Ramadan in Egypt: Muslims usher in holy month with colorful celebrations

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02:57

Now let's take a look at Ramadan in Egypt where Muslims are welcoming the holy month with colorful celebrations. CGTN's Adel el Mahrouky has more from Cairo.

ADEL EL MAHROUKY CAIRO "Strings of colored papers have been stretched all over the country, as Egyptians prepare to welcome Ramadan. For those who don't know it, it's like 30 days of celebrating Christmas."

Ahmed Salah is putting the final touches to his Ramadan lantern. It will decorate the entrance of the garage he works at.

His friends have come to help out, to them it's a joyful task, but more importantly, it's their present for the entire neighborhood to enjoy.

AHMED SALAH GIZA RESIDENT "Decorations are among Ramadan's must dos. I've been doing it here at my garage for five years and back at home since I was a kid. Back then the whole family would gather. Today I either buy ready-made decorations or If I have time, I gather my friends and we make them together, it's more fun. People then come to admire these decorations and take selfies here."

In Ramadan Muslims' fast is a deprivation from food and drinks from dawn till sunset. When they break their fast, it's usually a meal to share with relatives and friends.

MARWA ALI CAIRO RESIDENT "Everything in Ramadan is nice. Ramadan Sweets are the best. It's the month when we meet those who've been away for some time. It's the time where we put our disputes aside. Cook delicious meals and enjoy our company."

And an Egyptian house must be well decorated for these gatherings. It's why business for shop owners likes this one booms as the holy month approaches.

AHMED SHAHIN LIGHTING EQUIPMENT SHOPOWNER "I've inherited this job from my grandfather, which he started in 1948. Ramadan is the best month in the year. It's full of work and sales. These decorations are how people enjoy this month."

AMR NAGY ALEXANDRIA RESIDENT "I try to preserve the Ramadan spirit I have been raised on. So I get a lot of decorations and set up lights like these in my Garden. All my family enjoys it, and they wait for it every year."

In Ramadan Cairo gets busier at night.

AMR SALAH GIZA RESIDENT "I love Ramadan outings. They start after midnight. Usually with friends. We go to old Cairo and enjoy outdoors celebrations that are held in these neighborhoods."

From sunset till dawn, this is the time people enjoy the most before they start their fast the next day. The Egyptian capital never sleeps in Ramadan it becomes livelier than ever.

Adel EL Mahrouky, CGTN, Cairo.