Ramadan in Europe – A Youtube Essay I: First Day
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb22HxDV5Hc]
Sometime this week the Islamic month of Ramadan begins. Every year there is some confusion about when it actually begins in Europe. Does one rely on the actual sighting of the moon? And if so where? In Europe (the country of residence)? Saudi Arabia? For the migrants their country of birth? There are some attempts to synchronize the dates but they are not very successful, yet. In this youtube essay a glimpse into the diversity of Ramadan in Europe.
Islam and Europe
Islam and Europe share a long history of conflict, dialogue, competitiveness, cooperation, trade and exchange. One of the countries with a very old Muslim community (and recent immigrants) is Poland.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKMZCdMwVew]
The next video gives you some idea of the visit of a Muslim immigrant to a Polish community celebrating the fasting. The person who made video visited Warswaw and Bialystok (that has a Muslim minority the Tatars who are present in Eastern-Europe for about 600 years)
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMjBn8yTPIA]
Prayer, fasting and eating
As part of the Islamic faith for many people praying, fasting and eating are central during this month:
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV3EfIQ5Lwc]
Sarajevo (Bosnia) has found a way to announce the end of fasting every day: by fireworks and then followed by mosques who light their ‘candle’.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR9JHuARQXM](fireworks at 0:46)