Welcome to Marrakech! Back in March this year, I flew out to meet MTH on his work trip. I hadn’t intentionally planned to visit Marrakech during the Holy month of Ramadan, a sacred month in Islam, but it just so happened I landed on the first day the country began Ramadan! It meant my visit was a little different, and I got to experience a really interesting cultural experience – my first Iftar.
What is Ramadan & what is Marrakech like during Ramadan?
Ramadan is the most holy month in Islam, marked by fasting from dawn to sunset. It aims to foster self-discipline, empathy and spiritual reflection. It’s celebrated across the Islamic world. During Ramadan, Muslims focus on prayer, self reflection and community. Muslims have five regular daily prayers, and during Ramadan, there’s a special night prayer called taraweeh.
During Ramadan, drinking and eating in public is forbidden. This is the same in Marrakech, and many restaurants close their doors. However, as it is a tourist heavy city, you won’t struggle to find a number of restaurants that stay open and most hotels also continue to serve food, drinks and alcohol.
What is Iftar?
Iftar is the time of day in the evening when those observing Ramadan break their fast. The Iftar is a feast, consisting of local delicacies and traditional food.
Our hotel encouraged guests during Ramadan to join in fasting and sharing in a communal Iftar to gain an understanding of the cultures and traditions of Islam. We decided to do just this, and are really glad we did.
Our experience of fasting & Iftar
Whilst of course a day fasting and experiencing Iftar in a hotel cannot be claimed to be totally authentic, I really learned a lot. Fasting was hard (especially when I had a coughing fit and couldn’t take water), but I did feel a sense of achievement and totally agree it required me to have self discipline. I can easily see how it enhances connection to oneself and the community with which you share the experience.
I also realised how important it is for those in my team who are practicing Muslims to be able to work from home, attend prayers and adjust their working hours during Ramadan. I do ensure my team are able to do this, but it made me even more appreciative of the need to ensure this happens 100% of the time.
I also learned a lot about the local foods of Morocco during Ramadan in particular, and enjoyed sampling them all. Here are some of the highlights:
- Harira – a delicious tomato and lentil soup. My photos make it look unappealing but it was so tasty!
- Baghrir – a cross between a cake and a crumpet, the delicious light dish is often paired with tea
- Mint tea – a cleansing and delicious version of a favourite
- Stuffed bread – Moroccans have a tradition of baking bread in a communal oven, a ‘Ferrane’. Small breads are then stuffed with tasty fillings – I had tuna and vegetables in mine.
- Chebakkia – sesame cookies in a flower shape are one of the most popular Iftar table treats during Ramadan in Morocco
- Ghriba – Almond cookies, which I went nowhere near but the husband loved
- Briouate – sweet and savoury filled pastries that normally come in triangles
Of course, there were then also many traditional Moroccan foods on offer at our Iftar feast including barbequed meat, cous cous, tagines and even lamb brains in chermoula sauce – we tried them and they weren’t awful, but also weren’t our favourite!
All in all, we had a great time learning more about the importance of Ramadan, understanding the Iftar feast and sampling a lot of dishes which were new to us. I certainly can’t claim to be an educated expert, but I’m really glad I had the experience and would recommend it to anyone who gets the chance to do the same!
Stay safe and happy travelling.
Saasdia Travel Gid
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