SUDAN: Khartoum comes alive at night as Muslims breaking their fast, come out to feast and listen to music

Record ID: 437060

  • Title: SUDAN: Khartoum comes alive at night as Muslims breaking their fast, come out to feast and listen to music
  • Date: 27th July 2012
  • Summary: MORE OF BAND PLAYING AT RESTAURANT
  • Embargoed: 11th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Sudan
  • Country: Sudan
  • Topics: Arts,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA966E5VLDR3F5IK2S16CV4MKKP
  • Story Text: Sharing a meal with friends, these Sudanese are breaking their fast at the up market Al-Saha restaurant in the capital Khartoum.
    Specializing in Lebanese cuisine, Al-Saha is a real treat for Ramadan, when meat, spices and sweet delicacies are prepared for an elaborate Iftar, the meal enjoyed in the evenings after fasting all day.
    Companies often sponsor all expense paid dinners for their employees at restaurants like this one.
    "We came here as part of an office social activity. Our company organizes an annual Iftar for its staff members and their families. We came here with our loved ones, we chose this place ourselves, for Iftar," said Nazar Mustafa, a Khartoum resident on a company dinner at Al-Saha.
    "Sudanese generosity and hospitality is reflected many ways. It is normal to find one Sudanese person inviting 10 or 15 of his friends to share in their Ramadan meal," said Al-Saha Manager, Ahmed Shamas.
    On the other side of town, residents enjoy the cool breeze flowing in from the River Nile, others drink sweet tea and play cards along the city's Nile avenue.
    Demand for imported food items needed for Ramadan meals, such as sugar used for special juices and sweets, has knocked down the Sudanese pound close to an historic low.
    But while anger over high food prices and an economic downturn cloud this year's holy month, these Sudanese say they are taking time to enjoy the simple things.
    "During Ramadan, we come here for the fresh air. We also come here to drink coffee and we enjoy playing cards and dominoes or riding the horse pulled carts. It is a good time for friends to meet in an open area," said Omer Al-Faruq.
    Prices usually go up in Ramadan but this year they add to an inflation rate of 37.2 percent, more than double a year ago.
    For some, Ramadan brings with it a welcome windfall.
    "During Ramadan business is good. People like taking rides on the horse drawn cart. We make more money during Ramadan," said Ahmed Mahmoud who owns a horse drawn cart that makes the rounds on the busy Nile avenue.
    At another up market restaurant, customers enjoy soothing music after their evening meals and prayers.
    Muna Majdi and her band Ishraga, belt out the tunes of famous Lebanese singer, Fairouz. Ramadan is a busy time for Ishraga but with the economy as harsh as it is, they are happy for the increased income.
    "For us as musicians, Ramadan is a good chance to perform our songs to an audience. After people finish the spiritual part of Ramadan and after Taraweeh prayers at around 11:00PM, they go to restaurants and hotels to listen to local and foreign music," Husam Abdul Salam, a member of the band.
    Sudan lost much of its oil resources when South Sudan seceded a year ago, exacerbating an economic crisis and depriving the state of its main source of revenues and dollars.
    An austerity programme that included scaling back fuel subsidies has sparked small-scale protests that began four weeks ago.
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