Ramadan holds great sanctity in the hearts of Moroccans. They excel in welcoming the holy month and are deeply committed to preserving its sanctity. As soon as the crescent moon of Ramadan appears, the ululations of women rise in some areas, expressing their joy and anticipation for this month of obedience.

Congratulatory messages are exchanged via phone and social media, while the scents of incense and perfume waft from homes. The faces of people light up with love and happiness, transforming their everyday concerns into a divine state that invokes mercy and blessings.

One of the ways this month is honoured is through the decision of many smokers and addicts to quit, with Ramadan serving as a turning point for some to stop smoking and repenting from alcohol use. Ramadan is seen as an opportunity and a spiritual school for changing lives.

The arrival of Ramadan is considered one of the greatest blessings, with each minute carrying immense value, weighed on the scales of gold. Those who are grateful for this blessing seize it eagerly, and the true winners are those who profit from their spiritual trade with God Almighty during this month. By doing so, they may catch a breath of its blessed air and attain happiness in both this world and the hereafter, escaping the fate of those deprived of forgiveness during this month of mercy.

Moroccans glorify the month of Shaaban in anticipation of Ramadan

Like other Muslims, Moroccans honour the month of Shaaban by fasting for its first half, or at the very least fasting on the fifteenth day, and praying during its nights. This is a time to seek God’s mercy, ask for His forgiveness, and expose themselves to His virtues.

When the crescent moon of Shaaban appears, Moroccans begin to congratulate each other with phrases like “Mabrouk La Awashir,” “Awashir Mabrouka,” or “Mubarak Awashirkum,” depending on regional expressions. These greetings are meant to invoke blessings for the month of Shaaban, express anticipation for the coming month of Ramadan, and pray that God grants them the opportunity to reach the holy month.

One of the signs of joy in anticipation of Ramadan is that during the second half of Shaaban, Moroccans initiate campaigns to clean and maintain mosques. The builders of mosques compete to accommodate worshippers—both men and women—who come to perform the obligatory prayers as well as the Tarawih prayers. Women also focus on tidying and decorating their homes, as Ramadan is not only a time for spiritual renewal but also a time to renew family bonds and provide hospitality to others.

The spirit of the mosque and the Quranic atmosphere

A beautiful manifestation of Moroccans' reverence for the month of fasting is the filling of mosques with worshippers, especially during the Tarawih prayers. The streets and alleys surrounding the mosques also become crowded with rows of people, many striving to stay in the mosque or rush to secure a spot in the front row. This reflects the deep connection Moroccans have to their religion.

Throughout the holy month, a variety of educational programs are organised from dawn until late at night. These include sermons by scholars and preachers. Although the Ministry of Endowments monitors and sometimes restricts certain scholars' opinions, many continue to offer guidance, answering people’s questions about life and reality.

Quranic competitions are held after the noon prayers, and after the afternoon prayer, time is set aside for collective recitation of a regular section of the Quran—a practice that Moroccans are known for throughout the year, especially after the sunset prayer.

The atmosphere of the mosque and the Quranic spirit permeate everywhere. The best imams, known for their beautiful voices and recitations, are chosen to lead the Tarawih prayers. The minarets of mosques resound with hymns, further elevating the spiritual energy around the Quran.

A time for charity, family ties, and reconciliation

For Moroccans, Ramadan is also an opportunity to engage in charitable acts, particularly through Iftar tables, charity, and feeding the poor. It strengthens family ties through social visits and communal Iftars. The values of love, cooperation, and brotherhood are emphasised during this "month of consolation." As the beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in his sermon at the beginning of Ramadan: “It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is paradise. It is the month of consolation. Whoever provides Iftar to a fasting person during it will have his sins forgiven, his neck freed from the fire, and will receive a reward like his, without anything being diminished from his reward.”

Seeking the night of power and celebrating the first fast of children

One of the beautiful customs during Ramadan in Morocco is the celebration of children fasting for the first time. On the twenty-seventh day of Ramadan, Moroccan families make a special effort to celebrate and encourage their children’s first fast. This not only trains them in fasting but also instills a love for Islamic rituals and emphasises the importance of fasting as a pillar of the faith.

Families organise special Iftar meals in honour of the children who are fasting, offering praise for their perseverance. Henna and decoration parties are often held for fasting girls as a way to mark the occasion. Although there may be some unusual or even illegitimate rituals associated with this celebration, the central focus for Moroccans remains the pursuit of the reward of the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr) and the spiritual significance of the final ten days of Ramadan.