Religion, Festivals, and Holidays

The most common religion in Egypt is Islam; about 94% of the population is Sunni Muslim. Most other Egyptians are Christian Orthodox of the Coptic, or Egyptian, Church. Smaller religious minorities include Shi’i Muslims, Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Jews. (See Religion in Essentials.)

Of the several mawlid (birthdays) celebrated throughout the country, the most important is Mawlid an-Mabi, the birthday of the prophet Muhammad (Aug. 30). Smaller, local mawlids take place in mosques or at the shrines of particular religious figures. Check with tourist offices for details. Also festive are the two Sufi rituals of Zikr and Zahr. In the former, a rhythmic group dance builds in fervor, and the group members become whirling dervishes, mesmerized into a communal trance. The latter is a group dance performed by women, primarily as an exorcism rite. Both rituals are practiced on Fridays in many populous areas.

During the month of Ramadan (begins approx. Feb. 11), devout Muslims do not eat or drink anything during daylight hours. Ramadan culminates in the three-day festival of Eid al-Fitr (approx. March 11). Muslims also celebrate Eid al-Adha (May 17), a remembrance of Abraham’s intended sacrifice of his son Ishmael which coincides with the hajj to Mecca, and Isra wal-Mi’raj (Jan. 10), which celebrates Muhammad’s Night Journey. Government offices and banks close during the festivals, but tourist facilities remain open.

Sham an-Nissim (April 27), falls on the first Monday after Coptic Easter. Though its origins are a hodgepodge of Coptic and pharaonic influences, it has developed into a secular holiday. Egyptians traditionally spend the day on a picnic eating fasikh, a dried, salted fish difficult for most Western palates to appreciate. The Coptic celebrations of Easter and Christmas are tranquil affairs marked by special church services.

The major national holidays, observed officially by banks and government offices but without public celebration are Sinai Day (April 25), Labor Day (May 1), Revolution Day (July 23), and Victory Day (Dec. 23).