As a predominantly Muslim country, many Egyptian holidays are determined by the lunar calendar. Sinai Liberation Day on 25 April and National Day on 23 July are two of the important public holidays.
Egypt is famous for its many festivals and carnivals, also called mulids. Although these are typically associated with a particular Coptic or Sufi saint, they are celebrated by most Egyptians, irrespective of their creed or religion. The Eid al Fitr holiday, which marks the end of Ramadan, is celebrated with much pomp and splendour in Egypt. People eat out in restaurants and cafés and shop for sweets at bazaars. The ancient spring festival of Sham en Nisim had been celebrated in Egypt for thousands of years. For Moulid El Nabi, shops are decorated with candy horses and dolls, traditional holiday gifts for Egyptian boys and girls.
|
