Ramadan, which starts end of March in 2023, is a month-long festival that falls in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the time when Muslims all around the world fast during daylight hours every day.
If you are travelling to Fez during this time, it offers a chance to see a different, authentic side of life in Islamic countries The fast begins early morning after Suhoor (the meal taken just before dawn) and ends with Iftar – the meal taken after the sunset (Maghrib) prayer. For Iftar, family and friends gather in homes to celebrate, and a wide variety of sweet and savoury dishes and delicious desserts are prepared.
Restaurants are busy and often have special dishes. Iftar parties and gatherings are frequently arranged where people break the fast together, and special arrangements are made in mosques, where free meals are offered to diners for them to break the fast. If you are invited for Iftar celebrations, bring a small (food) gift for your hosts.
Ramadan is an incredibly important, sacred and religious time for Muslims, so visiting Morocco will be a totally different cultural experience. For a real treat, plan your visit for the end of the month so you can witness and participate in Eid Al-Fitr, the three-day closing celebration that marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the most joyous holidays of the year. Some basic knowledge about this special tradition will help to make your experience a fascinating one.
Tourists aren’t under the same obligation to fast. If a restaurant is open for lunch, then, clearly, it’s expected that you will eat (though the shades may be drawn so locals do not see food being consumed). However, it would be rude to eat a sandwich on the street or drink water in front of your fasting guide during a tour. And as staff will tire in the heat particularly during the later afternoon and early evening, it is good to be patient and show tolerance during this time.
Join us during the month of Ramadan for a Ftour feast and Learn more about this Islamic and cultural tradition.
