Ramadan - No Food, No Water, No Fun!

Ramadan – No Food, No Water, No Fun!



Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

     Ramadan Kareem!    Blessed Ramadan! 

     We just returned from having an overpriced brunch at the InterContinental in Dubai  where we sat in a darkened room behind a wall of black drapes.  It’s Ramadan…  It’s frustrating for Westerners who like to eat three meals a day, especially for me because I don’t cook much so we eat out frequently and have food delivered.  Can’t do that during Ramadan.  



Atlantis Hotel on the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai

InterContinental Hotel, Dubai

   

    






     

     Ramadan began on July 21, 2012.  A time of fasting and prayer.  Long, hot, sunny days of fasting from dawn to dusk.  Muslims abstain from all food, drinks, cigarettes and unclean thoughts every day from sunrise to sunset during the 30 days of Ramadan. 

   

     Life for Westerners in the Middle East during Ramadan was no picnic either!  Westerners cannot eat or even take a drink of water in front of someone of the Islamic faith as a sign of respect.

     My Arabic women friends always prepared for Ramadan by having their homes cleaned top to bottom.  They bought new clothes, new furniture, new linens and particularly, new kitchen and culinary items including dinnerware, serving pieces and glassware.  They looked forward to Ramadan all year long and began their preparations days in advance by cooking and freezing various foods. 

 

Abayahs for the Women

     Restaurants were not open during the day, except in five-star hotels where Western guests are served.  Temporary black drapes were hung on all windows and the main eating area was always screened off from the lobby, out of respect for those fasting.  Hotels and restaurants officially open in the evening for ‘Iftar’ – the meal at sunset to break the daily fast. 

     Muslims typically break their fast with a few dates and a glass of water after which they have a large Iftar meal.  They celebrate with their family and friends, often reading from the Quran.  Each day before dawn, Muslims observe a pre-fast meal called ‘Suhoor’ at about 4:30 am, then the first prayer of the day begins. 

     I was privileged to share many Iftar meals with my Arab friends and their families.  Wonderful occasions with happy people celebrating their faith.  I sat on Haifa’s dining room floor at her family’s villa surrounded by women only.  We shared traditional Arabic food and the ladies used their hands to eat.  They were kind enough to provide eating utensils for me, as well as a cushion to sit on because marble floors are very unforgiving, even covered with rugs.    



Siham's Family Villa, Dubai



Haifa's Villa

     My husband and I often went out for elaborate Iftar meals at swanky hotels and restaurants where festive Ramadan tents were constructed on either the rooftop dining area or on the extensive grounds.  They were filled to the brim every evening with people of all nationalities and religions enjoying traditional Arabic mezze consisting of lamb, chicken, dates, juices, grilled vegetables and sweets on long buffet tables.  



Shisha Pipes

     Men and women smoked fragrant shisha pipes after dinner.  During Ramadan, the sale of alcohol in most outlets was restricted to after dusk.  In addition, no live music or dancing was allowed, so nightclubs tend to close for the entire month.  Cinemas limited daytime screenings of films.   

    
     Government offices, businesses and schools shortened their work and school hours all across the Middle East to about five hours per day.  Not a bad work schedule.  But, it was really hard to get any business done because of the shorter times. 

     Restaurants, dry cleaners, stores, etc., were open until 11:00 pm or midnight after a long afternoon break when people rested or napped.  Restaurant wait staff that we knew didn’t get home until 3:00 or 4:00 am.  As the month goes on, many Muslims sleep all afternoon and stay up long into the night and early morning. 

Abu Dhabi

     Supermarkets were open and food was sold during the day, but you obviously can't eat in public.  I usually packed my lunch and a large water bottle so I could eat during the day at work.  However, I would close the door to my office to have lunch, for both privacy and out of respect to my Muslim co-workers. 

     Westerners were also asked to avoid strong fragrances if you work closely with anyone who is fasting because the olfactory senses are more sensitive on an empty stomach.  As the Ramadan month progresses, people who are fasting become very tired and cranky because of sleep deprivation and fewer meals. 

     Children are encouraged to fast during Ramadan for as long as they can, but if they become too hungry, food is allowed.  However, by puberty they must fast all day just like their parents.  Exemptions to fasting are pregnant women, travel, illness, older age and women who are breast feeding.  Those who are ill or traveling are obliged to make up the days missed later on.   



Quran on Wood Holder - Jumeirah Mosque



Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

   

   Eid Mubarak!

     Happy Eid!   

    
    


     At the end of Ramadan, there is a three-four day holiday called Eid-ul-Fitr, the Festivity of Breaking the Fast.  All businesses and schools are closed for Eid. 

     Conservative Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan with a sacrificial lamb slaughtered in three parts:  one part for the needy or poor people; one part for your friends; and the last part for you and your family.  There are special slaughterhouses to have this done or some people do it themselves at home.  Feeding the poor and homeless is very important for all Muslims, particularly at the end of Ramadan.     

     My Arabic friends told me that they often visit the graves of loved ones on the morning of the last day of Ramadan before sunrise and take flowers and greenery.  They celebrate the lives of their deceased ones and pray to Muhammad the Prophet.  The Call to Prayer is heard five times a day throughout the city over all mosque loud speakers whether or not it is Ramadan.  Typically, men and women attend separate mosques, but most females pray at home.



Jumeirah Mosque, Dubai

     The timing of Ramadan is not fixed in terms of the western calendar, but each year it occurs about 11 days earlier than the previous year with the start date depending on the sighting of the moon. 

     Therefore, Islamic holidays are usually confirmed less than 24 hours in advance.  

   
     Most companies send emails to employees the day before notifying them of the confirmed holiday date.  

    I respect my Muslim friends for their faithful practice of fasting and praying during Ramadan.  I can barely manage to function if I miss breakfast, lunch or dinner, much less going without food or water for 10-12 hours every day for 30 days.  From my heart to their hearts, Peace to all of my Muslim friends during this holy month of Ramadan.     

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