Sheikh Tantawi

By George Bahgory

How does one capture Ramadan in a few strokes of the pen? There are the obvious symbols, of course: the crescent and the evening star, the minaret which will call the faithful to prayer and mark the rhythms of fasting and feasting... But I also chose Sheikh Tantawi's face to represent the holy month: his close-clipped beard, snowy turban and watchful eyes are familiar to television viewers all through the month.