Ding-Dong!!! That's right, it's that time of year again; Ramadan is knocking at the door.
Tonight at sunset will mark the beginning of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia. This really doesn't mean much for me. There will be slight inconveniences, but nothing major. The upside is during the day time, the streets will be clear and free of traffic, the downside is the Cafe on camp has limited hours. So, you can see, I'm not affected much.
For those not in the know, Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. During this time Muslims are supposed to abstain from all those things that are forbidden during the fasting from the break of dawn to the sunset. Fasting is obligatory for all Muslims, with a few exceptions, during the month of Ramadan. I've also read that during this fasting period you're not supposed to have sex, show bad temper, or show off one's fasting by talking too much about it. The fasting person must be a pleasant person with good spirits and good cheer. I think that's a lot to ask of someone who's hungry. LOL
I've decided I'm going to go a day without eating, just to see what it's like. I fully expect to not be in good cheer, but I will try. I'm going to undertake this on Sunday the 16th. After which I will break my fast with friends at an Iftar Buffet in Khobar. These will both be new experiences for me. I know when I've tried to go a whole day on a Raw Food diet, by the time 4:00PM comes around I'm feeling homicidal. So, we'll see how I do.
If you'd like more information on Ramadan and Fasting, check out this link a friend sent me: Ramadan Fasting: Meaning and Rules
So...if you wanna know how it all worked out for me, check back on the 17th or 18th of August, and I should have updated my blog by then.
Ramadan Kareem!!
6 comments:
Gosh, I didn't realise the rules were so well defined. I'm glad I'm on a plane out of here on Thurs night!
I have heard from the girls in the office that the head of our department is a bit of a nightmare to deal with because he can't smoke. Most of my colleagues are also Muslim (non-Saudi) so I'd have to suffer through it regardless (though I could hide my water bottle and some snacks in an unused room and sneak in there when I need to). At least they keep the cafeteria open to us non-Muslims. I think I can handle one day though.
Happy Ramadan. I hope its not too inconvenient for you and your fast isn't too hard on you!
Hi Stacy...i forgot to add that they can't smoke as well. If I were a smoker, I think that has to be harder than doing without food. LOL
I think I'm gonna be alright handling one day. A Muslim friend of mine thinks I should do two days. The first day, just drink water, to get used to the idea, then on the second day, have nothing all day. I'm letting in marinate as to which way I'm gonna go.
Ramadan Kareem BCIS
Although I smoke I think the hardest thing to stay away from is Coffee. It is very hard to start the day without it. Specially when you add the fact that in Ramadan we sleep very late.
But still with all the fasting n stuff we still enjoy Ramadan very much. Outside of it's religious significance Ramadan is a time when everyone hangs out, families and relatives get together more often. Lots of dinner parties and a hole lot of TV to watch with shows released specially for Ramadan.
I hope you enjoy it.
@Hell Freak...Long time no see. Thanks for stopping back through, and for your added contribution to what Ramadan means to you.
I can see coffee being a hard one for some people. I've actually cut down on my coffee drinking a lot since I've been here. It's just too dang hot to be drinking a hot beverage, and I don't like cold coffee unless it's a coffee drink from Starbucks, like a Frappacino.
Ramadan Kareem!
nice topic
though I like eating yet fasting Ramadan has always been my favorite!
I think you should take your friend's tow-days-fasting advise :)
I'd like to clear something for Stacy:
you don't really have to hide your food in front of fasting Muslims..I mean of course it is a tactful thing to do but you are not obligated to do that at all !!
It is a Muslim's responsibility to maintain their manners and not drool all over your food while you're eating it XD
@BerryColor,
Thanks for stopping by. I suspect you're not living in Saudi Arabia. I state this because in SA we do have to "not eat" in from of them. A reminder is sent out via company memos. Which is one of many reasons why I'm glad I don't work here.
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