Ramadan brings many Tunisians back to the mosque

2009-08-25

The holy month marks a time when less observant Tunisians are inspired to return to the mosques to pray.

By Mona Yahia for Magharebia in Tunis – 25/08/09

[Mona Yahia] Crowds gather outside a Tunisian mosque, as Ramadan draws more people to prayer.

No sooner did the mufti of Tunisia announce the start of Ramadan after spotting the crescent than Tunisian mosques became filled with worshippers of all ages.

Many Tunisians who are not strictly religious make use of the month of fasting to pray and attend seminars moderated by imams and specialised scholars.

"I don't know what pushes me to pray during the month of Ramadan when I don't pray during the rest of the year," said Fares, a schoolteacher. "There is an atmosphere of piety and submission that we see in this month and that makes me do what my neighbours and friends do."

Ali Munji, a farmer, agrees. "During the holy month of Ramadan, I say all my prayers. I remember that I stayed alone at the mosque in one occasion, with tears flowing over my cheek. I feel that there is a strange thing attracting me to prayers during this month. As to the rest of the year, I almost never leave bars or stop drinking wine," he said.

More pious Tunisians are divided over those who pray only during Ramadan. Adel, a senior manager at a private company, rejects these people. "Prayers are not a seasonal thing," he told Magharebia. "They are one of the religious duties."

Other Tunisians are more accepting. "My daughter-in-law is one of the people that doesn't pray except in Ramadan," said Hajja Fadhila. "Although I'm not satisfied with that, I tell myself that it is better than nothing. I see her wearing the veil and saying the prayers only in this holy month."

"When you pray in Ramadan, it's better than not praying at all," said Ziad. "God may guide you in the future. My father used to teach the Qu'ran in southern Tunisia and I was drinking wine and wasn't praying or fasting. He would tell me that this was not a problem, and that even if I prayed in Ramadan only, it was still a good thing to do."

Tunisian authorities vowed to provide the best conditions for Tunisians observing the holiday. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali urged citizens to give special consideration for those praying in mosques so that worshippers may enjoy the desired atmosphere of quiet and submission.

During Ramadan, Tunisian and Arab TV and radio stations also replace normal programming with religious content. In addition to these broadcasts, the religious radio station Ezzeitouna ,launched two years ago in Tunisia by businessman Saker El Materi, presents religious programmes and Qu'ranic recitations.

Munir, a sociologist, explained that Ramadan affects even those who do not pray regularly. "The attachment to an exceptional month in the year, and the exceptional circumstances, have a greater weight on the individual," he said.

"There is a general atmosphere that creates awareness about religious issues: TV stations, open mosques, and religious seminars, all of which foster religious feelings. On the other hand, this doesn't happen in all individuals; one must be prepared for it, and in other words, the willingness must be there," he said.

Fathi B., a specialist in religious affairs, sees no problem with less devout Tunisians praying during Ramadan. "Religion considers the return to prayers, even if in Ramadan alone, as a good sign. It encourages fasting people not to return to their previous condition after Ramadan. It calls on them to embrace real repentance. However," he emphasised, "Islam doesn't describe those people as hypocrites or renegades."