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Ammon News - by Muath Freij | The Jordan Times

AMMAN — For Jordanians, the holy month of Ramadan is a special occasion that carries with it a number of rituals specific to each individual.

Besides the must-have decorations like illuminated crescents and lanterns, and traditional Ramadan sweets such as qatayef, some find in the fasting month a purely spiritual opportunity to strengthen their faith.

Saif Awamleh, an employee at a private company, said Ramadan provides him with a chance to pray more.

“Your wishes come true in Ramadan, because it is a scared month. I also go to the mosque to perform taraweeh, the special Ramadan evening prayers, in the mosque,” he told The Jordan Times on Tuesday.

Awamleh noted that he also likes donating to the poor during Ramadan.

“The holy month reminds us of underprivileged families, so it is really good to help them as much as possible,” added Awamleh, who has one son.

In Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset, breaking their fast after maghrib prayers with the iftar meal.

For Sanad Abu Assaf, the founder of voluntary group Spirit of Jordan, the month gives him the opportunity to hold several charitable iftar dinners for those in need.

“We will hold around four iftar banquets for orphans,” he said.

Ramadan is also a month to get together with extended family, according to Abu Assaf, who noted that his family always invites relatives for iftar.

“We usually have iftar with each other especially in the first few days,” the 26-year-old said.

Retiree Omar Silwani said he will spend most of the day shopping in downtown Amman.

“My family likes having juice and sweets during Ramadan,” he noted.

Although Awamleh wants to focus on prayer, he said the fasting month also provides an opportunity to spend time with friends and unwind after 15 hours of fasting, noting that the Ramadan nightlife in Amman is unique.

“My friends and I will spend some time in cafés smoking argileh and playing cards. We will be able to stay up late as the working hours will be different from other days,” he added.

Sami Faouri, however, prefers to stay at home and watch the Egyptian and Syrian soap operas that have become a staple feature of the holy month.

“Every year, Arab TV channels broadcast really good serials during Ramadan, so I will make sure not to miss any of them,” the private sector employee told The Jordan Times.

But for others, Ramadan means an extra load of work.

Hussam Manasrah, a tailor, said he is extremely busy during Ramadan as his working hours increase.

“My customers want to have their clothes made as quickly as possible in time for Eid Al Fitr [the Muslim feast marking the end of the fasting season],” the father of three added.