My Teenage Life in Egypt

These Egyptian children are holding fanous , or lanterns, that for centuries have been a symbol of the holy month of Ramadan.

month,Muslims fast during daytime hours. Theybelieve fasting encourag- es them to look inward and strengthen their faith. They also have special prayers and focus on charitable giving. Ramadan endswitha festival called Eid al-Fitr, which opens with a big feast that features extensive desserts and gift giving and lasts for three days. Seventy days after Eid al-Fitr, Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha, another three-day festival. It commemorates the story of God commanding Abra- ham to sacrifice his son. Abraham was sad but willing to do as he had been commanded until at the last moment the angel Gabriel sacrificed a ram instead. The festival honors Abraham’s obedience. Throughout the country, Muslims slaughter one of those animals as a sacrifice. They keep

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