By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    CBE considers raising banks' reserve requirement
    CBE considers raising banks’ reserve requirement
    April 1, 2023
    Banks discuss amending interest rates on their savings, loan products
    Banks discuss amending interest rates on their savings, loan products
    April 1, 2023
    Egypt, EU discuss cooperation in economy, migration
    Egypt, EU discuss cooperation in economy, migration
    April 1, 2023
    Hermes Brokerage tightens its grip on EGX trading in 1Q 2023
    Hermes Brokerage tightens its grip on EGX trading in 1Q 2023
    April 1, 2023
    Industry Ministry hands over contracts for 113 industrial units to 60 investors in New Fayoum
    Industry Ministry hands over contracts for 113 industrial units to 60 investors in New Fayoum
    April 1, 2023
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Ramadan fasting is related with leniency in legal system: Study
    Ramadan fasting is related with leniency in legal system: Study
    April 1, 2023
    Egypt renews its support for comprehensive political settlement in Syria: Shoukry
    Egypt renews its support for comprehensive political settlement in Syria: Shoukry
    April 1, 2023
    Ugandan president says peacekeepers will help stabilize eastern DR Congo
    Ugandan president says peacekeepers will help stabilize eastern DR Congo
    March 31, 2023
    Formes US President Donald Trump Is Indicted in New York
    Trump indicted in hush-money payment case
    March 31, 2023
    Humza Yousaf is to be the first minister of Scotland after narrowly winning the election for leader of the Scottish National Party
    Humza Yousaf becomes Scotland’s first minister: A decade of polls suggest he’ll struggle to deliver independence, just like Nicola Sturgeon
    March 30, 2023
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    Developers have to offer innovative products, state should provide more facilities to stimulate industry: Kareem Mamoun
    Developers have to offer innovative products, state should provide more facilities to stimulate industry: Kareem Mamoun
    March 27, 2023
    Government should help Egyptian arts revive its pioneering role: Omar Abdel Aziz
    Government should help Egyptian arts revive its pioneering role: Omar Abdel Aziz
    March 15, 2023
    Interconnected healthcare systems in Africa require political will from North African leaders: Amref official
    Interconnected healthcare systems in Africa require political will from North African leaders: Amref official
    March 12, 2023
    EGX ready for government’s IPOs programme: Chairperson
    EGX ready for government’s IPOs programme: Chairperson
    February 15, 2023
    British International Investment invests $4.5bn in 700 businesses across Africa: Sherine Shohdy
    February 15, 2023
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Reading: Fasting over fervour
Share
Notification
Latest News
The Secret Behind Lobna Wanas’ Younger Appearance in “Jaafar El Omda”
Cinema Egypt
Ramadan fasting is related with leniency in legal system: Study
Ramadan fasting is related with leniency in legal system: Study
Politics Egypt
Egypt renews its support for comprehensive political settlement in Syria: Shoukry
Egypt renews its support for comprehensive political settlement in Syria: Shoukry
Politics Egypt
CBE considers raising banks' reserve requirement
CBE considers raising banks’ reserve requirement
Banking
Banks discuss amending interest rates on their savings, loan products
Banks discuss amending interest rates on their savings, loan products
Banking
Aa
Aa
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.
Dailynewsegypt > Blog > Culture > Fasting over fervour
CultureOpinion

Fasting over fervour

Adel Heine
Last updated: 2014/03/05 at 12:00 PM
By Adel Heine 6 Min Read
Share
Adel Heine
SHARE
Adel Heine
Adel Heine

Food will often give you the clues you need to know regarding what is happening in this country. Very smelly fish announces the arrival of spring, the sweet smell of mangoes heralds in summer and there is no winter until roasted batata appear on street corners. This week I was alerted to the fact that Lent had started when I picked up a random delivery menu which suddenly offered “fasting” choices.

In Egypt Lent is a period of 55 days where the Coptic population abstains from eating animal products in preparation for the celebration of Easter. I like it when 10% of all Egyptians go vegan for the better part of two months, because suddenly I do not feel so different. I have been eating plant-based food for the better part of five years now and while I can usually find something to eat on any menu by removing the animal protein, there are only so many veggie pizzas without cheese you can eat.

