Nouakchott — Mauritanians take the month of Ramadan very seriously. Many activities catered to youth, however, infuse a sense of competition and fun into the holy month.

One popular religious contest started on Monday (July 22nd). Some 1,000 young people are competing in the week-long event organised by the Islamic Affairs Ministry.

Categories include the recitation of Qur'an, Hadith, Maliki fiqh and Sunnah. For the first time this year, Arabic is among the competitions.

"This contest adds to the great achievements by the government, such as printing the Qur'an, the creation of a radio station to broadcast the Qur'an, the opening of an Islamic university at Ayoun, and the substantial financial support provided to imams and teachers at religious schools," ministry official Abdullahi Mohamed Ould Moustaf told Magharebia.

The National Gendarmerie also launched its own annual competition, which will run until the 27th of Ramadan.

The tournament focuses on the recitation of the Qur'an and Hadith, as well as competitors' grasp of the Sunnah, fiqh and the history of Mauritania.

"The contest aims to enhance the educational and scientific level of police forces and their families, as well as retirees of this institution, in this blessed month, rich in spiritual values," Gendarmerie Colonel Chibih Ould Hama said.

The government on July 10th began this year's "Operation Ramadan", which provides subsidies for basic necessities and helps mosques feed the poor.

During the holy month, Mauritanian media outlets air special shows.

"I stay connected all day to the radio and TV that broadcast religious programmes, as well as ones on social issues such as squandering, corruption, and theft in addition to serials on the life of the Prophet (PBUH)," high school senior Aicha Mint Ahmed told Magharebia.

Ramadan in Mauritania is not only worship. Citizens continue to go about their daily business.

Nouakchott's largest informal market, "Point Chaud", is bustling with customers. Everything is bought and sold here, especially mobile phones and computer equipment.

Ba Sidi, who has a stall in the market, said: "Work during Ramadan gives a person an additional value."

After the breaking of the fast, Mauritanians meet up with their friends and family.

Picnic areas are erected on the shifting sands of the desert. Young people in small groups sip mint tea and hold gallant discussions in the moonlight.

Other young Mauritanians go to cyber cafes and restaurants in the cities.

"It is here that I meet my friends every night," student Sidati Ould Lefdal said at Café Tunisien in Nouakchott.

"We spend a good part of the night discussing our issues," he added.