Egyptians dote on lanterns to light up Ramadan

CAIRO - Ahead of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, Egyptians flock to local markets to purchase colorful lanterns, known as fanoos in Arabic, for their children or to use them as ornaments for homes and workplaces.

For them, buying fanoos is almost a must as it has been a tradition for centuries.

The lanterns, mostly handmade, garnish the streets and narrow alleys of Egyptian cities during Ramadan, which starts on Thursday.