Many organisations in Egypt offer meals for the poor during Ramadan. [Waleed Abu al-Khair/Al-Shorfa]
Among the many traditions and rituals in Egypt surrounding the holy month of Ramadan are Rahman tables, which have become a regular sight in the capital city of Cairo and other provinces.
Rahman tables provide iftar meals to the poor and others who are unable to be home for the evening feasts, such as policemen, drivers and sanitary workers.
Many Rahman tables are offered by merchants, artists and religious institutions, who set up the tables inside canvas tents as well as in public squares, mosque courtyards or simply on the street.
According to Dr. Hamid al-Zini, a professor of Islamic history at Al-Azhar University, the tradition of Rahman tables date back to year 9 AH (631), during the time of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). In Egypt, they began during the era of Prince Ahmed Ibn Tulun (880 AH - 1475), who personally opened the first table and encouraged the rich to offer tables to help the poor.
The tradition continued during the reign of Fatimid Caliph al-Muizz and throughout the Ottoman era, when the name was changed to the royal tables. However, in 1967, they became known as Rahman tables when Nasser Bank encouraged offering them as a way of using zakat money.
Al-Zini told Al-Shorfa that the latest study on Rahman tables in Egypt place the cost of setting up and providing the tables at two billion pounds ($330 million), with half of the funds spent in Cairo.
The report also said that the tables provide meals for an estimated three million Egyptians.
He said that while many benefactors who sponsor the estimated 25,000 Rahman tables seek publicity for political or social reasons, the charitable and religious character of the tradition remains prevalent, regardless of the donor's motivations.
Al-Zini said that there are four types of Rahman tables offered during Ramadan: tables offered by mosques, tables sponsored by wealthy individuals, tables arranged by residents of certain neighbourhoods voluntarily contributing within their means, and those offered by government institutions.
However, recent events have negatively impacted the number of tables in Egypt, said Sheikh Ezzat al-Nasr, the zakat superintendent for Al-Azhar.
"Rahman tables have not been the same after the January revolution due to the prevailing poor economic conditions and the reluctance of many philanthropists to offer Rahman tables as they have prior to the revolution," he told Al-Shorfa.
"Moreover, many mosques have also reduced their [charitable] activities during Ramadan," al-Nasr said, pointing to the case of Cairo's Amr ibn al-As mosque, which opted to not set up Rahman tables "due to the decline in donations that [in the past] were earmarked specifically for the tables".
He added that in recent years the government moved to regulate Rahman tables and worked to spread them to the largest possible number of needy citizens.
Al-Nasr said the Ramadan season motivates many charities and youth to volunteer and work at Rahman tables by "collecting donations, preparing tables and washing the pots and pans".
The religious motive is inseparably "mixed with the social motive, as the religious motive seeks to draw nearer to God through charitable work, especially feeding the poor, [while] the social motive seeks solidarity and social interdependence", he told Al-Shorfa.
He also criticised those who offer support to the poor only during Ramadan but fail to offer assistance during the rest of the year.
Businessman Fahim Ayad said he and others have set up Rahman tables for the past decade in the low-income Dar es-Salaam district, adding that they have tried for the past two years to continue the "Egyptian Ramadan folkloric tradition" despite the economic downturn.
"There is a greater need for [aid] now than in the past, as the number of poor people has risen as a result of the economic recession," he said, adding that his charity group also delivers Ramadan iftar packages to poor families.
Ayad said that some people visit the tables out of curiosity, and some actually prefer to have iftar among the poor to experience a genuine Ramadan atmosphere, especially in the Old Cairo neighbourhoods near Al-Azhar, the Al-Hussein shrine, Al-Muizz al-Fatimi Street and Khan el-Khalili.
He added that officials decided this year to designate sites for Rahman tables that do not hinder traffic in the streets and ensure that the tables are not overly abundant in some areas and scarce in others.
