For many Muslims, Ramadan has begun today and preparations for the first iftar, the meal eaten together after sunset, are in full swing. “Today I sell twice as much baklava as usual.”
Üzeyir Karakis from patisserie Divan started baking early this morning. “Today is one of the busiest days of the year,” he says. “Normally I have about fifty customers a day, today I expect about 250. On the first day of Ramadan I am always extra happy.”
Cooking for the neighborhood
In the Archipel community center in East, people were busy cooking today to prepare meals for people in the area who need it. “We do this because there is a lot of poverty in the area and a lot of people could really use some extra food. Ramadan is a time of togetherness and that is why it is extra important that everyone can participate,” says Badia El Hassani of the Neighborhood organization Womanspace.
Now that the corona measures have all but disappeared, Ramadan can be celebrated together again this year for the first time in two years. “It’s great that everything is possible again. You can be yourself again, see people around you, make contact and eat together. It’s delicious, I just can’t describe it,” says El Hassani.
About ten percent of Amsterdammers participate in Ramadan. The end of Ramadan is celebrated with the Sugar Feast and will probably take place on 1 or 2 May.