EGYPT/WEST BANK/JERUSALEM: THE WORLD'S MOSLEM COMMUNITY IS PREPARING TO OBSERVE THE START OF THE SACRED FASTING MONTH RAMADAN

Record ID: 566037

  • Title: EGYPT/WEST BANK/JERUSALEM: THE WORLD'S MOSLEM COMMUNITY IS PREPARING TO OBSERVE THE START OF THE SACRED FASTING MONTH RAMADAN
  • Date: 7th January 1997
  • Summary: CAIRO,, EGYPT/ HEBRON, WEST BANK/ JERUSALEM (JANUARY 7, 8 AND 9, 1997) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) CAIRO, EGYPT (JANUARY 7-8, 1997) 1. SV SAYYDIA ZEINAB MOSQUE 0.07 2. SV/CU WORKER MAKING RAMADAN DELICACY, KATAIF (2 SHOTS) 0.18 3. CU WORKER MAKING ANOTHER RAMADAN DELICACY, KONAFA (2 SHOTS) 0.30 4. CU PEOPLE BUYING KONAFA 0.34 5. SV/CU LANTERNS FOR SALE (2 SHOTS) 0.48 6. CU MAN PUTTING LANTERN ON MOTORCYCLE 0.55 7. SLV ANOTHER MAND WALKING WITH LANTEN 0.59 8. SV MAN RIDING OFF WITH LANTERN ON THE BACK OF MOTORCYCLE 1.04 HEBRON, WEST BANK (JANUARY 9, 1997) 9. SV OF MARKET 1.09 10. SV PEOPLE MAKING KATAYEF PANCAKES 1.13 11. SLV SHEIKH INSIDE MOSQUE TEACHING ABOUT RAMADAN 1.19 12. CU OLD MAN LISTENING 1.25 13. MCU SHEIKH SAYING DURING RAMADAN PEOPLE DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR HAVE SEX (ARABIC)/ PEOPLE LISTENING 1.29 EAST JERUSALEM (JANUARY 9, 1997) 14. SV STALL-HOLDER SELLING DATES AND CRYING "RAMADAN, RAMADAN" (MOSLEMS EAT DATES DURING RAMADAN BECAUSE THE PROPHET MOHAMMAD USED TO BREAK HIS FAST WITH TWO DATES) 1.39 15. LV STALLS 1.43 16. CU DRIED FRUITS ON STALLS 1.48 17. SLV SHOP SELLING TRAYS OF BAKLAVA 1.52 18. SLV PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH OLD CITY MARKET 2.04 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 22nd January 1997 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: CAIRO, EGYPT/ HEBRON, WEST BANK/ JERUSALEM
  • City:
  • Country: AFRICA West Bank West Bank ASIA Jerusalem Jerusalem Egypt Israel MIDDLE EAST
  • Reuters ID: LVA9ROWA1A0I81C5ZMUCQ1UZS6JY
  • Story Text: INTRO: The world's Moslem community of a billion people in more than 50 countries is preparing to observe the start of the sacred fasting month Ramadan.

    In most Islamic countries, the month during which the faithful fast during daylight hours traditionally starts one day after the sighting of the new moon there. As a result, Ramadan usually starts on two or three different days in different countries.

    During Ramadan, Moslems who have reached puberty fulfil a religious obligation to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual relations during daylight hours. Fighting is also forbidden.

    Devout Moslems believe Ramadan trains them in spiritual discipline and the triumph of mind over matter.

    On Thursday, preparations for Ramadan were underway in Cairo, Egypt, where the fasting month will begin on Friday (January 10).

    Confectioners were working overtime to meet the increase in demand for oriental delicacies such as "kataif", small pancakes stuffed with nuts and raisins, and "konafa", vermicelli soaked in syrup.

    During Ramadan, Egyptians stay up late and work less during the day. Children enjoy the time of special celebration, which includes decorating streets with special lanterns of coloured glass and streamers.

    Government newspapers were full of assurances that foods of every kind will be in plentiful supply -- meat, poultry, fish, vegetables and especially yamish -- the dried fruits and nuts which are an essential part of the season.

    A special favourite is qamareddin -- pressed sheets of dried and heavily sugared apricot, used to make the drink with which Egyptians like to break the fast at the end of the day.

    In the West Bank town of Hebron, the Mufti announced Friday would also be the first day of Ramadan.

    After the Mufti made the announcement, markets in Hebron and Arab East Jerusalem were busy with people stocking up on supplies of meat and vegetables for the month. Many of the shops sold the special Ramadan sweet - Katayef - made of a sweet dough which is taken home and filled with nuts.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register