Sorry, another question. I was reading in the Casual Cairo website that Ramadan will occur sometime between October/November this year. Does anyone know the exact dates? And should I avoid visiting Egypt during that time? Thanks!

Is Debbie's calendar for 2008?

I thought Ramadan ended in early-Oct or late Sept in 2007.....so that would make it more mid-late Sept for 2008. It was around Thanksgiving time our last year there (2004) - so it has to be MUCH earlier now.

Of course, depending on the exact end of Ramadan and your exact travel dates - you might hit the Eid celebration (the one 70 days after the end of Ramadan).
But that really shouldn't impact your trip too much.

Cairo folks - HELP!!

I believe Ramadan is early this year - Sept, as a tour outfitter for Morocco mentioned to me. Time of Ramadan varies from year-to-year.

Generally Ramadan shouldn't have major impact on your time in Egypt. Those who observe do not eat/drink during the day; break their fast in the evening. It's strongly suggested that tourists not walk in the streets eating/drinking. While some small shop owners might be closed, hotels, restaurants and sights are open.

I was in Egypt for three weeks during Ramadan and did not find anything to be a problem.


It was rather nice crusing down the Nile and hearing the calling chant to prayer as we were approaching places along the Nile... it sounded so soothing !!

Percy

Remember that 20% of Egypt's native population are Christians. Ramadan is for Muslims only. (And many Muslims don't take it too seriously - in Egypt you find enough Muslims who drink alcohol and eat pork. Our muslim guide even forget one of the holiest muslim holidays - Mohammed's birthday.)

Ramadan 2008: 1/2 September to 1 October.
Ramadan 2009: 21/22 August to 20 September.
Ramadan 2010: 10/11 August to 9 September.

just to clarify traveller1959's comment -

Coptic Christians make up between 10-20%, so the overwhelming majority are Muslim.

And the majority of Muslims in Egypt take their religion very seriously. There are, of course, some who are less strict in their "following". And I have known some who drank alcohol. I, personally, never knew a Muslim who ate pork, but there might be some.

Ramadan is a big deal. But for the most part, it should not impact tourists - as the Egyptian people know that is where the money comes from! However, some shops and other places may have reduced hours (open late/close early), and some restaurants may not be open until dinner.

It really varies. In my case, my boys knew that there would be no "fast food" lunches brought to them at school during Ramadan because the places never got going until after noon. I also knew to call for any sort of delivery (restaurants, groceries) well before or well after Iftar (the breaking of the fast at sundown). Nothing happened in the time leading up to or during that meal. There were some restaurants that were completely closed until dinner. There were some that were open for lunch and would serve us food, but no alcohol. There were others that were open as normal.

I was also very careful to avoid eating and drinking in front of people who were fasting. No one is going to really bother you too much if you do - I just felt it was respectful not to eat/drink out in public.

While the days can be rather slow paced, when the sun goes down - the party starts! Families and friends are together eating and having fun until the early hours of the morning. There are colorful Ramadan lamps hanging on balconies or on strings across streets. It's really quite an event!