The Copts have not had an easy time of it in the past year; sectarian violence and discrimination were rampant, but those who make their money selling sustenance, from the local hole in the wall to the upmarket overpriced cafes, do not seem to partake in that practice. Menus that normally abound with shawerma and kofta suddenly offer all kinds of vegan options and dairy free lattes are drunk by the gallon. Deprivation has its limits and even international fast food chains feature veggie burgers.

Fasting is an intricate part of society, no matter what the religion you adhere to, and as with many things in life, the hardship is taken in stride and at the same time, minimised as much as possible. During Ramadan Muslims abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours but as soon as the sun goes down they make up for it in spades. Special meals are enjoyed in the company of friends and family and the many special venues offer entertainment and snacks until just before sunrise. The special vegan options in restaurants around town offer those partaking in Lent the opportunity to enjoy themselves as they are observing the practices of their religion.

I like that combination of piety and pragmatism; it is human and easier to relate to and tempers fervour with common sense.

It is funny that when it comes to these religious practices, this little streak of pragmatism pops up in the country, because in many other ways, passion often trumps common sense. Amazing scientific achievements, as the cure for diseases that affect millions, are announced without blinking an eye or corroborating evidence. Who cares that the best minds in the world have been trying to solve that puzzle for decades without success and there is no proof offered that this solution actually works; the healing of millions can commence and hearts all over the country swell with pride.

Or when traffic has tried your patience to the point of breaking and it finally starts to flow again. There is nothing sensible about the taxi driver suddenly thinking nothing of getting out of the car to argue over a two-inch gap with the driver of the vehicle next to you. Who cares if it delays everyone for another 10 minutes, an injustice has taken place and voices need to be raised and arms need to wave in the air. After which, satisfaction has been achieved and we all continue on our merry ways.

Another area where discernment takes a back seat is when support of football clubs and politicians alike is given. It is done wholeheartedly and unreservedly and objectivity immediately takes a back seat. Not to say that these traits cannot be found where I am from, but the complete conviction with which this is done by nearly everyone betrays a passion of character that most of us cloggies miss.

As an outsider, it is impressive, humbling and at times infuriating to be confronted with that kind of over the top fervour. There have been only a few times that I managed to feel that strongly about something, yet for most of my life, I have been considered to be overly emotional. Living here has liberated me from most of that down to earth conditioning, but it only took seeing one shouting driver arguing with another for me to realise I still have a long way to go. And always open to join the practices of my adoptive country, I figured I have a good opportunity here to make some changes.

I give you fair warning because it might make for some different and even uncomfortable columns in the upcoming weeks. I have decided to give up common sense for Lent.

You Might Also Like

Humza Yousaf becomes Scotland’s first minister: A decade of polls suggest he’ll struggle to deliver independence, just like Nicola Sturgeon

Cairo Opera hosts Chopin Piano Competition for children, youth

Opinion| 20 years after the US invaded Iraq: Did Washington lose trillions of dollars in the war?

Opinion| The Russian-Chinese summit and the new multilateral world

Israel’s military reservists are joining protests – potentially transforming a political crisis into a security crisis

TAGGED: Adel Heine, column, Culture, Daily News Egypt, DNE, opinion
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
By Adel Heine
DNE Art & Culture, and Lifestyle Editor
Previous Article Egypt and Gaza
Next Article Bikya celebrates third birthday starting Thursday
4 Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad image

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

The Secret Behind Lobna Wanas’ Younger Appearance in “Jaafar El Omda”
Cinema Egypt
Ramadan fasting is related with leniency in legal system: Study
Ramadan fasting is related with leniency in legal system: Study
Politics Egypt
Egypt renews its support for comprehensive political settlement in Syria: Shoukry
Egypt renews its support for comprehensive political settlement in Syria: Shoukry
Politics Egypt
CBE considers raising banks' reserve requirement
CBE considers raising banks’ reserve requirement
Banking
//
Egypt’s only independent daily newspaper in English. Discuss the country’s latest with the paper’s reporters, editors, and other readers.

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?