Damascus Iftar
By Denman
16 Oct 2008
Ramadan is the holy period for Muslims all around the world, it is the period where they fast from sunrise to sunset, for many it is magical yet challenging times where God (Allah) helps them maintain self control.
As an observer rather than a partaker it is a whole other world full of questions and curiosity.
I was lucky enough to be in Damascus to experience the first week of Ramadan this year, which started on the 1st September 2008.
You are woken up by the drumming boy at 4am reminding you to eat and drink before sunrise. As he roams the streets with his drum there is no chance you sleeping through that last feast. After the feast and the Morning Prayer the city is filled with a solemn mood for the rest of the day as in the scorching heat of summer nobody wants to exert any extra energy. Every minute their mouth becomes that much dryer and resisting water becomes that much harder.
The days seem long and hard, but when they hear the echoing boom of the canon set off from the mountain, you can hear and see the city sigh with relief, as they can now eat and drink once again. As everybody is feasting the streets are empty; this period is called Iftar.
For me this is the time the city is at its most beautiful, it's a ghost town on the outside, but buzzing with life inside every shelter, be it a house, a shack or a market stand. After the first hour people start to relax, they start to lounge around, clear up the mess from the manic feasting and then prepare for the next day where exactly the same will happen again.
4 responses
-
Tomi Satryatomo gave props (16 Oct 2008):
Thanks for sharing the interesting story and photos
-
Chessaddict * gave props (10 Jan 2009):
Nice captures and a good story... :)
-
Ebla Maleh gave props (17 Feb 2009):
great captures and nicely documented
-
Jamie Emmerson gave props (25 Apr 2009):
This is brilliant too. Gives a real feeling of nostalgia!
