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Transcript/ScriptSudan Ramadan - Ibraheem
HEADLINE: Despite Economic Woes in Sudan, Khartoum Residents Observe Ramadan
TEASER: Amid food shortages and hardship, the country's Muslims observe the month
of fasting by following decades-old customs
PUBLISHED AT: 04/09/2023 at 4:08 pm
BYLINE: Sidahmed Ibraheem
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: KARTOUM, SUDAN
VIDEOGRAPHER:
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): All VOA original
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 1:49
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: For questions and final review, send it back to Africa senior editor,
Salem Solomon, email: salemsolomon@voanews.com, Africa Division’s executive
producer, Betty Ayoub, email: bayoub@voanews.com.))
((INTRO))
[[Despite their country's economic woes, Muslims in Sudan are observing the holy
month of Ramadan with customs that include sharing iftar with travelers. Sidahmed
Ibraheem spoke to residents in Khartoum and has this story.]]
((NARRATION))
Cars rush past as young people spread carpets for prayer. This is what the streets of
Khartoum look like moments before Muslims in the city break their fast with an evening
meal.
Sudanese people observe the holy month of Ramadan with special rituals that include
decorating the streets and preparing food.
A resident of the El-Daim neighborhood says it is customary for men to break their fast
in the streets.
((Shaker Ahmed, Khartoum Resident)) ((Male, in Arabic))
“It’s one of our customs to gather and break the fasting in the streets daily during
Ramadan. The purpose of this practice is also to share food with people who might not
be able to reach their destination on time. These are rituals celebrated for decades all
over Sudan.”
((NARRATION))
Sudan has experienced years of economic hardship. After a coup in 2021, international
financial assistance for the country was frozen, impacting the national budget and other
developmental projects.
Economic strain, residents say, is also felt in the streets. They say there is a lack of
basic staple foods, including the wheat flour used in asida, a common dish in the Arab
world, and other food items people depend on during Ramadan.
((Hassan Said, Shopper)) (Male, in Arabic))
“It’s clear that the prices are increasing, everything is increasing. We thank God for
everything, even though we have to adapt to the uncertain economic situation in the
country, which makes us suffer to meet our daily needs. The prices of the meats are
settled, but the vegetables are not. We don’t have a choice except to be patient and
help each other with our known Sudanese hospitality.”
((NARRATION))
Ramadan remains a special month for the Sudanese, who strive to preserve its rituals
and uniqueness.
((Sidahmed Ibraheem, for VOA News, Khartoum, Sudan.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
KARTOUM, SUDAN
Embargo DateApril 9, 2023 14:28 EDT
Byline
Sidahmed Ibraheem
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
