Ramadan: A Festive Month of Unity for Muslims and Non-muslims Alike
- Reporter: Talya Aziz
- Edited by: Madalina Gilca
Vibrant lanterns light the streets, the smell of falafels for the pre-dawn suhoor meal fills the air, and the laughter of families echoes. Ramadan’s festive atmosphere fosters a sense of community and merriment, even for those who do not celebrate it religiously.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a time when the boundaries between cultural and religious identities may blur. In a predominantly Muslim country, this can pose challenges for Copts, who must balance integration into a pluralistic society with maintaining their distinct Coptic identity.
And yet, Coptic students at AUC, for example, find that Ramadan is a joyful time, look forward to being invited to iftar and suhoor, and embrace the sense of community.
“While I do sometimes feel like the odd one out, the message and overall atmosphere of Ramadan overshadows that feeling,” said Karma Michael, a film junior.
Surrounded by traditions celebrated by a large portion of the country, many Copts choose to join the non-religious celebrations of Ramadan, relishing the positive atmosphere and sense of community that comes with breaking the fast.
Christopher Mansi, a mechanical engineering junior, explained that Ramadan feels festive because his fasting friends include him in their iftar dinners and suhoor gatherings.
“These interactions reflect the shared cultural fabric of Egypt,” said Christine Habib, an Entrepreneurship and Innovation senior lecturer at Leeds Trinity University.
“It’s an example of how religious traditions can transcend their origins and become part of a broader societal experience.”
She said that Ramadan has become more than just a religious observance; it’s a national event, embedded in Egyptian culture, shaping how all Egyptians, Muslims and Copts alike, experience this time of the year.
Habib specializes in exploring the experiences of inclusion, adaptation, and resilience of marginalized communities in different socio-economic contexts. She noticed that Copts usually engage in selective participation in Ramadan, embracing certain festive aspects without compromising their religious identity.
The ways in which Copts choose to integrate themselves during Ramadan vary, ranging from hosting their own suhoor and iftar gatherings with friends to putting up decorations in their homes.
“Part of being Coptic is the blend of cultures. You learn to adapt and appreciate all the traditions around you and integrate them into your life,” said Evonne Tadros, a retired hematologist who found herself enjoying Ramadan festivities more throughout the years.
According to scholar of Eastern Christianity Samuel Rubenson, the blend of cultures among Copts began in the mid-tenth century. After the Arab conquest in the seventh century, Coptic remained the official language of the church until the tenth century, when it was replaced by Arabic. To this day, Coptic prayers and masses consist of a balance between Coptic and Arabic phrases.
This year’s Ramadan specifically showcases Egypt’s cultural diversity, as Copts are currently fasting for Lent leading up to Easter, blending both religions in a harmonious celebration.
According to the Saint Takla Organization, which documents and provides information on Coptic heritage, the Great Lent is more than abstaining from meat and dairy, it also includes intermittent fasting where each person tries to eat at the latest possible time they can. Lent and Ramadan coinciding showcases many of the positive aspects of pluralistic societies.
“They also experience moments where their difference becomes more visible. This is not necessarily a source of conflict, but it does highlight how interfaith relations are shaped by moments of inclusion and separation,” added Habib.
Intertwining Ramadan’s traditions with everyday life can present challenges for those who do not participate in the religious aspect. Since demand is usually low before iftar, some restaurants and shops decide to limit their operating hours.
“During Ramadan, I often find myself wanting a meal at university, only to find that some restaurants are closed or have very limited food options,” said Nathalie Nael, a Coptic student at Coventry University in the New Capital.
When they do eat in public, Copts might feel a sense of guilt and isolation, even though those who are fasting do not necessarily expect them to refrain.
“Sometimes I would like to eat or drink during the day but I feel uncomfortable doing that around people who are fasting,” said Mansi.
Habib explains that while Copts and others who do not observe the fast are not required to follow its religious obligations, there is often an unspoken expectation to be discreet when eating or drinking in public.
“[It’s] a norm that varies depending on social class, geographic location, and specific community dynamics,” she said.
Nevertheless, the sense of community for all Egyptians is quite acute during Ramadan. AUC students observing the fast who were interviewed by The Caravan agreed it is important to include them in certain celebrations.
“We all know that Ramadan takes over the streets and lives of all Egyptians and you can’t really escape it, so leaving out Christians from these celebrations would be unfair as they can’t escape it either,” said Gannahallah Waleed, another student at Coventry University who is fasting this month. She advocates for the inclusion of Copts in all communities.
While some aspects of religious holidays remain distinct and separate, they nonetheless have become a wider reflection of Egypt’s shared cultural fabric.
“Similar to Christians being invited to suhoor and iftar gatherings, Muslims also participate in some traditions from Christmas, such as Secret Santa or occasionally decorating our houses with Christmas trees,” says Lara Hanafy, a business junior.
She says that while traditional Islamic rituals and prayers don’t include Copts, the cultural heritage often found in iftar and suhoor have thrived as inclusive traditions.
