It’s that time of year again, and Egyptians, like Muslims around the world, have been preparing for the start of the holy month on Monday. As a relative alien to the historical and cultural aspects of Ramadan, it has been fascinating to talk to Egyptians young and old, hip and traditional – and all those in between – about the importance of the month, how they have been gearing up for it and what to expect. El-Fanous Perhaps the most obvious change in the last couple of months has been the emergence of these beautiful Ramadan lanterns. The legend goes that on the fifth day of Ramadan in the year 358 AH (969 AD), the Fatimid Caliph Muezz El-Din El-Allah was entering Cairo for the first time. He arrived after dusk, and the residents appeared en masse with lanterns to welcome him and celebrate his arrival. Since that day, the fanous has become one of Ramadan’s great symbols for Egyptians. They come in all sizes and in different colors. From walls of them in shops to big solitary ones used as décor in people’s homes, and even little children playing…
