Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, praying, and charitable acts isn't just observed by Muslims, but many Christians, too, participate in the annual event around the world, and the MENA especially.
StepFeed talked to nine Arab Christians to find out what Ramadan truly means to them.
Here's what they had to say:
"Growing up, Ramadan was always weird to me. I used to always get uncomfortable eating in front of my Muslim friends that I sometimes ate my lunch in the bathroom. As an adult, I absolutely love it. Everyone puts an effort into being a nicer and better person, it’s amazing.” – Bishoy from Cairo, Egypt
“Honestly, Ramadan is basically the equivalent of the Super Bowl for me, except you have it for a month. I love watching the commercials and see how creatively good or bad people are going to be.” – Sana, from Amman, Jordan
“I more or less spend my Ramadan the same way my Muslim friends do. I think it’s more of a cultural than religious month. My mom would always have iftars and invite her Muslim and Christian friends.” – Nirvana, from Cairo, Egypt
“It is basically all about the Ramadan series. That is all.” – Lana, from Sidi Kacem, Morocco
“To me, Ramadan is Christmas but for a month. The Arab community in the States – especially Muslims – where my parents and I live, take Ramadan really, really seriously and I wouldn’t want it any other way. We get invited to a different iftar every single day.” – Sallie, from San Francisco, California
“The hardest thing is not being able to eat or drink without the feeling of guilt at my workplace. So, in a way, I am also fasting because I end up not eating neither drinking.” – Michael, from El Mourouj, Tunisia
“Back where I’m from [Egypt], Ramadan was everywhere. You could just feel it in the air. Here in Dubai, I cannot say the same – it saddens me.” – Andrew, from Alexandria, Egypt
“Last year, I was taking the metro home which happened to be during iftar time. I’m very lucky to have been on the metro at that time because it was a scene that demanded to be experienced. Everyone was exchanging friendly conversations and giving each other dates, sandwiches and juices; that will always represent Ramadan to me.” – Karim, from Cairo, Egypt
“Ramadan has taught me that different people can always come together and just celebrate it as one community. On iftar tables, no one will ever ask you ‘what’s your religion?’ because on those tables, there is only the word of God.” – Mousa, from Homs, Syria