A charitable kitchen for those accompanying the injured Palestinians in North Sinai since the beginning of their entry for treatment in Egypt and extending until the month of Ramadan (Al Jazeera)

The councils (councils) of the tribes and Bedouin families in North Sinai are preparing to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, and the spirit of harmony and solidarity is clearly evident in preparing and storing tree wood (firewood) to ignite it to prepare Ramadan iftar tables.

The young man in his thirties, Faisal Al-Hamaida, tells Al-Jazeera Net that there are many beautiful memories of the month of fasting that have not changed due to the customs and traditions that we inherited from previous generations. A few days before Ramadan, they begin to buy their needs and supplies of food and nuts, and this is called “Ramadan storage,” which must be Ready before the holy month, as well as the daily requirements for the entire holy month.

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He added: The villagers and all the Sinai Bedouins begin preparing breakfast tables for the fasting people in the “majlis” (the council), around which the villagers, men and youth, gather, and children participate. It is also the destination for every passer-by who is forced by circumstances to travel and move around the time of the Maghrib call to prayer.

A popular market in North Sinai (Al Jazeera)

How delicious

Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, Suleiman Ayyad, a resident of the city of Bir al-Abd, west of Arish, said that before the sunset call to prayer, most people can be seen carrying containers containing God’s many bounties, such as dates and juices, and sometimes camel milk, heading with them to the seat sometimes known as “the Diwan” or "the Council".

This place is considered a meeting place for every family, clan, or tribe, where they gather for their joys and sorrows, or to hold customary sessions, “an alternative to regular courts,” to resolve problems and disputes between them in a peaceful manner.

During the Maghrib call to prayer and breaking the fast, they eat dates, a cup of juice, or sips of camel milk, then everyone goes to the mosque to perform the Maghrib prayer.

If there is a stranger in the mosque, he is encouraged and honored by inviting him to break the fast with others in the “seat.”

Everyone exchanges dishes so that the breakfast experience is full of diversity and exchange.

Since the people of the desert have special dishes such as “mansaf,” “sareed,” and “kabsa,” you will find your plate changed and another dish placed on your “pot,” which increases the uniqueness of this special social experience.

Gatherings of Bedouin tribal families in their councils in North Sinai before the month of Ramadan (Al Jazeera)

Cohesion and solidarity

Jumaa Naseer, a resident of Sheikh Zuwayed, confirms that during the month of Ramadan in Sinai, camel or goat milk, ajwa and dates are first eaten at the beginning of breakfast, and after the sunset prayer or sometimes after dinner, the main meals come which mainly contain meat.

These customs are characteristic of the desert people of Sinai, and are particularly reflected in the life of the Bedouins and Arab tribes who reside in those areas.

In his interview with Al Jazeera Net, Nusair said, there is strong harmony and solidarity in the episodes of “Al-Maqsa”, where the people of the desert do not rush to remove the food utensils after breakfast for fear of the presence of a guest who may need to eat.

Ramadan nights in Sinai continue with drinking coffee and tea prepared with cardamom and spices.

Arabic coffee is considered symbolic for the people of the desert, as it distinguishes itself from others by its flavor and aroma.

Regarding the customs, traditions, and heritage that have been passed down through generations from fathers and grandfathers, Naseer says, “It is important to adhere to these values ​​that distinguish us, and it is shameful to find a man eating breakfast in his home alone, even if he has guests. Rather, he must take them with him to eat in a majlis.” “Family” is a symbol of the hospitality and welcome that we celebrate in our traditions. Those moments we spend together strengthen our social ties, and reflect the values ​​of family and cohesion in our society.

Meals prepared by volunteers for Gaza patients being treated in Sinai hospitals (Al Jazeera)

Children's participation

Ramadan preparations in Sinai are not limited to young people only, but children also participate, and their role is highlighted in preparing and washing “soaps,” “buckets,” and cups, according to Saleh Attia, a young man in his twenties.

In addition, they stand on the roads to distribute light breakfast meals to passing cars, and compete to host “passers-by” to win the reward for breaking the fast.

After completing Iftar and Tarawih prayers, the children sit in the circles of their parents and grandparents, learning from their conversations, and they undertake the task of distributing and pouring coffee and tea to those present. “The children will work during the month of Ramadan this year to help us pack meals for the companions of our injured Palestinian brothers who have arrived for treatment in Sinai Hospitals,” according to Attia.

Two children participate in preparing breakfast meals for those accompanying Gaza wounded in hospitals in North Sinai (Al Jazeera)

Al Khair Kitchen

On the other hand, Mahmoud Arbi’, a Sinai Bedouin volunteer, said that he and the tribal youth, with personal efforts and donations from the people, launched a “charity kitchen” since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, whose mission is to prepare from 700 to 1,500 meals a day to be distributed to those responsible for preparing humanitarian aid and transporting it from Drivers and others.

Rabie added that the charity kitchen activity has expanded to include those accompanying the injured among our Palestinian brothers in the governorate’s hospitals, and its activity will extend until the holy month of Ramadan and until they return to their country safely, “in addition to our primary goal, which is to provide ready-made breakfast meals to needy Sinai Bedouin families, as is our custom every year.”

Light energy

The “Khair Kitchen” gratefully receives those wishing to do charitable work who visit it daily, and the efforts of all the families are highlighted in supporting the kitchen and those in charge of it with money and assistance from both large and small, as they consider it a “energy of light” for the needy and passers-by, said Ahmed Musabih, one of the volunteers in the Charity Kitchen. .

He adds that providing the work space and necessary tools in the kitchen is one of the most important of these great efforts.

Suleiman Al-Omda points out that the people of Sinai do not accept to put food in their mouths at a time when there are people on the roads who have not broken their fast, as we consider them our guests who must be honored and provided with what is necessary for them.

The distribution of materials begins half an hour before the Maghrib call to prayer, and continues until half an hour after the Maghrib prayer to ensure that everyone on the road eats their breakfast and breaks their fast.

Source: Al Jazeera