'This holy Muslim holiday is often seen as a time of hunger and sacrifice – but the truth couldn\'t be more different. It’s Christmas and Thanksgiving all rolled into one - a month-long celebration of family and faith – with plenty of comfort food thrown in. In Egypt, twice as many calories are consumed during Ramadan than any other month of the year. Muslims must fast for 30 days from dawn until dusk. During that time they must also abstain from drinking (including water), smoking, and sex – even when the holiday falls in the middle of Egypt’s scorching summer. It is one of the five Pillars of Islam – and over 95% of Egyptians observe it. • What is the point of fasting for an entire month? • Some Muslims are exempt. Why don’t they have to fast? • Why is it often compared to Christmas? Ramadan is a time of generosity. In every city, businessmen will pay for huge vats of food to be distributed for Iftar – the breaking of the fast each evening - to anyone who shows up. You don’t have to Muslim and you don’t have to be poor. Decorations are everywhere during Ramadan. Families go out to buy a new lantern each year – very much like the Christian Christmas tree. Colorful lights line tea houses and sidewalks. Special Ramadan comfort foods are sold on almost every corner and women work overtime to cook enormous meals each evening for friends and family. If you visit any Muslim country during Ramadan you will almost certainly be invited to break the fast with almost anyone you meet. Tune in for a new video every Thursday at 1145AM P.T from the far corners of our Human Planet! http://www.YouTube.com/OurHumanPlanet Download our complete 2-hour PBS documentary series on Egypt: http://www.japanlandonline.com/ Subscribe to OUR HUMAN PLANET: https://bit.ly/2V4LsRa #Travel #Adventure #Egypt LET’S CONNECT! • Say hi on FB: https://www.facebook.com/OurHumanPlanetCom/ • Give us a shout on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Our_HumanPlanet • Follow us behind the scenes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourhumanplanet/ Category: Travel'
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