Ramadan: Between ‘Family Tradition’ and ‘Great Collective Moment’, Practices Both Cultural and Religious

He quickens his pace to reach the door reserved for women. Dressed in a large powder pink robe that covers her from head to toe is Rania [elle n’a pas souhaité donner son nom de famille, comme toutes les personnes désignées uniquement par leur prénom]20 years old, goes to Daubenton Street (5^e Paris arrondissement) to attend the last Friday prayer before the start of Ramadan, a few days later. This year, the Muslim holy month begins on March 23, and like every year, hundreds of students are celebrating it. Do not eat or drink before dawn until sunset. But also respect a certain code of moral behavior, be more humble and respectful towards others, never get angry or insult.

These are some of the recommendations that should be applied during these thirty days, which are of such special importance for Muslims in the world in general and in France in particular. “This is a month that my family and I look forward to”, smiled the student. He who only covers himself when he goes to the mosque to pray, assures us that this is one of the most important practices for him. “It’s a rare opportunity to spend a few days focusing on yourself, thinking about your relationship with God and others. »

If she prays when she can, Rania doesn’t necessarily have the opportunity to devote so much time to spirituality throughout the year. Sociologists assure us that there are many in France who, like a young woman, have a special relationship with the ninth month of the lunar year in the Muslim community. “If we take a somewhat anthropological view, This is how Marie-Claire Willems, a sociologist at the University of Nanterre at the Sophiapolis Laboratory and author of Muslim, calling? (Editions du Détour, 200 pages, 18 euros), It is one of the most common practices in Islam. »

Figures are hard to come by, of course, but individual interviews and surveys conducted by researchers show a dynamic, and sometimes even an increase, in the observance of Ramadan. And this, even by those who don’t identify as practicing Muslims, or who don’t necessarily feel a particular connection to the religion, or even feel they don’t. Ramadan, the sociologist continues, is as much tied to spirituality and worship as a “Ethno-religious identity, attachment to society”.

A moment of peace