I am a dutch filmmaker and I'm going to do some research for a film in Cairo in november/december. It will be in the ramadan time and unfortunately I have no experience with ramadan in Egypt. Who can tell me about his/her experiences? What can I ask from the people I'm going to work with in Cairo and what definetly not. What will be the difference on schools, universities and other public institutions? What will be the difference in daily life on the streets, in shops, in the families, how does life of normal people look like in Cairo during ramadan? I do know Cairo a little bit but almost nothing about the way religious matters are celebrated. Please reply to sab...@antenna.nl
For one thing, people are crankier than they usually are due to hunger. Shops can close in unusual times and streets after worktime and late noon the city dies as the majority (muslims) eat for the first time in the day.
"sabine konig" <sab...@antenna.nl> wrote in message
> I am a dutch filmmaker and I'm going to do some research for a film in > Cairo in november/december. It will be in the ramadan time and > unfortunately I have no experience with ramadan in Egypt. Who can tell > me about his/her experiences? What can I ask from the people I'm going > to work with in Cairo and what definetly not. What will be the > difference on schools, universities and other public institutions? What > will be the difference in daily life on the streets, in shops, in the > families, how does life of normal people look like in Cairo during > ramadan? I do know Cairo a little bit but almost nothing about the way > religious matters are celebrated. > Please reply to sab...@antenna.nl
- People usually wake up later in the morning, most gov't, public and private sector opens up later (around 10am) and work for shorter hours (till approx 2pm). - Because fasting in Ramadan calls for not eating or drinking from dawn till sun-set, people tend to work shorter hours. - Most of the city is very quiet about 1 hour before sun-set (the breakfast time) it's considered the most quiet time on Cairo streets - perfect time to drive :) - Most people eat breakfast at home for the first 10-15 days of Ramadan, later in the month, people tend to eat out. - Most cafes and restaurants are not open before sun-set, those that are open, usually close their doors (or keep them ajar). - It's not considered very courteous to eat or drink on the street before sun-set. - Alcohol is not commonly available during Ramadan, under certain circumstances a foreigner can purchase liquor at some hotels and restaurants. - One hour after 'fetar' (breakfast) the streets start to fill with people going to cafes, and traffic becomes a bit of an issue. - Many people go for some extra prayers (Taraweeh) before the last prayer of the day (Isha). - Ramadan's TV program line-up is usually the best of the year, and many people spend many hours glued to their TV sets. - Many people are up (filling the streets, cafes and restaurants) till 3-4 AM. - Many people become more irritated during the day, since they can't smoke or have coffee or tea for the whole day, others become more forgiving and tolerant since it's the month of peace and forgiveness; just try not to rub people the wrong way or expect them to do extra work during the day. - This year Ramadan comes in December, when the wheather is not as hot, and it's more tolerable in Cairo. - People great each other by saying : Ramadan Kareem (Which means Ramadan is generous)
I hope that helped.
Regards, Masri
"sabine konig" <sab...@antenna.nl> wrote in message
> I am a dutch filmmaker and I'm going to do some research for a film in > Cairo in november/december. It will be in the ramadan time and > unfortunately I have no experience with ramadan in Egypt. Who can tell > me about his/her experiences? What can I ask from the people I'm going > to work with in Cairo and what definetly not. What will be the > difference on schools, universities and other public institutions? What > will be the difference in daily life on the streets, in shops, in the > families, how does life of normal people look like in Cairo during > ramadan? I do know Cairo a little bit but almost nothing about the way > religious matters are celebrated. > Please reply to sab...@antenna.nl
I really appreciate your careful and informative posting. I tried to email you at the address listed above but with no success. Is that your real email address?
I plan to be in Egypt for 4 months, beginning shortly after Ramadan, to study Arabic and travel. If it is possible, I'd like to be able to contact you off-group.
> - People usually wake up later in the morning, most gov't, public and > private sector opens up later (around 10am) and work for shorter hours (till > approx 2pm). > - Because fasting in Ramadan calls for not eating or drinking from dawn till > sun-set, people tend to work shorter hours. > - Most of the city is very quiet about 1 hour before sun-set (the breakfast
I really appreciate your careful and informative posting. I tried to email you at the address listed above but with no success. Is that your real email address?
I plan to be in Egypt for 4 months, beginning shortly after Ramadan, to study Arabic and travel. If it is possible, I'd like to be able to contact you off-group.
> - People usually wake up later in the morning, most gov't, public and > private sector opens up later (around 10am) and work for shorter hours (till > approx 2pm). > - Because fasting in Ramadan calls for not eating or drinking from dawn till > sun-set, people tend to work shorter hours. > - Most of the city is very quiet about 1 hour before sun-set (the breakfast
> I really appreciate your careful and informative posting. I tried to email you > at the address listed above but with no success. Is that your real email > address?
> I plan to be in Egypt for 4 months, beginning shortly after Ramadan, to study > Arabic and travel. If it is possible, I'd like to be able to contact you > off-group.
> My email address is > iaminterlin...@hotmail.com
> Thanks
> Masri wrote:
> > Sabine,
> > Ramadan in Cairo is quite unique.
> > - People usually wake up later in the morning, most gov't, public and > > private sector opens up later (around 10am) and work for shorter hours (till > > approx 2pm). > > - Because fasting in Ramadan calls for not eating or drinking from dawn till > > sun-set, people tend to work shorter hours. > > - Most of the city is very quiet about 1 hour before sun-set (the breakfast
