TUNIS, November 6 (IslamOnline) - Tunisian people exchanged greetings on the advent of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan the minute Tunisian Grand Mufti Kamal-u-Din Ja'eit announced in a televised address to the nation Tuesday, November 5, that Ramadan will start Wednesday, November 6.

Celebrating the announcement of Ramadan, all Tunisian towns fired seven shells and children took to the streets chanting with every single shell they hear.

Tunisian streets marked the advent of the holy month with flags, banners and pictures of President Zine el-Abideen bin-Ali on the 15th anniversary of his office as president.

Contrary to his predecessor Al-Habib Borqeiba, who had asked his people not to fast during Ramadan claming it was harmful to the national economy, Bin-Ali is keen on addressing the nation every Ramadan and encouraging them to help the poor and host fast-breaking banquets across the country.

Away from politics deserted by all Tunisians, Ramadan holds a special religious significance for everyone.

During the first days of the holy month, Tunisians divide their time between prayers and TV series.

While men assemble at mosques for prayers, women prepare for the second part of the evening by cooking Ramadan special dishes.

Tunisians spend the second half of their Ramadan evenings in the streets and in coffee shops.

As the Ramadan festival in the capital hosts various Arab music bands, the streets and alleyways of Kairouan, some 180 kilometers to the south - the city opened by the Conqueror of Africa Oqba ibn-Nafe’a - spend folkloric Islamic nights lasting till dawn when the Fajr (Dawn) call for prayers.

Although all Ramadan nights are holy and blessed, the 27^th night, when the Holy Qura’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammed (SAW) - Allah’s peace and prayers be upon him - is the holiest night. Therefore, most Tunisians prefer to spend this night in Kairouan, where they visit its famous mosques and various religious sites.

Those who choose to spend the 27^th night in Kairouan’s Oqba ibn-Nafe’a mosque shall miss, however, another great opportunity of spending it in Al-Zaytouna mosque in the capital which celebrates this year its centennial anniversary.