| Hamada al-Hattab, Omar al-Othmany |
GAZA (Xinhua) – The Palestinian Gaza Strip’s streets and markets were beautifully decorated with colourful traditional lanterns welcoming the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan.
Sali Kassab, 11, from Gaza City, carefully checked several lanterns in a shop in downtown Gaza, finally choosing one she thought to be the most beautiful, which was made in China.
The ‘fawanees’ – Arabic for Ramadhan lanterns – are an integral part of celebrations marking the arrival of the holiest month of Ramadhan, during which Muslims fast from sunrise till sunset.
Throughout the month, Ramadhan lanterns grace markets and shops in the territory run by the Islamic Hamas movement.
Following the sunset breakfast meal, children can be seen outside with their lanterns, singing traditional Ramadhan songs.
Streets and markets in the Palestinian Gaza Strip are decorated with colourful ‘fawanees’ – Arabic for Ramadhan lanterns – as the people welcome the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan
File photo from June 5 shows a Palestinian vendor selling traditional Ramadhan lanterns in his shop at a market in Gaza City – PHOTOS: XINHUA
The fawanees come in different sizes, colours and shapes. In addition to the traditional minaret shape, modern fawanees also take the shapes of rockets, planes, animals and famous cartoon characters.
Previously, fawanees were made of tin and coloured glass, with a candle inside, whereas modern models are battery operated to glow.
For Muslims, the fawanees are a source of fun for children and a centuries-old tradition.
“I wait for Ramadhan impatiently to buy my fawanees,” said Kassab, as her mother bargained over the price with the salesman.
“The fawanees make me and my friends very happy.”
Kassab’s Chinese-made lantern glitters brightly with colourful hues as it plays traditional Ramadhan songs.
The modest prices of Chinese-made lanterns render them affordable to most residents in the poverty-stricken Gaza Strip, which has been subject to an Israeli-imposed blockade since 2007, when Hamas forcefully seized control of the enclave. The strip’s economy worsened further as a result of frequent military confrontations between Palestinians and Israelis.
“Lantern prices are quite affordable. Chinese ones are much cheaper than the local ones,” Heba al-Naffar, a housewife, told Xinhua while purchasing lanterns for her two sons.
Al-Naffar said the quality is also good, adding that affordable prices enable poor families to buy lanterns to make their children happy during the holy month.
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