During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast daily from sunrise to sunset. The iftar, the breaking of the fast, which takes place at nightfall, is an opportunity to get together with family to share a meal in a festive atmosphere. However, for the thousands of Muslims currently serving sentences in French prisons, it is difficult to find the same conviviality, explains an inmate imprisoned in the Franche-Comté region whom the France 24 Observer editorial team was able to contact.
(…) But for Muslim prisoners in France, it is not always possible to share the Ramadan meal. That’s why some have turned to TikTok to share their experiences and celebrate the holy month on social media.
(…) Adam (pseudonym) is a 24-year-old young man currently imprisoned in the Franche-Comté region of France. He uses a phone he purchased in prison to share videos on TikTok.
“I got the phone in prison. It’s very easy to get one and use it. I started making videos on TikTok to share my daily life and keep in touch with the outside world. I celebrate Ramadan, but it’s still more difficult than outside because of course you’re much more restricted in your options.”
A video posted on TikTok on March 6 shows ingredients Adam uses to cook his iftar meal.
“Here, 90% of people observe Ramadan [There are no official statistics on the number of Muslims in French prisons. However, in 2016, the Ministry of Justice reported that about 26% of the prison population requested special arrangements during the month of Ramadan, editor’s note.”
(…) The French concept of secularism is still applied in prisons, but some special arrangements are made during Ramadan. Some prisons offer meals adapted to fasting during the month of Ramadan. These are often richer meals for dinner. (…) France 24