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Algeria | 9 Special Occasions Algeria is predominantly a Sunni Muslim country. A small minority of Mozabites (a Berber group) in central Algeria are Ibadi Muslims. The most im- portant holidays for Sunni Muslims are the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha. Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calen- dar every year. Fasting is one of the fi ve pillars of Islam essential to Sunni Islam. During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn to dusk. The fast is broken with iftar (“breaking the fast”) immediately after sunset with a date and a glass of milk or lben (a thin yogurt drink). This is followed a large feast featuring many extravagant dishes such as harira, a hearty soup made with lamb, legumes, grains, and spices, or a sweet lamb tagine with dried fruits, nuts, and honey. Rich sweets such as makroud (a fried pastry stuff ed with fi g paste) and zalabiya (deep-fried fritters drenched with honey syrup) are common Ramadan treats. The second meal for Ra- madan, suhoor, is eaten before dawn and morning prayers. Suhoor dishes often contain little or no salt, since salt induces thirst. Harsha (Quick Semolina Bread for Ramadan) 1 c fi ne semolina fl our 1 c unbleached all-purpose fl our ¼ c sugar 1 tbsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 1 c buttermilk ½ c water (or more as needed) 1 large egg 5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly Preheat oven to 400°F. Sift fl ours, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a me- dium bowl. Whisk the buttermilk, water, and egg in another medium bowl whisk in the melted butter. Add buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients stir just until incorporated (do not overmix). Bake for 20–30 minutes or until golden. Serve with butter and honey. Zakah al-fi tr is a form of charitable giving at the end of Ramadan. Muslims are expected donate food to the poor at this time so that all Muslims, regardless of their means, can celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, a three-day celebra- tion beginning on the fi rst day of the month after Ramadan. On the morning of Eid, Muslims gather for morning prayer at a mosque or in large public spaces. After Eid, people visit family and friends with platters of sweets and pastries and to exchange presents. Eid al-Adha (the Festival of Sacrifi ce) is celebrated in the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar after the hajj (the annual pilgrimage to Mecca), to honor the prophet Abraham’s willingness to obey and sac- rifi ce for Allah. Muslims commemorate this day by sacrifi cing a lamb. Organ meats are cooked and consumed on the day of the sacrifi ce the rest of the lamb is cut into portions, and much of the meat is donated to the poor. Platters of sweets, cookies, and pastries are also served. In Algeria, sacrifi cing a lamb also commemorates the birth of a child, circumcision, and marriage. Traditional Algerian weddings can last three days or more, depending on the region and the family’s wealth. Algerian weddings are comprised of sev- eral events celebrated on successive days or nights: the engagement party the henna-painting ritual the recitation of the Fatiha, the fi rst chapter of the Quran, and durud (blessings) and the wedding cel- ebration. Guests are served food every day. Con- temporary Algerian weddings can be as short as a single day and take place in a banquet facility or hotel. Diet and Health In some regions of Algeria, olive oil is highly prized for its purported medicinal value as a cure-all for minor ailments such as indigestion, headaches, and