[cs_content][cs_section bg_color=”rgb(136, 134, 134)” parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_inset=”0px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_inset=”0px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column bg_color=”rgb(136, 134, 134)” fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ class=”cs-ta-center” style=”padding: 0px;”][x_gap size=”50px”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-center”]
Throughout the Arab world, there is not a holier or more cherished month than that of Ramadan. The season is marked by fasting, charity, and more focused time on prayer and religious reflection and time with family. In the Middle East, Ramadan impacts society and its government as a whole. Life as it is practically lived day in and day out becomes a whole new world, so to speak. The following series of six photographs taken in Amman, Jordan, seek to capture the spirit of this special month.
A typically busy street in the west side of Amman is empty and quiet in the mornings during Ramadan. Work hours in many businesses often differ during the month to help accommodate for fasting during the day and gathering with family and friends at night.
Many restaurants and other businesses are closed during the day because of fasting. Some even make renovations and updates to their buildings during the month of Ramadan.
Sunset, known as “Meghrib” in the Arab world, is a much anticipated time as families and friends gather to break fast at the end of the day. This meal is called “Iftar,” and the celebration can last late into the night.
A date, known as “tamir,” is traditionally the first food eaten to break fast after sunset. It is said that the prophet Muhammad broke his fast in the same way.
Much like Christmas lights in the U.S. to celebrate the season, many houses and businesses will decorate their buildings during Ramadan. The twinkling lights illuminate the streets at night while people are still out--often until very early in the morning.
The mosques all around town will call for prayer five times per day. Known as “The Adhan,” the first call to prayer at daybreak signals the beginning of fasting hours, and the fourth call at sunset signals the end. The mosques are typically the most full for the fifth and final prayer time after the people have broken fast in their homes or out at restaurants.
(Photos by CJ and Angela Womack)
[/cs_text][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;”][x_feature_box title=”RELATED STORIES” title_color=”” text_color=”” graphic=”icon” graphic_size=”60px” graphic_shape=”circle” graphic_color=”#ffffff” graphic_bg_color=”#495563″ align_h=”center” align_v=”top” side_graphic_spacing=”20px” max_width=”none” graphic_icon=”video-plus”][/x_feature_box][cs_block_grid type=”two-up”][cs_block_grid_item title=”Freed From Fighting”]
[/cs_block_grid_item][cs_block_grid_item title=”Footwork & Folklore”]
[/cs_block_grid_item][/cs_block_grid][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;”][cs_element_gap _id=”12″ ][x_button type=”transparent” shape=”rounded” size=”small” block=”false” circle=”false” icon_only=”false” href=”https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/stories-of-our-city/id309037929?mt=2″ title=”” target=”blank” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””]SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PODCAST[/x_button][cs_element_gap _id=”14″ ][cs_text class=”cs-ta-center”]© 2024 Stories of Our City[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]