Ramadan Kareem/Eid Mubarak

Since the purpose of this blog is to give you a feeling for what life is like in Dubai and the various places that I visit throughout the Middle East, I thought that it would not be right to go any further without describing the holy month of Ramadan.

A week after I arrived in Dubai, the month of Ramadan arrived. I was sort of deeply dreading this month for I knew things sort of slowed down and the loud music was turned off after I had been moving at a high speed pulsating dance music party mix type pace all summer.

The dates of the month of Ramadan change every year. The month begins about 10 days earlier each year due to the fact that our calendar is based on a solar calendar while the Muslim calendar is lunar. I have had my few stints with Ramadan throughout my time at the Univ. of Wa. I had several Muslim friends who were fasting and one day, I tried fasting but did not make it so far as Solstice cafe without giving in to my morning latte. I realized at that time that fasting and Ramadan is a spiritual matter with meaning behind it that I did not quite yet understand.

During the thirty days of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise (dawn) to sunset (dusk). This does not only mean food but also water, beverages, smoking, displays of affection towards the opposite sex and cursing. The month of fasting is important to Muslims for a few reasons: to bring them closer to G_d and their belief, and to humble them and make them remember those who are starving and in need. It was during the month of Ramadan that the Qu'ran or the messages were revealed to their Prophet which I truly find remarkable.

I learned a lot throughout the month of Ramadan and wish that I spent a month out of every year partaking in these types of spiritual, and cultural activities which bring families and friends together, make people behave in a humble and nice way and sort of re-charge the battery if you will. After all of the books I read, and people that have taught me about Ramadan, I learned the most from my students and co-workers. They enjoy Ramadan. It is not a burden to them. And they explained to me that Ramadan is not about trying to fast but it is a simple act that only requires you to relax and give up your daily habits of consumption. Muslims usually read from the Qu'ran every evening or go to the mosques. Families get together and eat and gather together every evening for a festivity which is called Iftar.

At the end of Ramadan, the Eid holiday is announced which is equivalent in importance to the West's Christmas. Adults give children money in small increments (like 10 5dirham bills for example), people buy each other new clothes, people wear new clothes and of course, people get together and eat. Like I mentioned the re-charging your battery, Eid marks the beginning of a new year for Muslims hence the new clothes. Raheela, my colleague and now good friend, even fed me the traditional sweet noodles that Pakistanis eat on Eid.

In the U.A.E., drinking, smoking, eating, chewing gum, and playing loud music is all prohibited during the month of Ramadan. At first I thought it would be such a burden and I will admit that I came home from shopping outings or from school quite dehydrated. However, when Eid arrived, I realized that I had learned from my colleagues, and students how meaningful and beautiful this time of year really is and in the end enjoyed partaking in the rituals and experiencing this holiday in a Muslim country. Eid Mubarak to all of my beloved friends and family! Have a wonderful year!