The magic of Ramadan

By George Bahgory

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I am a Copt who fasts in Ramadan, an artist with a penchant for mysticism. I get into a mystic trance whenever I paint, and since I paint 18 hours a day, I am mystic all the time. And since I eat once a day, at night, I am fasting all the time. I love Ramadan. I spend part of the year in Paris and the month of Ramadan with my friends in Cairo. This year, I was a few days late and to make up for it I painted overtime.

My friends make fun of me, calling me Ramadan's most prolific artist. Perhaps they are right. I have filled over 10 sketchbooks with hundreds of drawings and paintings about Ramadan. I must have painted worshippers and Ramadan charity banquets dozens of times, and can't get myself to stop. Here is my impression of Ramadan. Here is my obsession with Ramadan. And may you all enjoy the month as much as I do.