How Different Are Ramadan Traditions Around the World?


Ramadan is a worldwide celebrated month among many nations, especially the Islamic and Arabian countries. Its traditions are widely different, and knowing Ramadan traditions around the world is critical when it comes to localization as you need to know your audience and talk to them in a language they relate to.
Translation and localization play a great role in the celebration of Ramadan, as it help people from different linguistic backgrounds. There is more than two billion Muslims worldwide, according to World Population Review and they are not only speak Arabic, but languages that include Mandarin, Hindi, Bengali, Spanish, French and English.
Let's find out the culture differences and Ramadan traditions in these regions.

Ramadan Traditions Around the World, How Distinguishable Is It?

We're taking you on a trip from MENA to various nations and counties to see the beauty of the Ramadan traditions in the locals' eyes, in which you will see the love and appreciation they have for the traditions and, of course, the holy month.

Ramadan Traditions in the UAE

Let's take a look at Ramadan in the UAE. Its traditions are so familiar with Ramadan traditions around the world. UAE has a significant old event called "Haq Al Laila" that happens every year. It starts in the middle of Shaaban, the month before Ramadan, when children wear their best traditional clothes and get their traditional bags to visit every house in the neighborhood, singing cheerful songs in a loud and beautiful way. One of the songs Haq Al Laila is famous for saying, "A'touna Allah Ya'tikum, Bait Makkah Yedikum," which means give us and Allah will reward you, he will bless you with a visit to his holly house in Makkah.


Ramadan Traditions in Egypt

Egypt dominates Ramadan traditions around the world. As a country, Ramadan in Egypt is very authentic. The vibes in the street, the food, and the TV shows, not to mention the pure souls all around the roads, are vital keys in Ramadan. What differentiates Egypt traditions among other Ramadan traditions around the world are the colorful decorations, especially the Fanous, which all the Egyptians use to greet the holy month of Ramadan.

Fanous or lantern has some fantastic stories behind it. Back to the Fatimid Caliphate, when Almouiz Ledeen Allah arrived from Morocco to Cairo streets at night, the Egyptians welcomed him holding these lights on all the roads. Since then, the Egyptians have used it during Ramadan, becoming a symbol for the month.

Also, Al Mesaharaty, a man who goes around each area, calls the families and children by their names to wake them up for Suhur, the meal Muslims start fasting with.


Ramdan Traditions in Morocco

Ramadan in Morocco is more local because of these unique traditions its citizens add. Moroccans use traditional customs and a great collection of food such as Harira, Tanjia Marrakchia, and Rfissa.

Moroccans have their traditional clothes that they wear during Ramadan. Men wear Djubba Gandoura in different colors, sometimes they wear it going to pray, and women have different types of clothes, but the most famous one and their Favorite is Kaftan.


Ramadan Traditions in Indonesia

Indonesia participates differently in Ramadan traditions around the world, spiritually and purely; Indonesians have a tradition called Padusan. They gather before the holy month of Ramadan starts; they bathe and clean their bodies in the natural waterfalls, springs, or any holy or sacred water. Indonesians believe this tradition is purifying, which is precisely what they need to start the holy month correctly.

One of the other Ramadan traditions in Indonesia is called Nyadran. Families gather in tombs and graveyards to pray for their loved family members who left. They go to these areas with big baskets full of food and fruits to share later with everyone. The harmony and serenity represent the soul of Ramadan and the brotherhood of all there.


Ramadan Traditions in Lebanon

Lebanon has its own Ramadan traditions that were adopted and developed and are now famous for among other countries. One of these traditions is Midfa Al Iftar or Iftar Cannon which is used till today. Midfa Al Iftar is well-known in the Middle East, but Lebanon made particular canons for Iftar to announce the end of the fasting period daily.

What Is Common About Ramadan Traditions Around the World?

Ramadan traditions are similar and very different at the same time. We’ve discussed what distinguishes each country from another. But there are huge similarities between all of them. Here is a list:

Ramadan is a time of giving. That is why you will find so many people doing charity work, cooking food for people in need, and giving what they love the most.

Family & quality time. Ramadan is when all gather to spend time for Iftar and later for prayer, playing, and talking together.

Muslims pray the Tarawih prayer, a special prayer for Ramadan and a way of getting closer to Allah. 

Ramadan Food is mouth-watering. Muslims use dates as their Sunnah, “a habit made by the prophet,” drink lots of liquids at Iftar time, and every country’s cuisine on the table to enjoy with family and loved ones.

Encouraging kids and teaching them about the holy month. Grandparents and the seniors in the family love to teach the kids about Ramadan and its practices.

People play more games. According to research conducted by adcolony and GWI found that 50% of respondents in KSA spend 1-3 hours online on their smartphones, and 48% of them say they spend 30 minutes to 2 hours playing mobile games daily during the holy month.


What Is the Importance of Knowing Ramadan Traditions Around the World?

Localization requires knowing the traditions of each country. Since that everything is different in Ramadan, of course, this will impact the localization of your business or product.

Knowing those traditions and localizing your business through them will create a unique relationship between you and your customer; they will relate to your product more and keep using it.

How Knowing Ramadan Traditions Around the World helped in Brand Localization?

Is your audience celebrating Ramadan worldwide? If the answer is “Yes,” then brand localization is indispensable for your business.

So many international brands celebrate Ramadan with their customers and localize their services or products to fit the audience’s needs.

Here are three examples of brand localization for Ramadan:

1. BVLGARI: In honor of the holy month of 2022, BVLGARI created a localized ad targeting women in the Gulf area. the ad showed the beauty of Ramadan traditions and the nature of the city during the holy month.

2. Cartier: The very famous brand did the same last year. They took over the UAE market with an ad full of Ramadan symbols, Arabic fonts, and of course, the vibes of the month.

3. Coca-Cola: The brand uses the company of others in its ads. For Ramadan, they made a great advertisement showing the nature of Ramadan in Egypt and the spirit of the citizens during it.

Knowing Ramadan traditions around the world is essential for the localization of your business, as they will connect you quickly with your audience and reward you with the profits you're looking for in the market.

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