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قيس
2012-8-24
In the beginning, I would like to point out that providing charity banquets is one of the manifestations of the holy Ramadan in Egypt, although its history dates back to hundreds of years, and even though the claims differ about its origin. Some think that they started from the era of the Prophet. Some argue that they began from the era of the Caliphs. But whatever their beginning is, no one can deny the great impact they caused to human beings during Ramadan even though they leave after the end of this holy month. The charity banquets may contribute to the breaking of thousands of poor and non-poor people. This gathering may also contribute to the introduction of love among humans and spread the fraternity among the Muslims and the non-Muslims.
خيري سعيد
2012-8-24
No one can ignore the importance of all charity banquets in Egypt, as they contribute to feed thousands of fasters especially the needy and sometimes the rich people. Thus we see that all charity banquets in Egypt are good. They work on providing food to all needy and non-needy fasters. They also assemble groups from different classes of the society so that they won't feel that they are less than any other. This is the best masterpiece of the month so that the poor can wish to celebrate Ramadan all throughout the year. If we look to the date of charity banquets, we will find how old they are. In some stories, we find that their history is way back to the era of the Prophet. Some say that it is during the reign of the successors. In the end, whatever is the origin of all charity banquets in Egypt, this act is still the best way to have peace and goodness over Egypt.
حسين محمد
2012-8-24
The whole world has known the people of Egypt as the most generous and tolerant people. They are the people who taught the universe about generosity, peace and tolerance among the creatures. The most important thing is that they have taught the universe how to build a great civilization based on arts and genius. The largest evidence of the generosity and the great tolerance of Egyptian citizens is their usual habit in establishing all the charity banquets during the holy month of Ramadan since ancient time. They prepare a huge number of charity banquets in every Ramadan for feeding the needy and the poor. These tables are held daily in the month of Ramadan without any charge, fees or required costs for the guests. This phenomenon or habit will never have place on earth except Egypt.
خلدون مراد
2012-8-22
The Egyptian economy was badly damaged after the glorious revolution of January 25 and April given the several foreign pressures and internal factors from some members who only want the vandalism of Egypt which will not be achieved. The Egyptian people are the greatest people on Earth without any exaggeration. However, these economic conditions have come to influence the ordinary citizen which lead to the considerable pressure on the Egyptian families, especially in the holy month of Ramadan when they suffered from the high-price and the increase of the product prices into very high prices. All this has led to a lot of psychological pressure on the Egyptian families especially in holy month of Ramadan.
جليل
2012-8-8
The scene of the charity suppers in the holy month of Ramadan in the streets of Cairo brings to my mind the picture of the ousted President. I imagine him sitting in the tables which fill the streets in the month of Ramadan. They remind me of the false slogan which reads: “The former president Mubarak is the official sponsor of extreme poverty in Egypt”. It is true that extreme poverty existed in Egypt before the rule of the deposed President. However, there is no doubt the Egyptians suffered from more poverty during the reign of the deposed President than ever. Indeed, during his rule some Egyptians were so hungry that they ate the meat of dead animals. They were given this meat in the most luxurious hotels. The poverty plagued the lives of all of the Egyptians.
وجدان
2012-8-8
Whenever I see the fast breaking banquets in Egypt and I see with my own eyes the poor sitting and waiting for fast breaking meal given that they have been unable to afford for it from Halal money without begging the well-off, I always wonder what the charity banquets of each one of these poor will be like if ever we redistribute wealth fairly between Egyptians. I also wonder what the fast breaking banquet of ordinary Egyptian families will be if we put an end to the theft of Egyptian public money. In fact, if we will manage to fulfill these conditions, we would eradicate these charity banquets of the poor although they are Halal and are not confined to the poor only but to all Egyptians. For instance, if fast breaking takes place while we are travelling, we may stop for some minutes to break the fast and pray God to grant those who have organized such banquets more wealth and preserve this tradition for ever, God willing.
محمود سعدي
2012-8-1
Ramadan is the month that Quran was revealed on it; it is a generous month which good, charity, generous and Tables of Al Rahman considered one of the most important charity works in this month as the Muslims cooperates to make this tables to feed poor people with delights and some artists present luxury tables to get reward from Allah and with every year goes, the tables of Al Rahman differs. The Tables of Al Rahman as it helps on the intimacy, love and solidarity between people and make poor people happy and the evolve of the social life inside the society and making Muslim people happy because of love, tolerance, mercy, devotion, brotherhood and kind ethics in order to help the poor and the needy to do good deeds in all cities, regions and spreading love.
