Technology & IT | Wednesday 16 May, 2018 10:45 am |

Twitter’s public nature allows Muslims all over the world to access real-time information and connect with one another during #Ramadan. From faith and wellness to food and entertainment, live conversations unfold during the holy month keeping everyone informed about #WhatsHappening in the moment.  

 

To enhance your #Ramadan experience, Twitter has rolled out exciting plans including the launch of new emojis, live broadcasts and much more:

 

Emojis

Want to add more character to your conversations? Include the following hashtags in your Tweets during the holy month to unlock a newly-designed crescent moon emoji:

 

Last year, we launched two additional emojis that were a great success, so we decided to bring them again to you with a new design. The first is an illustration of a date with a glass of yoghurt, that is commonly used to break fast. 

 

Live broadcast of the Holy Mosque

We’re excited to announce the Periscope broadcast of the Holy Mosque live from Makkah through @MOCI_KSA. Experience the spirit of #Ramadan this year by viewing the daily evening broadcast of the prayers from 8.30pm - 10pm KSA, brought to you by the Ministry of Culture and Information in Saudi Arabia.

 

First live show on Twitter in MENA 

In the Middle East and North Africa, we’re launching the first ever live show streaming on Twitter, #HawanahZein. The show will take place in broadcast partnership with YallaFeed and will focus on what’s happening in the Arab world on Twitter during the month of Ramadan. Sponsored by Unilever, it will air every Monday and Thursday from 12am - 12.20am KSA via @YallaFeed. The first episode will be streamed on May 17. 

 

TV Guide Direct Message experience

We’re also launching a Ramadan TV Direct Message experience on Twitter. TV viewers can send a Direct Message to the Arabic lifestyle publication @Layalina that will automatically display a variety of categories to choose from; ‘Channels’, ‘Series’, ‘TV shows’ and ‘Now showing’. Once selected, viewers will automatically receive a message that will include a list of series, TV channels, timings as well as a daily recap of their favorite series based on their selection.
 

 

Celebrity Q&A’s

Live celebrity Q&A sessions will take place exclusively on Twitter throughout the month to connect fans with their favorite stars. Fans can participate by Tweeting their questions via a specific hashtag that will be announced by the celebrity in advance of the session. 

 

Twitter Moments

During the holy month, partners across MENA will also produce Twitter Moments; which are a collection of Tweets combined into one, across different topics from food, entertainment, lifestyle, fashion, beauty and #Ramadan trending topics.

 

Twitter usage has spiked during #Ramadan2017, recording 118 million #Ramadan related conversations globally, with a 22% year on year increase. People spent 10% more time on the platform and watched 17% more videos. For example, UAE alone has recorded an 18% increase in Tweet volume in comparison to #Ramadan2016.