The Center for Arab-West Understanding is wishing all our Muslim friends, in Egypt and abroad, our warmest congratulations and blessings on the occasion of the advent of the month of Ramadan which begins today.

Life in Egypt will be different for the month to come. Official working hours reduce from eight to seven hours per day. Production will decrease. A lawyer we are working with even stated not to expect any production in his work during Ramadan because it is a month in which completing official paperwork is more difficult than usual.

For some, it is a month of charity. Tables are set up to provide the poor with a month long supply of food. For others, it is a month of spirituality and prayer. Two years ago, Omar Ali interviewed American Sufi Muslim Abdallah Schleifer about Ramadan and spirituality.

One of our past American interns, Weston Bland, a Christian, once fasted during Ramadan in order to experience what it really means to observe the holiday. He wrote about his experiences for an Arab-West Report article.

The differences in atmosphere between Egypt and Western countries could not be greater during this month. In Egypt the festive sphere of Ramadan is seen in each corner of the street, whereas in the West, Ramadan is, in the public sphere, a month like any other month. Even though Ramadan is less visible in the West, do not forget to wish your Muslim friends a blessed Ramadan.

June 6, 2016

Cornelis Hulsman

Deputy Chairman Center for Arab-West Understanding