Amazing Street Festivals

Street festivals in Egypt are really incredible. The below pictures were both taken from the Korba district in Heliopolis. The street gets super-packed with youth, music-makers, face-painters, food n' drink vendors, book-sellers, craftspeople, parents with kids, sidewalk artists, drummers and booty shakers. As the day progresses and the sun wanes, the crowds spill in overflowing in a jittery chattery loud but peace-loving rabble, standing room only.

Sayeda Zeinab Mosque

Ceiling in the ladies section of Sayeda Zeinab

The following quote is from Naguib Mahfouz's book "The Mirage", describing a sublime experience experienced by the protagonist within the Sayeda Zeinab Mosque:

"My nostrils were penetrated by a sweet aroma that may have been some perfumes being sprayed by a magzub, while the sounds of the supplications being made by those circumambulating the shrine filled its corners with melodic echoes. A sheikh passed near me chanting verses from the Holy Qur'an in a hushed voice, and I remembered how I'd fallen away from the religion's obligatory rites to the point where the only thing I did regularly anymore was to fast during Ramadan. I thought to myself: If I returned to the right guidance found in the prescribed prayers, might not my heart find serenity and assurance, and might I not experience relief from the burden of anxiety and fear? Despite the pain it had endured, my heart had continued to find refuge in the prophets and the guidance they brought, and to drink deeply from a wellspring of cool, pure waters. I was flooded with a tranquility so profound, I wanted to soak up all I could of the wholesome, untainted serenity that I was experiencing in those moments. In that peace-induced rapture, my sufferings appeared to me as nothing but a fine threat in the fabric of destiny's invincible sway over all that is, and I was drawn into a state of contentment and surrender. A cloudlessness of the spirit set my soul in an upward spiral until I reached a pinnacle of bliss beyond anything I'd ever hoped for."

Beautiful Fountains

The below pictures are taken from Al Azhar Park and are all recent, however Egypt has many historic fountains dating back centuries. You can learn more about the history of such fountains when you are visiting Egypt by a trip to Cairo's Islamic Museum.

For another fabulous modern version of fountains in Egypt - check out Chocolate Mania Egypt for chocolate fountains. Yum.

Jolt yourself awake with coffee

In Eid, after fasting the month of Ramadan and going out to the cafes or in the comfort of the home, it is great to remember the gift of Egyptian strong coffee and strong tea. Even the Latte Macchiatos are stronger here.

Eid Sweets

Kahk is not the only sweet stockpiled and devoured during Eid. There are many many delights consumed during this sweet holiday season. During the Eid prayer, people walk amongst the people praying and hand out sweet dates, bonbons, cookies, etc. Here is a picture of a few of the festive offerings from the bakeries:

Kahk

Kahk is an Arabian dessert eaten at Eid-ul-Fitr that reminds me of cookies that my grandmother used to make us at Christmas-time in Canada: buttered walnut-balls. The walnut balls are more round (Kahk is flattened a bit), they were also much more "solid" and dry (Kahk on the other hand is very light and melts in your mouth). Apart from that they are just about the same, although most Kahk don't have walnuts in them (though you can find some with crushed nuts in the center, or with dates or other jellies).

Kahk ready to go home!

Rows upon rows of deeeeeelicious Kahk

You can try to make them yourselves by following this Kahk recipe from Al Ahram.

Eid Perfume

Source: Tour Egypt Article:
The Flowers of Ancient Egypt and Today

Egyptians have a long history of creating and wearing beautiful perfumes and using incense. During Eid ul Fitr, Muslims wear sweet perfumes in addition to eating sweet desserts along with the feast, in celebration of the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Prophet Muhammad said: Made beloved to me from your world are women and perfume, and the coolness of my eyes is in prayer. (Ahmad and An-Nasa ‘i)

Some other beautiful quotes about perfume in the spirit of Eid ul Fitr:

If you go to the garden of the Heart,

You'll have beautiful perfume like a rose.

If you fly to the sky,

Your face will turn into a moon like the angels.

- Rumi