حسن
2012-8-1
Ramadan is the month of fasting, charity, good and blessings, among this month good spreads and it’s a great opportunity to Muslim people to do good and charity to the poor people and help everybody have a need, and one of the most aspects of helping the poor people, people with needs and ordinary people is what we call Tables of Al Rahman which spreads everywhere of the Islamic world in the time of Iftar to feed poor and help them with best kinds of different foods and who organize this tables seeks to do good and win the reward from Allah in the month of blessings Ramadan which gain a great place and Tables of Al Rahman spreads a beautiful soul inside the societies and conceder as a type of social solidarity types, love and sympathy among people of all different and verity classes.
رفعت ال شعيب
2012-7-31
O Lord of the Heavens and Earth, make Egypt as you mentioned in your Holy book, in the name of God, most gracious, most merciful, "Come into Egypt safe, God willing.”
ليلى شويل
2012-7-31
Al Rahman Tables is a symbol of the Egyptian generosity and forgiveness and originally good for all Egyptian citizens. Since many years ago and those tables phenomenon does not change but evolve and increase, and Muslims Egyptian citizens every year for thirty days prepare Al Rahman Tables. The tables, which include delicious types of food feed and Breakfast poor and needy to create an atmosphere of intimacy between the public attending the breakfast tables across the country. Al Rahman Tables are exclusively on Egyptian territory this indicate the greatness of this authentic and generosity people. No matter circumstances reached with this people, it is not spare back down from the annual preparation of these tables as if they are a duty, love of good for others is something that is not taught or moved but it is temper in the heart, this is represents that the people of Egypt are generous. Moreover, no one came from abroad and bequeathed his knowledge of making Al Rahman Tables, but pure loving heart for good and peace and desire to help the poor and the needy.
قاسم كلخان
2012-7-26
The increase in prices is affecting the Egyptian citizen especially as the ordinary Egyptian citizen does not have the right income so he can provide reliably for his family. The income of the Egyptian citizen is not enough and does not last him till the end of the month, the Egyptian government must work to lower the prices of goods especially in the holy month of Ramadan because it is the month of mercy and must also distribute charities to help the poor and the needy and provide Ramadan food for the needy who cannot afford those goods. I hope that good prevails over Egypt, and that fit every situation there.
بدريه دويدار
2012-7-26
Egyptians are extremely tender and emotional by nature. They don’t enjoy food without having others eat with them. This is not only during Ramadan, but it’s rather a common practice in most popular areas at all times. This means that they become one family, and everything becomes blessed when people come and eat together. No wonder, this is the month of munificence and generosity, in which even the underprivileged enjoy sharing their food with family and neighbor. This is truly what gives a special flavor to this month when one is among his loved ones. May god bless Egypt as it has been very generous to everyone since olden days. Egypt gives others without expecting anything in return. Egypt symbolizes love and compassion, is like a caring mother embracing all of its children across the Arab world with gentle and affectionate love. Egypt is the one that we resort to and the one that we fall back to, so may god protect Egypt, the best place in the world.
عبد الحميد اقبال
2012-7-26
The article is good with an easy style for the regular reader who can benefit and understand it. I want to know more about the works of Prince Ahmed Ibn Tulun. Dr. Hamid al-Zini, the Professor of the Islamic history, published the best articles about the Islamic personalities from the time after Ahmed ibn Tulun till the Ottoman period. A question about the reason for changing the old Ottoman language?
عمار محمد ذنون
2012-7-26
Holy month of Ramadan witnesses many of the customs and rituals, which vary from country to country, but there are certain customs and certain rites may share the majority of the Arab world, which appear strongly in the decoration of Masjeds and reception of Taraweeh prayers performer and do in this holy month, and that in various countries of the Islamic world, Arab and foreign, as well as Rahman tables shown, which spread and strongly in poorer developing countries, which would move the rich to set up the charity banquets for feeding the poor and people who have their level under the poverty line.