According to Islam, the month is dedicated to prayers, as it is believed that it is an occasion to wipe one s sins and enjoy God s unlimited mercy. The principal ritual during Ramadan is fasting. Though the usual daily practice is natural, Moslems prefer to spend more time praying or reading the Qora an, particularly at night. Since long time, Egyptians adopted certain social habits during that month, which are not directly related to religion. Officially, the working hours are diminished to allow more time for prayers.
People usually sleep very late, sometimes at dawn, after spending long times in mosques.
Long time ago, it became the habit that the government fires a canon, which voice is so loud to be heard everywhere for announcement. The former is a cake-like made of wheat, and full of sugar, honey, raisins and different types of nuts. The later is almost the same, but takes the shape of a small circular cake, which is folded to include the nuts and raisins. With Ramadan being the most joyful month of the whole year, children also have their share of fun. These are traditionally made of tin and colored glass, with a candle inside.