Khalid Tawalbeh
Doha
The rich mix of cultures, customs and traditions in Jordan is what makes the Holy Month of Ramadan in the country unique. More than 120 years ago, a large number of Levantine, Kurdish and Palestinian families migrated to Jordan. Many Syrians have also migrated to the country over the past few years as a result of the conflict, making Jordan’s culture unique.
Like other Arab and Muslim nations, Jordan also has traditions and practices that set it apart throughout the holy month. This is due to the uniqueness of its cultural diversity, in addition to environmental and geographical elements.
In Jordan, the signs of welcoming the holy month can be seen on the streets as well as in the stores, business districts, residences and even mosques.
Salima El Kurdi, who is 71, says: “There were no Ramadan celebrations, like we see now, when we were kids. There were no decorations. Older people were more focused on fasting during Ramadan, which was a month dedicated to worship.
“The tables were simpler and more modest back then because there were no refrigerators in the homes and because they served only a few dates, tomatoes, soups, lentils and occasionally eggs—all of which were straightforward and affordable folk delicacies. The meat was made three times a month: once in the beginning, once in the middle, and once at the conclusion. There was no such attention to Ramadan decoration as there is now. I don’t recall my father ever lighting lanterns.”
She continues: “The meals on the tables today are plentiful and diverse. Along with dates and water, people prepare soup, greens and a rice dish with meat or chicken for the main course. They also make a few appetisers, like chickpea crumbs with minced meat and pickles.
“There are some things that remain the same, such as greeting family members on the first day. Mansaf is prepared on the first day, together with Qatayef for dessert, as the main course.”
Ramadan decorations distinguish the blessed month in Jordan, where families, as an expression of their joy and happiness, accept that children can have lanterns, jellyfish of various colours and shapes, in addition to what is known as the “Ramadan crescent”, which is an electric ribbon in the form of a crescent with a star in the middle, adorning the streets, entrances and balconies of houses, which turn the nights of Ramadan into a beautiful multi-colored and bright panoramic painting.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune, Dr Sahem Al-Huwaiti, an economic advisor, said that the centre of the capital Amman, or ‘Wast Al Ballad’ as Jordanians call it, remains the most adhering to the customs and traditions of Ramadan, as evidenced by several distinctive traditional markets, such as the Bukhariya market (related to merchants who came from Bukhara), the Yemeni market (related to Yemeni merchants). There is also Al-Attarin and ‘Bala’ markets. All of which are lively markets, especially during the night after iftar, because they are located near the largest mosque in Amman (Al-Husseini mosque).”
“In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, as in other Arab and Islamic countries, the Ramadan iftar tables and suhour meals have changed, due to the changes in lifestyle, from simple dishes to expensive ones,” he added.
Amani Al Foqaha, a social activist, said “Among the most prominent and famous dishes that furnish the Ramadan tables in Jordan, we find ‘mansaf’, considered the master of the table, which is a popular meal prepared with rice, meat, dried yogurt and bread, in addition to ‘Qatayef’, the main dessert, which in turn is present daily on the Ramadan table, in addition to some drinks such as ‘Qamar al-Din’, licorice juice and date juice.”
“The social relations in the country are of great interest, as members of the same family, as well as relatives and friends, during the holy month, are keen to meet at the iftar table, especially on the first day,” she said.
Al Foqah said: “During the days of Ramadan, the aspects of social solidarity are diverse, as there are many Ramadan tents, which have become a tradition in the country. In addition to the mercy tables organized by the Ministry of Awqaf and charitable associations, we find voluntary initiatives by individuals and families who rush to do good throughout the month through distribution of food and in-kind items to the needy, believing in the values of solidarity.”
“Families are also keen on this great occasion to take out zakat money or pay it to charitable institutions, which in turn distribute it to the deserving poor people, orphans and widows,” Al Foqah added.
Journalist Ahmed Al-shawabkeh stressed that one of the most interesting things during this holy month is the launch of an initiative called ‘Iftar for fasting people’, which consists of distributing water and dates to passers-by on the streets who do not have time to reach their destinations before iftar time. “This is in addition to the initiatives carried out by associations through the installation of tents to help philanthropists to hold iftar banquets for needy families and students from Islamic and Arab countries studying in Jordanian universities.”
He added: “In this great month, within the framework of religious coexistence between Christians and Muslims, we find commendable initiatives carried out by a number of members of the Christian community in some governorates of the kingdom, especially in Madaba governorate, through the distribution of dates to the fasting people and the establishment of Ramadan tables and iftar, striking the most wonderful examples of affection, brotherhood, coexistence, tolerance and support among the sons of the same homeland.”
In the same context, Dr Rania Haddad, a scholar of sociology, indicated: “The Christian community in Jordan shares their celebrations with Muslims in this blessed month through the Ramadan subsidy programme implemented by Near East Council of Churches Committee for Refugee Work (NECCCRW), which includes responding to the needs of approximately 3,000 refugee and needy families, comprisingof about 18,540 people in a number of Jordanian governorates.”
In various governorates of Jordan, the authorities concerned set up programmes for preaching, guidance and religious awareness in some 7,000 mosques, as Ramadan is an occasion to sensitize citizens and discuss a range of issues and social phenomena that concern daily human life, as well as the virtues and advantages of this holy month.
After offering the Isha and Taraweeh prayers, according to Dr Mohammed Al-Hawamda, many Jordanians prefer to spend their time outside the houses, especially in special tents that are dedicated to Ramadan night sessions, exchanging parties and sharing food. These sessions last until late at night or dawn.
“What makes Ramadan special is the Ramadan evening programmes that include singing, praising and Sufi chanting by regional, Arab and Islamic artistic groups that fill the space of the tiny Roman amphitheater (Odeon) in central Amman throughout the month, along with other artistic evenings in other locations,” Dr Al-Hawamda added.
