RABAT, October 14 (IslamOnline.net) – Ramadan tastes special in Morocco, as the bliss of Islam’s holiest month extends to include all walks of life in the Arab Maghreb country.

The well-established tradition of inviting Muslim scholars from across the Arab and Islamic countries to Morocco during the month leaves mosques teeming with attentive worshippers and brings in a unique spiritual atmosphere.

During the dawn-to-dusk fasting month, mosques receive large numbers of worshippers for the Night Prayer and Tarawih, reciting Qur'an and getting religious lessons.

The scholars give series of lectures on Islamic teachings, allowing many Moroccans to beef up their knowledge during the holy month.

“We hope the mosques would carry out their main roles, as was the case at the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as a place for getting lessons on science and making consultations by Muslims, not just for performing prayers,” said one worshipper.

This aspired-for role of mosques, another citizen said, could also affect Moroccan youths by boosting their morality.

“If the mosques continued to play their role during the whole year, there would be no vice among Muslim youth,” he said.

Traditional Wear

Markets in Morocco also witness an unusual vitality, with many Moroccans seeking to buy dates and other dry fruits such as almond, usually eaten during the fasting month.

Ramadan is also marked by the appearance of the Musaharati, a man charged with waking people up for suhur -- a meal Muslims have before they fast every day.