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Ramadan in Tanzania
In
Tanzania, the month of Ramadan has a special place in the minds of
people as they prepare for Ramadan right from the middle of
Sha`ban, as they bedeck the streets with decorations and electric
lights, and also beautify the mosque and all the neighboring shops.
Then they exchange visits and gifts between families.
As
preparation for the month of Ramadan, most Muslims fast on Mondays
and Thursdays in the month of Sha`ban until Ramadan comes when all
of them will fast, starting from children of twelve years up to the
old people. Those who do not pray are called atheists, pagans and
unbelievers. It is regarded as an enormity and punishable under the
law for a Muslim to eat during the day in Ramadan and to be seen on
the street eating. All the shops are always closed in the daytime.
Even the cafeterias in the hotels are not to be opened except after
the sunset prayer, and even a non-Muslim is ashamed of eating in
the daytime during Ramadan.
Some
of the foods used to break fast are dates, water sweetened with
sugar, coffee, rice, fish and vegetables.
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