During Ramadan, it’s almost like Egypt hits the pause button on certain activities—whether it’s weddings, cinemas, or even food choices. But are these actual traditions, or just widely believed myths?

A Break from Feseekh and Ringa

Egyptians practically have Feseekh w Ringa in their DNA. These infamous dishes are a Sham El-Nessim (Easter) staple—Feseekh is fermented, salted mullet with a smell strong enough to clear a room, while Ringa (smoked herring) has a milder, savory taste. Usually eaten with baladi bread, onions, and lemons, these salty delights are a national guilty pleasure.

But in Ramadan? Absolutely not. Not only do they make you dehydrated thanks to their salt content, but let’s be real—no one wants to break their fast in a room filled with that Feseekh aroma. That’s why Egyptians wait until Eid to indulge, gathering with their Feseekh w Ringa kits for the smelliest reunion ever.

The Koshary Dilemma

Koshary—aka every Egyptian’s unofficial middle name—is strangely absent during Ramadan. Many koshary shops shut down for the month and reopen during Eid. Why? Because no one’s ordering it!

Sure, koshary is a heavenly mix of pasta, rice, vermicelli, lentils, tomato salsa, chickpeas, fried onions, and garlic dressing, but let’s be honest—it’s a digestive nightmare while fasting. The overload of carbs, oils, and spices can be a bit too much, and don’t get us started on the dehydration it causes. So, as much as we love it, skipping koshary in Ramadan is probably for the best.

The Ramadan Effect: When Cinemas Go Quiet

Hate to break it to you, but forget date nights at the movies during Ramadan. Theaters practically vanish, as everyone swaps popcorn for prayer beads and Netflix for Taraweeh.

While cinemas don’t fully close, they barely have an audience until Eid. That’s why major film releases are always saved for after Ramadan—when people are actually willing to step out and watch something that isn’t a Ramadan series.

Weddings? Let’s Reschedule That.

Spring and summer weddings? Not during Ramadan. Weddings are usually put on hold for several reasons—people prioritize worship, everyone’s energy levels are low, and late-night wedding festivities clash with Taraweeh and Suhoor.

Instead, most couples push their weddings to Eid—combining the celebrations with their honeymoon plans. Honestly, can we normalize having Taraweeh breaks mid-wedding? Just saying.

These were some of the top things Egyptians hit pause on during Ramadan! What’s your favorite Ramadan myth? Let us know!