Morocco in Ramadan
As an Islamic country, one should expect to see the multiple daily religious’ practices which are highly sacred and deemed as a big part of the Moroccan culture. So, it is so important to know about these practices before, so that you can have an idea about what to expect during each event to decide which time is the best that fits you and which one to avoid.
Ramadan, for instance, is one of the most significant religious events in the year. In the Islamic year, or the so-called “Hijri year”, Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar that includes as well twelve months in the total. But since the Islamic month is a lunar-based system so its year ends about twelve days earlier than the Gregorian year. Therefore, the month of Ramadan remains unstable within the Gregorian year and constantly moving back every year by about twelve days towards January. You should always search when the month Ramadan will come in the Gregorian month when visiting Morocco. Anyway, what exactly happens in Ramadan?
Ramadan is the month when Muslims fast daily from the dawn to the sunset. This practice actually merely affects the tourists in the country. It is true that most of the administration offices, such as Banks, post offices and companies …etc., change slightly their daily schedule by leaving so early in the afternoon (leaving mostly at about 15:00 pm) to have their breakfast with family, however the rest of the places, such as shops, Markets (Souks), tourists’ restaurants, hotels and even the Alcohol and cigarettes shops…etc., keep their old schedule and stay open in the midday as usual. You will also notice in the mornings that there are less people in the streets and the cities are less vibrant, but the more it gets dark the more vibrant it becomes. It is noteworthy to mention that in Ramadan you should try not to eat or drink or smoke in the streets in front of people at the daylight hours. Not that it is forbidden but only for the sake of respecting the locals.
One should know that Ramadan is also a great time to visit Morocco. Firstly, this month is a good time to avoid crowdedness since all Moroccans fast by the day the thing that makes them less active. Besides, numerous hotels lower their costs in Ramadan since they have a lot of empty rooms that they need to fill, and services become the best. In addition, Ramadan comprises many religious events and feasts that carry a marvelous feeling to people, especially the tourists who acknowledge that they experience a wonderful time discovering the culture and trying the different sweet and salty food specially made for Ramadan. So, many tourists prefer to come in this month particularly to take advantage of its merits and enjoy a new experience away from the masses with low prices. Just pay attention that after the last day in Ramadan, there comes the feast “Eid Alfitr” in which most of the shops and offices are closed for a day or two. Try to get everything you need in the day before the feast. One also should note in general that Muslims pray in mosques five times a day in the whole year. So, it is normal to hear the prayer-calls every dawn which may awake you if you are a light sleeper and you reside near a mosque. However, most tourists don’t hear them, or if they do they enjoy them since these calls are too short and sung with a very beautiful and spiritual voice.
To conclude with, the weather in Morocco plays a great role in making it as one of the best visited countries in the world. Please contact one of our specialists in order to customize your trip and get more details about it.