Ramadan

Ramadan has just begun here in the UAE! For those not familiar, here's some general info on Ramadan...

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is one of the most important months for Muslims as it is believed this is the month that the Qu'ran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. During this month all healthy Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset when they must refrain from all food, drink, gum chewing, any kind of tobacco use, and any kind of intimacy.

During Ramadan most Muslims will tend to wake up just before sunrise to eat a meal or some food and this is known as Suhoor. They will then not be able to eat or drink again until sunset when it is traditional to open the fast with a date and then eat and this meal is known as Iftar.

All residents have to respect the month of Ramadan- which means adopting specific rules in public places during daylight hours.

For everybody in the UAE, during Ramadan, it is strictly forbidden:

- To eat in public places between sunrise and sunset, even chewing gum - this includes in your car!

- To drink (even water) or smoke in public places between sunrise and sunset

- To drink alcohol during the day, even in a hotel bar

- To listen to loud music other than religious in a public place

At home, you remain free to do what you want, as long as it does not interfere with religious practices of Muslims.

Because of the prohibition of eating in public places during the day, almost all restaurants are closed for lunch.

Ramadan is not a fixed date according to the European calendar. Its start and end are based on lunar cycles, moving about 10 days each year.

The exact dates of beginning and end of Ramadan are not known in advance..

Some businesses change their opening hours – usually business hours are shorter allowing for those that fast to take rest and reflect during the day time. My work schedule isn't affected bc school closes by 3 anyways, but Felipe's work is closing at 3 during this month.

I'm also able to eat and drink at school because kids don't fast so we are able to eat normally, although I of course try to be respectful of my coworkers who are fasting. My gym allows the drinking of water because obviously it's unhealthy not to drink water while you're working out. They've discouraged those fasting from working out during daylight hours because they're unable to drink water. There are also signs around the gym reminding you that while you can drink water, to please drink water "discreetly". I still don't really get how one drinks water discreetly during a class but I'm doing my best...

My fear (and probably the fear of most expats here) is to forget it's Ramadan and start drinking water in public. Not drinking water in public is difficult, especially because summer temperatures are well over 100 degrees, and knowing that I can't drink water makes me want it so much more!