Fanoos - The Treasure Box

Fanoos
~ a Ramadan lantern
www.the-treasure-box.co.uk
Fanoos
~ Ramadan Lantern
‘Fanoos’ is the Arabic word for lantern. A Fanoos is similar
to a lamp, only it is lit by a candle instead of oil. It is mainly
used during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
The Fanoos has become the symbol of Ramadan - the practice started during the era of the Mamluk’s rule over the
Near East and Egypt. Fatimid Caliph Al Hakim Bi-Amr Illah
wanted to light the streets of Cairo during Ramadan nights,
so he ordered all the Imams of mosques to hang Fanoos
that could be illuminated by candles. As a result, the
Fanoos has become a custom that has never been
abandoned.
www.the-treasure-box.co.uk
Make a Decorative Fanoos
You can make an excellently designed fanoos for your
home and festoon your windows with these colourful
lanterns.
I cannot claim credit for this design, but discovered
it on www.americasmuslimfamily.com which is well
worth exploring. I think it is a wonderful lantern, but
it is a bit fiddly and would recommend that you make
it yourself before trying it with children.
What you need:
A4 Card ~ metallic card is very effective, but you can
use any colour.
Coloured tissue paper
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Hole Puncher or craft puncher
Craft knife optional (Adults only!)
Glue stick
Instructions:
1. Copy, or print out, the lantern template.
2. Cut on the solid lines and score and fold on the dashed lines (score by using a
straight edge and a pen and heavily mark on the lines on the inside of your fanoos,
this makes it easier to fold it up in the end).
3. Cut out the gray rectangles or cut any shapes you like, keeping in mind you want
the colours to show through. (This may be easier if an adult to cuts them out with a
craft knife instead of scissors.)
4. Use a hole puncher or a craft punch to cut out shapes in the top portions of your
lantern.
5. Using a glue stick paste around the holes you’ve made and cover them with
brightly coloured tissue paper.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Glue or tape a piece of ribbon or yarn to the top of your fanoos.
Coat the inside of the “A” flaps with your glue stick.
Begin folding your fanoos, by lining up the “A” flaps over the “B” flaps—1 to 4.
You may have to insert a pencil or your finger inside the final flaps so you can
press the flap down on something firm.
10. Hang your fanoos in a sunny window and you’ll see the colours light up!
www.the-treasure-box.co.uk
Make a Decorative Fanoos (2)
This is an easier lantern design and
may be more suitable for younger
children. It is similar to a paper
Chinese lantern but the paper is
decorated using Islamic patterns,
They will, again, look wonderful
festooned at your windows.
What you need:
Scissors
Crayons, paints, felt tips
Glue, tape
Glitter (optional)
Lantern template printed on thin
card or paper
Instructions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Print and colour in the template.
Fold the paper in half lengthways with the line facing out.
Make a sharp crease on the folded edge.
Use scissors to cut into the folded edge of the card along the dotted
lines.
5. Now unfold the paper and roll the paper around so the two short edges
are together.
6. Put glue down one of the short sides of the paper and press the two
short edges together to make the lantern.
7. Glue a strip of paper to the top of the lantern to make a handle.
8. Hang your fanoos in a window to make a lovely Ramadan display.
www.the-treasure-box.co.uk