Ikhbar.com: The small Ethiopian village of Aboker has brightly colored lights and banners hanging on the walls of the shops and houses. These are only a handful of the customs that represent the exuberance of the people living in the nation known as the “mother land” as the holy month of Ramadan approaches.
Furthermore, “Ramadan Mubarak” is sprayed over practically all television screen commercials to commemorate the arrival of Ramadan in Ethiopia.
One of the numerous Muslim ladies who reported having a positive experience fasting during Ramadan in Ethiopia is Amatillah Abdallah (19). Ramadan, according to her, is a time to consider one’s own observance and fortify the bonds within the community.
Every person appears to be attempting, from sunrise to sunset, to satisfy their religious duties, whether it is through prayer or other required ancillary acts of worship, all the while juggling the responsibilities of everyday existence.
“The true essence of Ramadan will emerge at dusk, when the call to prayer echoes in the air,” Abdallah stated on Thursday, March 21, 2024, to Ikhbar.com.
[Indonesian Version] Euforia Ramadan di Etiopia
The month of disclosure
Abdallah narrated how his family and friends would assemble around a dinner table laden with dates, fruits, and other treats when it was time to break the fast.
“This custom of sharing meals is called ‘ifthar’. Beyond familial bonds, Muslims welcome strangers and neighbors into their homes regardless of their differences in religion. It captures the attitude of hospitality and giving that characterizes Ramadan,” he remarked.
After breaking the fast, the student from Aboker Senior Secondary School also explained how the Tarawih prayer is said. Local Muslims typically perform two rak’ahs of the sunnah Bakdiyah Isha prayer after finishing the four rak’ahs of the Isha prayer, with the intention of commencing the Tarawih prayer afterward.
“After every four rak’ah interval, they do the first Tarawih for a little pause. They then do four more rak’ahs of Tarawih before stopping for a little rest, according to Abdallah.
Following that, every citizen might choose to finish the Tarawih Prayer after eight rak’ahs or to continue for a maximum of twenty rak’ahs. In both cases, Witr is performed for three rak’ahs to complete.
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The exciting evening
Ramadan nights are a time that Abdallah looks forward to. Beyond the mosque’s boundaries, the city comes to life with streets teeming with people and stores staying open late.
“Ramadan nights are like an adventure,” she claims.
This is particularly valid for the final ten days of Ramadan. But soon the throngs become silent as those who had been in the busy hubs enter the mosques and perform dhikr and murattal.
The capital city celebrates Eid
According to the measure, their zakat-ul-fitr is issued before the month of Ramadan concludes. Ethiopia distributes zakat in a unique way: rather than going via formal channels, people work together to philanthropically support the least fortunate members of their communities.
Before Eid, Ethiopians also follow a distinctive tradition. There is typically a sizable iftar in Addis Ababa, the country’s capital. People congregate and occupy Meskel Square, extending from Mexico Square to Bambis.
“This year, Dire Dawa is the first city to hold a massive ifthar,” Abdallah stated.
The streets of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, were filled with smiling people a few days prior to Eid. Thousands of people assemble on the day of Eid to hear the sermon and offer the Eid prayer.
“Miles and miles of streets are closed for the Eid prayer. Rather, they end up becoming a home for thousands of individuals from all over the world,” Abdallah said.
