Ramadan In Iran: How Not To Starve!

Ramadan is almost over. People have adjusted to a new pace of life, waiting for its ending, though. But this year Ramadan is not as it was last year. Iranian society changes so fast that you can see little changes every year. Take a look at how things were here last year and it has changed.

Ramadan: a month of fasting or a month of pretending

Every now and then the government has to remind Iranians that it`s fasting time and they shouldn't forget that there are some people who actually fast (or maybe it`s done to make an impression that there are such people?). 

To do that city's municipality this year, for example, installed screens in front of the drinking water fountains inside the metro stations and put a poster of a woman with a child saying that she can`t fast, but she respects those who do. But the paradox is that this place is still always crowded, and sometimes the line goes beyond the screen. So the question is - are there really people whose condition we should respect?

Ramadan: a month of fasting or a month of pretending

From the media you might have heard that Ramadan (Ramezan in Persian) is a holy month of fasting and like 90 percent of Iranians fast during this period of time. Even if you are inside in Iran, after seeing all the eateries closed during the day and most places like shops and parks getting crowded only after Iftar time (which is the official beginning of the night when Muslims can start eating), you might think that all the gossip that most Iranians follow the rules are true. But after taking a closer look you`ll see that Iranians spend Ramadan differently.

Photo: People in Iran spend Ramadan differently: some – in prayers,

 others – like nothing`s going on.