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Taking seven steps is an ancient Egyptian tradition intended to ward off the evil eye. The woman burns incense and then walks around, stepping over the sieve and repeating words such as, “The first step in the name of Allah, the second in the name of Allah and even the sixth.” These steps are also often seen at Zar ceremonies. The family members gather around both mother and child, repeating the seven steps to the sound of the banging pestle and mortar and smoke from burning incense.