Summer Ramadan VS Winter Ramadan - What to Expect in the Future

It takes 33 years for Ramadan to do a full cycle around the four seasons of the year. Each year, we’re inching closer and closer towards celebrating Ramadan in the winter time. This year, we came awfully close, and we think next year it just might land. So as we wrap up what we think may be the last relatively warm Ramadan we have for a while, let’s take a glimpse at what the Holy Month might look like in the winter…

ORIENTAL DESSERTS WITH WINTER FRUITS

Because Ramadan has been held in the summer for so long now, we’ve grown accustomed to creations like konafa bl manga. But consider this for a second: rawani cake with tangerine, or a banoffee konafa trifle. Hmmm.

SHORTER FASTING TIME

According to Google, December in Cairo usually has Maghreb at around 4:55 pm and fajr at 5:02 am, which means a shorter fast and more time for nomnoms.

RAMADAN COATS

The Ramadan kaftan is a classic staple, but with the Holy Month during the winter, we may need to layer on a thing or two. Maybe we can use those iconic Ramadan colours and prints on coats, yes?

HUNGER > THIRST

Summer in Egypt means dry, unbearable heat, so we tend to get more thirsty than hungry during our fasts. But come winter, we may find ourselves thinking of beleila and batata to satisfy our incessant snacking.

SHORTER OFFICE HOURS

Because of the earlier Maghreb prayer call, time spent at the office will likely get shorter. Clock out at 3 pm? Works for us.

SAHLAB > SOBIA

The crisp, coconut-y goodness of sobia might just be the best part about Iftar. But perhaps this icy staple will be swapped out for another white drink— sahlab, for the ultimate cosy vibes.

MORE TIME TO SLEEP

With fajr at 5 am, we’ll have a little more time to hit that snooze button freely before we need to get up for prayer. And more sleep = more joy.

SOHOUR IN THE COLD

Stepping out of bed in the cold winter dawn and touching your toes with the icy floor tiles is an experience that can be described as painful at best. But unfortunately it's going to be our reality when it comes to early morning sohour.