Ramadan in the West Bank and Jerusalem

Dating to 1910, the bakery of Abu-Shadi Abu-Sneineh has almost become a landmark in the Old City of Jerusalem. Located in the lively al-Saadiyeh neighborhood, Abu-Shadi’s bakery is famous for its one-of-a-kind Jerusalemite ka’ek (i.e. sesame bagels) and the wide variety of bread and pastries made throughout the holy month of Ramadan.

Qatayef Da’na is one of the oldest shops selling Qatayef in Jerusalem, characterized by its unique way of making Qatayef, and its decades-long customer retention.
Qatayef comes at the top of Ramadan’s dessert menu and is one of the most famous and delicious traditional middle eastern desserts.

Ramdan is famous for its delicious Barazeq – a type of sesame cookie that is not easy to master and is baked in wood-fired ovens. Barazeq has been made in the city of Jerusalem for a long time. Thousands coming from different places visit the Old City of Jerusalem daily and cannot resist the appetizing aroma of its Barazeq.

During the month of Ramadan, people tend to decorate their homes with lanterns, bringing joy to their children. The habit of buying Ramadan-lanterns dates to the Fatimids in Egypt.

A child from al-Razem family in the Old City of Jerusalem, Bab Hutta.
Bab Hutta is one of the doors leading to al-Aqsa Mosque and is considered the most beautiful in Ramadan, decorated with lanterns and lights, and passed through by tens of thousands coming from different cities to enjoy the beauty of the decorated Old City during the holy month.

Two elderly men sitting in front of their shops in the Old City of Hebron. Housing the Ibrahimi Mosque, the Old City of Hebron is one of the most famous Palestinian areas visited by thousands of people from inside and outside the country.
In the photo, Hajj Izzo Dais al-Husseini, the elder of al-Husseini family in Hebron, and Haj Yassin Dais al-Husseini.

Hebron – The Old City

Karabeej Halab (or Aleppo cookies) is a traditional middle-eastern dessert, originally from Syrian cuisine. It is a sugar-syrup based dessert, in addition to flour and eggs. Muslims tend to buy karabeej halab more during the holy month of Ramadan.