Ramadan in Morocco: a Holy Month

I.      What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is one of the five pillars of Islam. During this month, Muslims who have reached puberty adults can’t eat, drink or have sexual relations from sunrise to sunset. The person sick, a women pregnant or menstruating, or any person health is not good should not fast. This holy month makes Muslims learn patience, humility and spirituality.
The end of this month is with the Aid al-Fitr, the feast of breaking the fast. This is the first day of the month in the Muslim calendar: In Morocco is one of the most anticipated times of the year; here we are happy to fast. Every Muslim who has made a “perfect” Ramadan can see all their sins erased as shown in this religious quote (among Muslims) “When Ramadan comes, the Gates of Heaven are Opened, The Gates of Hell are closed and the Devil are chained, and anyone going to enter paradise.”

 It is a holy month for all Muslims here during this month lifestyle changes. This youth is also very beneficial in terms of health, something scientifically proven.

II.     Practice during Ramadan

A.    Religious and cultural aspect

Ramadan is a very religious month. Muslims are expected to fast but also read all the Coran. They must also develop the habit of praying (even after this month). Taraweh prayers are performed after the last normal prayer. They don’t have to practice it  but it is strongly recommended. During these prayers, the Coran is read at high road during all the month. 

This is a month of Giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special food and buy gifts for family and friends, for the poor and needy who can’t afford it; they also buy new clothes. 

In Muslim countries, if someone (a muslim) doesn’t fast, it's considered an action that will take him to court. The others can eat of course but not in public.

Here is what people commemorate: ( from Wikipedia)

     * 2 Ramadan: Revelation Of The Torah to Moses (the Shia tradition)
     *10 Ramadan: death of Khadija, Muhammad's first wife
     *12 Ramadan: Revelation Of The Gospel Of Jesus (tradition of Shi'ism)
     *15 Ramadan: Birth of Imam Hassan bin Ali
     *17 Ramadan Muslims'victory at the Battle of Badr
     *18 Ramadan: Revelation of the Book of Psalms to David (tradition of Shi'ism)
     *19 Ramadan: The Caliph Ali knocked On the head by a sword
     *21 Ramadan: death of Caliph Ali as a result of His Injuries
     *23 Ramadan: Revelation Of The Quran to Muhammad (Shi'ite tradition)

The most important day is  Laylat Al Qadr, one day awaited by everyone and the most sacred of the year. This is the day when the Coran came to the Muslims from Allah. To meet this, the Muslims prepare special dishes but also pray until dawn. But Ramadan has also an economic aspect...

B.    Economic Aspect

Ramadan leads to a significant increase in expenditure of a family. Moroccans spend an average of 4080 dhs per month in total expenditure including food transport ... but during this holy month, these monthly expenditure pass to 4480 dhs. However, this increase in spending during the month differs by region in Morocco. In cities the increase is 5 percent and in rural areas the increase is 3 times higher than in cities, near 15 percent.

Ramadan affects the structure of the total budget. The food budget is very large (nearly 50%) and various foods are more consumed during this holy month. Dairy products, eggs, meat, fish and legumes are the foods which are most consumed. 

For example, a family consumes 21.6 litters of milk during Ramadan cons 15.8 litters for the rest of the year! 

We can also note that the budget spent on meals and drinks to the outside decreases sharply reflecting the image of family unity during this holy month.

 By Anas Neba, Younes Matrougi, Karim Bennani and Abdellah Goutline.