Ramadan Kareem!

Greetings Folks,

The Holy Month of Ramadan has begun in Dubai and for Muslims all around the world.    For those of you who don’t know about Ramadan, let me enlighten you a bit.  The Holy Month falls on the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar.  It’s a time of reflection for Muslims all over the world, which there are approximately 1.6 to 2 billion on the planet, depending upon who you ask. 

During Ramadan, which lasts for 30 days, Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset.  They will also refrain from negative behaviors such as cussing as well as focusing on understanding the plight of those less fortunate than themselves.

As you can imagine, this is a very spiritual time for the Muslim population.  Since I have been here, I’ve heard various stories about what Dubai is like during the month of Ramadan.  Now, in general, I strive not to break any laws or give the wrong impression while in Dubai.  Well, I guess that stands true at any time in my life.  But, I am extra vigilant here. LOL. 

Now, Ramadan has come and gone dozens of times throughout my life and I can’t say I ever remember it having any impact on my life.  Living in a Muslim country, changes all of that.  As you may or may not know, when the Muslims fast, they don’t even drink water.  So, for a non-Muslim to openly partake in food and drink during fasting hours is considered rude and even against the law.  Yup, I said against the law. 

Dubai is usually less conservative than other parts of the UAE and certainly other parts of the Middle East, but during Ramadan you can be fined for drinking in your car or otherwise out in public.  Other parts of the Middle East (like Pakistan) are known for sending people to jail for eating and drinking in public during Ramadan.  It is serious business for them. 

The cafeteria in our office building has its windows blocked out and it has reduced hours.  I feel like I’m going to a speakeasy when I go in there.  J For my non-American friends, a speakeasy is like a secret bar/club that existed during prohibition.  I feel sorry for the folks who work behind the counter because most are Muslim and they have to serve us while they refrain from eating and drinking. 

Most restaurants are closed during the day and you generally can only get served in hotels.  My hotel has a shop that serves take-away food 24 hours a day.  Even they have it blocked out so you can’t see the food when passing through the lobby. 

The one thing that comes to mind as I experience all of this is, I have MUCH respect for the Muslims in America who observe Ramadan faithfully.  You know in America we have fast food chains on every corner and you can smell the food of many restaurants all out in the street. 

People at work are NOT gonna hide their food from you and many may offer you a taste! SMH.  For the past couple of days (Ramadan started Sunday, which is a work day for us) I have been sneaking away to the break room to drink my coffee or even a cup of water.  When you go down to the covered cafeteria, it’s like an expat party up in there!  Everybody’s eating and drinking, but they finish up and wipe their mouths before leaving. SMH.  I carry my bag with me in case I have some contraband to take back to the office.  LOL. 

 Dancing, singing, chewing gum, wearing tight or revealing clothes and even engaging in an argument is frowned upon during Ramadan.  Many just leave the country during this time.  That is why it is so slow during this time, as well as it being hot as hell, but that’s a different post.  Holiday leave goes up dramatically for Ramadan.  Even I plan to take vacation for a week, but that wasn’t because of Ramadan. J

Now in the evening after the sun goes down, the Muslims can break their fast.  The meal is called ‘Iftar,’ which means  “to break the fast.”  A good time NOT to be on the road or crossing the street is when these folks are trying to get to an Iftar.  Dubai is already an accident-prone city, but the number of accidents goes up during Ramadan when people are rushing to break their fast (I swear there is a siren outside of my building right now…no lie).  Folks here already stay up late because it’s so damn hot during the day, but since they can’t eat and drink until after sunset, the meals go late into the night.

You hear a lot about the Iftars because the amount of food served is legendary and everyone is in such a good mood (food has that affect when you are hungry), but there is also something called the ‘Suhoor.’  This is the first meal of the day that occurs before the sun comes up.  After eating so much the night before, I can’t imagine getting up at 4am to eat again.  But, then again I don’t fast during the day for a month.

As you can imagine, prayer is also magnified during the Holy Month.  We all know Muslims pray five times a day facing Mecca.  Well, the prayers are extra long during Ramadan.  How do I know that?  Did I mention to you all that the hotel I stay in is adjacent to a mosque?  Al Rigga Mosque.  The mosque is so popular, that it is the only way people know where my hotel is, which just opened in April.  As soon as you inform the taxi driver that it is adjacent to Al Rigga Mosque they say, “Oh yes, I know this place.”

Listen, the calls to prayer are projected over a mega phone, like most mosque.  It is currently 11pm here and the prayers and singing just stopped.  It is a REALLY loud mega phone, but I have nothing against them getting their prayer on.  If it was Yolanda Adams I wouldn’t say word, so it is what it is.

After this fasting, restraint, prayer and charity goes on for 30 days, Eid al-Fitr signals the end of Ramadan.  I experienced this in Kenya once and it appears to be a big celebration.  Even though Kenya is a country that is almost 80% Christian, everybody comes out for Eid AND it’s a public holiday.  The Kenyans are ALWAYS down for a party.  That’s why I love them.  LOL.  I am looking forward to experiencing Eid here in Dubai.  It should be something to see.

One thing this experience is teaching me is that it’s good to be respectful of observances of other religions.  You may learn a little something in the process and understand people a little more.  I’ve always had a respect for Muslims and the Islamic religion because I’ve always had family members who are Muslims (let me holla at Patsy, Chenita and Rashidah).  I know a little more than I did back then, but the respect has always been there. 

During this Holy Month, it’s customary to greet people with ‘Ramadan Kareem,’ which means ‘Blessed Ramadan.’  My little cousin Rashidah (she is a grown woman with children, but still my little cousin) responds with the term ‘Ramadan Mubarak.’ Try it, as well as NOT chowing down in front of your Muslim friends during this time.  They will appreciate the gesture.

I will see y’all here next week.  I will be writing from Bali, Indonesia.  You know I can’t stay in one place long. ;-)

Ramadan Kareem everybody!

Della Rochelle

Copyright © 2014 by Della R. Williams