Arabs and Muslims in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, are keen to celebrate the month of Ramadan, despite leaving the Arab world for decades.
hours before breakfast
Imad Khalil, a member of the Lebanese community in Brazil, mentioned to “Sky News Arabia” some scenes and customs that spread among Arabs in Brazil during the month of Ramadan:
There is a lot of crowding in front of sweet shops, especially Lebanese and Syrian ones that are close to or often affiliated with mosques.
The Levantine character dominates the iftar tables in the month of Ramadan, given the predominance of the numbers of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants among the Islamic circles in Brazil.
Muslims eat breakfast, and collective and family breakfast programs are among the most important features of the general behavior of Brazilian Muslim families in this month.
Group iftar programs are either sponsored by a charitable organization that is keen to provide free food to the poor or those who live in areas far from mosques and are unable to break the fast in their homes with their families, or by rich philanthropists.
Arab Islamic institutions, especially the Gulf ones, are interested in holding such Ramadan iftars, and those in charge of Brazilian Islamic centers are interested in holding them in order to introduce Islam, and these meals have a positive political impact on Muslims in Brazil, as they appear as one bloc, which prompts Brazilian politicians and parties to woo them due to the political weight that they represent in society.
Lebanese journalist Ali Farhat, who resides in Brazil, told Sky News Arabia: “The Ramadan atmosphere in Brazil is similar to the atmosphere in many Arab countries, with the exception of some small details, most notably Ramadan decorations that are not hung in the streets.”
The National Day of the Arab Community
In a related context, the Lebanese doctor residing in Brazil, Bilal Ramez Bakri, told “Sky News Arabia” that “Saturday is the national day of the Arab community in Brazil.”
Bakri pointed out that “the celebrations by the community are no longer what they were in the past, pointing to Brazil’s interest in this history and its mention in state, federal and municipal councils.”
Bakri added, “The number of fasting hours in Brazil is 13 hours in the city of Sao Paulo, pointing out that the number of fasting hours varies from one city to another.”
He continued, “Brazil enjoys a high degree of religious tolerance and allows all sects to practice their rituals freely.”
“The situation differs between Sao Paulo and others, according to the number of residents in each state and province,” Bakri concluded.