South African Muslims prepare for Ramadan with “Eid Fest” exhibition

Highlights: South African Muslims prepare for Ramadan with “Eid Fest” exhibition. Muslims constitute only about 2% of South Africa's population of 60 million. Despite the small number of Muslims in South Africa, they have a great influence on the economic, political and cultural levels. Johannesburg - the largest city in the country - hosted one of the largest Ramadan exhibitions on the continent between February 29 and March 3. The exhibition witnessed the opening of various Turkish companies with their own pavilions, which provided the opportunity for pre-Ramadan shopping.

South African Muslims are preparing to welcome the month of Ramadan in a few days, and are emerging as an active minority in the country with many traditions, the most prominent of which is communal Iftar tables.

Muslims make up about 2% of South Africa's population of 60 million (Anatolia)

Although Muslims constitute only about 2% of South Africa's population of 60 million, they stand out as a very active minority in the economy, politics and culture.

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The Muslim community in South Africa, which had suffered colonialism and racism in the past, became one of the wealthiest segments of the country during the 30 years that followed the collapse of the apartheid regime.

South African Muslims are preparing to welcome the holy month of Ramadan (Anatolia)

Ramadan exhibitions

Johannesburg - the largest city in the country - hosted one of the largest Ramadan exhibitions on the continent between February 29 and March 3, as the city's residents showed great interest in the exhibition.

The exhibition witnessed the opening of various Turkish companies with their own pavilions, which provided the opportunity for pre-Ramadan shopping, including food and clothing.

For her part, Nisha Naidu, one of the organizers of the exhibition called “Eid Fest,” said, “Nearly 20,000 people visited this year the exhibition, which has been held regularly for 15 years, and products of Turkish origin have an important place this year.”

The pavilion of the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Institute also received the attention of visitors, and Ankara's ambassador to Pretoria, Ayşe Gül Kandaş, said that Ramadan was welcomed with great enthusiasm in South Africa this year as in previous years.

She pointed out that "South African Muslims are very sensitive about fulfilling their religious obligations, and they constitute about 2% of the population, but they control about 30% of the economy."

Despite the small number of Muslims in South Africa, they have a great influence on the economic, political and cultural levels (Anatolia)

Breakfast in the streets

For her part, Nasiba Abdullah, an official from “Awqaf” (one of the leading Islamic non-governmental organizations in the country), said, “Iftar meals in the streets are one of our Ramadan traditions in South Africa, where hundreds, even thousands, of people gather in the streets and break their fast together.”

She added, "Local flavors of Malaysian cuisine as well as Indian cuisine are widely preferred in cuisine during the month of Ramadan. We generally prefer to eat light meals for breakfast, and reserve main dishes until after Tarawih prayers, because they are heavier."

She concluded by saying, "Our young people often do not sleep until suhoor, as all family members gather again around the table."

Source: Anadolu Agency