RELIGION/RAMADAN-LEBANON EVENT Lebanon welcomes start of Ramadan with festive parade

Record ID: 151624

  • Title: RELIGION/RAMADAN-LEBANON EVENT Lebanon welcomes start of Ramadan with festive parade
  • Date: 17th June 2015
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WATCHING CHILDREN DANCING ON STAGE
  • Embargoed: 2nd July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lebanon
  • Country: Lebanon
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAEPXWMCB6QRC9XTXE5PB1WDCEF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Celebrations in Lebanon's capital, Beirut, welcome in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
    The event in Beirut called 'Marhaban Ya Ramadan' (Welcome Ramadan) is organised by one of the city's biggest charities, the Muslim orphanage, Dar Al-Aytam.
    Every year the charity organises a pre-Ramadan event, an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate.
    Fawzi Abou Diab is a one of the representatives from the charity.
    " 'Marhaban Ya Ramadan' (Arabic for 'Welcome Ramadan') convoy is an annual tradition social welfare institutions have kept to celebrate the coming of the holy month, to spread joy and love, and to pay tribute to the people of Beirut - all through a march in the streets in which there are models about environment in Lebanon, diversity in Lebanon and green, castles and national heritage in Lebanon," said Abou Diab.
    Decorated floats drove through the city, and children entertained the crowds with singing and dancing.
    "Every year, a Ramadan campaign starts with a new slogan and its convoys start in Beirut and all Lebanese areas where branches (of Dar Al-Aytam) are present. This year, our slogan is 'We are keeping the treasure and we are continuing with goodness'," said the charity's Public Relations director Rania Zantout.
    Among those taking part in the festivities are children from the orphanage, one of the children is Faten Khalil, who said she wished everyone a very happy Ramadan.
    "I came here to welcome the holy month of Ramadan with the people hoping it will be good at its beginning, its middle and its end. And may it be a Happy Ramadan for them," she said.
    Muslims world-wide observe Ramadan, during which many abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours.
    But it is also a month where many families come together to join in evening after meals and it's also an occasion for Muslims around the world to perform acts of kindness and charity.
    One Lebanese man, Ahmad Mazrouk, helping out at the event, said it's important to return to the true spirit of Ramadan, and to give the children here something fun to focus on rather than on the conflict and destruction in the region.
    "It is important to remind our children in Ramadan and its joy, because all what we are doing lately is listening to news, politics, clashes, crimes and sectarianism. We should take them back to the Ramadan of peace, blessing and safety; Lebanon has always been about seasons of joy and happiness," he said.
    Dozens of children took part in the event in Beirut on Monday (June 15).
    Ramadan is due to begin on Thursday (June 18).
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