CNN Middle East: Traditional lanterns light up the holy month of Ramadan

islamoyankee

CNN Middle East: Traditional lanterns light up the holy month of Ramadan

(CNN) — Countless streets across the Islamic world are currently alight with ornate festive lanterns.

Part of a tradition dating back over 800 years, the Ramadan lanterns, or “fanoos,” have become one of the most popular and enduring symbols of the month-long festival.

Believed to have originated in Egypt — where the lanterns are most prevalent — it is almost impossible to know how the tradition began.

Legends are numerous and varied, but one of the most popular features Egyptian Al Hakim Bi-Amr Illah who ruled over the North African Shiite Moslem Fatimid dynasty in the 10th century. He was said to have ordered all imams to light the streets of Cairo during the Ramadan nights.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/09/02/ramadan.festive.lanterns/

[From CNN Middle East: Traditional lanterns light up the holy month of Ramadan]

Related Posts

Navroz Mubarak 2007

Yes, it is a hybrid date format. But the holiday is now hybrid. Little bit of Zoroastrianism, little bit of Iranian nationalism, little bit of Islam, little bit of 21st century style globalization. Here is a good, short history of contemporary Navroz. Just a clarification, the Ismailis don’t recognize Navroz as Hazrat Ali’s birthday, we recognize Yawm-e Ali as a separate holiday. Navroz is also a marker of the solar new year for most Ismailis. The Fatimids marked a celebration of the holiday as well in the 11th century. (see Ritual, Politics and the City in Fatimid Cairo). Here’s the…

Open Letter to World Leaders

Trying to get a copy of the open letter to world leaders to post. In the meantime, here’s a brief write up.

Islam and the Earth

The Qur’an says that God is the light of the heavens and the earth. If you believe you see all of creation as being illuminated by a Divine light, than part of the trust that we, as the most noble of creation, have been given is the care and protection of the Earth. This type of thinking is not new to Muslims. We have shaped the world to reflect our belief in Heaven. Gardens are created to mirror the vision of Heaven with water and split into 4 quarters. Mecca, the center of our religious life, is the gateway to…