Ramadan Time

Here is an email that was sent to everyone at school about Ramadan and what to expect for those of you who would like to learn a little bit more. I found it interesting.

Ramadan Time
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An article by Ruby Lockhart

My first Ramadan in Doha was an eye-opener and a steep learning curve of rules and traditions.
It was also the first time that I was able to register my car at midnight!
Some more experienced expats told me it was a good time to take a holiday as things shut down or operate differently. Others looked forward to the reduced working hours and feasting at night.

I quickly learned through observation and asking around that for Muslims it is a time of self sacrifice, charity, contemplation and family.

Indeed Ramadan is the holiest time of the Islamic faith akin to the most important events in other religions. Ramadan starts with the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar which means that seasons change albeit slowly and the actual start date is determined by the moon. It is a month of fasting for Muslims who will not eat and abstain from other activities between sunrise and sunset. Despite this, my Muslim friends told me Ramadan is an auspicious time and they look forward to it.

Of course, the rules are not negotiable and non Muslims MUST respect what this means.

So what happens and what's the impact to lifestyle during these four weeks in Doha?

•Cafes and restaurants are closed during the day (with the exception of some discreet areas within hotels and some restaurants). You can still buy food during the day e.g. at supermarkets and bakeries.

•Less happens during the day with trading and operating times for shops, services and businesses changing to later split shifts. For example, government departments may be open until 1 and 2am!

•The traffic is extremely bad after 8pm – often grid locked. This is because everything is operating at this time and locals are travelling to meet friends and family.

•Reduced working hours means extra leisure time for some.

•During Ramadan the hotels do special 'Ramadan tent' buffets for families, friends and business groups to enjoy. There are special dishes and even entertainment at these events.

•The hotels also observe Ramadan by not serving alcohol - even the mini bars are locked or emptied. This means no licensed restaurants, bars, lounges or clubs.

General tips:

1.Do not eat or drink in public during the day, including a swig of water, smoking & chewing gum – there are serious consequences for this.

2.Being modest is even more important at this time.

3.If you are not working arrange things at home instead of out.

4.Try to complete your outings and business earlier in the day, at least before 8pm.

5.Try not to be on the roads at dusk as motorists are low in sugar and in a hurry to join their families for Iftar.

6.Do not go to QDC on Ramadan eve – it's like Tesco 24 Dec!

Tips at work:

1.Check if there are any arrangements for non Muslims.

2.Avoid lunch meetings or meetings later in the day and social work functions during Ramadan.

3.Less may be accomplished owing to the reduced working hours and leave which is common especially in the last week.

You should expect:

•Your Qatar Distribution Centre (QDC) allowance to increase the month prior to Ramadan as it is closed for four weeks.

•To take two or three times longer to travel across the city at night.

•Late night entertaining and noise. Too bad if you live in a popular area like Al Saad – there is no avoiding the buzz.

•To eat and shop later.

•That Muslims may be tired and low in energy especially later in the day and towards the end of Ramadan – remember their last meal was before sunrise, they have stayed up late and the days are longer during summer.

•To be offered Arabic coffee and dates at shops and restaurants after sunset which is the traditional way to break the fast.

•The Airport and travel to be congested leading up to and including Eid.

•Promotions and sales often decorated with traditional Bedouin weaving for home wares, food, gifts, travel, hotels and cars.

•To see special food like pancakes, dates, dried fruit, massive packets of rice, legumes, and spices for night time family gatherings at home.

•Services like tailors and jewelers to be busy leading up to Eid and may prioritize the local customers.

•Charity stalls and efforts during Ramadan.

Here's a few terms you may hear around Ramadan:

Iftar: Breaking of the fast immediately after sunset. Iftar takes place at Maghrib as soon as the Call to Prayer (Adhan).

Sahoor: The pre-fast meal before dawn with first prayer of the day.

Ramadan Kareem: Direct translation is generous Ramadan. It is a time for giving to the less fortunate, family and being thankful.

Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Eid: Two lots of public holidays after Ramadan. Actual days off can vary between industries e.g. government organisations and schools may have more days off.

Eid Al Fitr: Three-day festival marking the end of Ramadan.

Eid al-Adha: Celebrated approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.

Eid Mubarak: Greeting meaning "Have a happy and blessed Eid" expressed at the end of Ramadan.

It is definitely worth learning more about Ramadan from your Muslim colleagues, neighbors and friends or the Internet. Knowing what happens and why it's significant may help you to appreciate and adjust to Ramadan time.