures a strong will, instilling the ability to bear any hardship, hunger, and thirst. The Quranic self-disciplined approach in Ramadan intervenes to inculcate patience, forbearance and perseverance. Ramadan also develops sympathy and empathy for the needy people and one can have a tiny bit of experience about feelings of others, establishing mutual understanding, harmony and brotherhood among all including rich and poor.
The auspicious month of Ramadan is greatly welcomed here in Algeria where past customs have been practiced for generations. This month symbolizes enjoyment and happiness and a great opportunity for repentance and worship.
Close eye on ‘Sidna Ramadan‘ “Our Master Ramadan” in Algeria: Traditions, customs and food
Algerians differ in the way they prepare for and celebrate the Holy month of Ramadan. Most people, however, make it an occasion of family unity, service to society and supporting one another.
Pre-Ramadan:
Religious practice, like fasting during the day and praying during the night, is common weeks before Ramadan. For women, however, the preparations are not strictly religious; setting up the house to receive guests during the month – a tradition for decades – is a must.
Before Ramadan, women take the responsibility of cleaning the house. Some women go to the extreme of totally making over the whole house; refurbishing and painting.
Algerian women usually buy new cooking utensils, which will be used in cooking the heavy meals and big banquets, and purchase new dishes.
“I am used to preparing for the holy month of Ramadan by first cleaning the house, then taking care of household matters and buying all new for the kitchen, especially dishes,” says Sajiyya, a housewife in her late thirties.
But it is not only her home that Sajiyya takes care of.
“My family also helps me in washing the carpets and the mats of the district mosque. We volunteer.”
Such preparations for Ramadan – taking care of mosques – are considered first and foremost spiritual; however, cleaning mosques is also the responsibility of the state during Ramadan.
The Algerian people wait for Ramadan with a great deal of anticipation. Ramadan is set apart from all the other months to the extent that over there it is given the “honourable title of ‘Sidna Ramadan‘”. Sidna meaning our owner or master.
As regards meals consumed by the Algerians during the month of Ramadan, Chorba (soup), bourek (a kind of samosa) and salad are the basic requirements, along with a ‘jew-ez’ which is a stew type of dish, and ‘laham lahalou’ which translates into ‘sweet meat’ and consists of prunes, sultanas, apricots cooked in a syrup along with meat, although a lot of people nowadays dispense with the meat altogether. Then there is the ‘kalb el louz’ (heart of the almond) which is an almond based sponge like cake steeped in syrup, and ‘zalabia’ (Jalebi) which is flour based batter deep fried in rings and dripping in syrup.
In Algeria, Coriander, mint and sparsely are the main product of the Algerian cuisine and essential ingredients for bourak and chorba which is considered the main entrance to a Ramadan meal. Thus, young children take the opportunity of selling it during this holy month.
Breaking fast, cooking at home, choice of food and other traditions…
Following the prophet’s tradition of breaking the fast, in Algeria it is done with milk and dates, then once Maghreb (sunset) prayer is over, the array of delectable food is served, where the family gathers and eats together.
After Tarawih (evening) prayer, families gather and enjoy green mint tea along with traditional delicacies, usually very rich in honey and nuts such as baklawa, ktayefs.
Other desserts that are usually had at this time include mhancha, zalabya, makroud, kalbellouz, halwet tourk, halkoum, just to name a few.
In Ramadan, Algeria becomes thousand and one night in the evening. Almost every evening after the Iftar, cultural and public events during Ramadan are organized, thus, breaking the monotony of the rest of the year. All the Algerian provinces vibrate the evenings of Ramadan through concerts, theater, cafes and malls until dawn.
During the last days of Ramadan, people in Algeria get prepared for the festive day of Eid Al Fitr, which is one of the annual festivals celebrated by Muslims. This joyous day is intended to serve as a sign of gratitude by the Muslims on the accomplishment of Ramadan and as an immediate reward by Allah for those who spent the month of Ramadan in fasting and performing other forms of ritual worship, Muslimvillage reported.
During the last week, Algerians buy new clothes, accessories for themselves, their families as well as their religion’s brothers who are poor and less fortunate. Besides, they prepare sweets to please children.
Happy Ramadan
