In Cairo, an artist captivated the audience by twirling to the sound of folk music, dressed in a long red dress, during a cultural and spiritual performance celebrating the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan.
Afnan Shaher whirled for nearly two hours, delivering his own interpretation of this ancient ritual. His art is inspired by the tradition of whirling dervishes, stemming from the Sufi practices of the Mevlevi order.
Long dominated by men, this discipline remains difficult for women to access. The artist herself says she faces a great deal of criticism because of her practice. But she is determined to follow her own path and refuses to conform to the expectations of others. "If we all become the same, nothing will happen. We would only repeat the same experiences. God didn't create us for that," she explains.
The whirling dance is not just a spectacle: it is a spiritual ritual, symbolizing an inner journey towards a greater closeness to God. This mystical dimension makes it a particularly popular form of entertainment during Ramadan, a period marked by prayer, reflection, and contemplation.
For Afnan Shaher, this practice can also play an important role for women. She hopes to travel the world to share her vision of this art. According to her, this experience allows women to reconnect with their bodies, themselves, their souls, and the presence of God within them.
The show's organizer, Hadeer Farghaly, also emphasizes the spiritual dimension of the evening, which she describes as a moment dedicated to love, love of God, self-love, and freedom.
In Egypt, Ramadan is also a particularly festive time. Colorful lanterns of various shapes and sizes decorate the streets and homes, while children carry them by hand. Traditional Ramadan songs also resonate in homes and neighborhoods to celebrate this month of fasting and sharing.
