What is Ramadan?

Every year, more than one billion Muslims around the globe observe the Holy month of Ramadan.Taking place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (which is lunar), Ramadan officially starts when the new crescent moon is sighted.

A time for reflection, worship and self-control, Muslims show their devotion to God (aka Allah) by abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking and other physical desires from sunrise to sunset throughout the month, while at the same time avoiding sinful thoughts and deeds. These are just some of the activities that are intended to promote spiritual development through self-sacrifice and clean living and, as a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.

Photograph: Arab Media Group file

Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. They make peace with anyone they feel has wronged them, they strengthen ties with family and friends, and do away with bad habits – the idea being to clean up their lives, thoughts, and feelings

What are the origins of Ramadan?

In Islamic belief, the Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) was spoken to by God on a date known as Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power. God gave Mohammed the teachings of the Qur'an and set him on his path to becoming a prophet and the founder of the Islamic faith. All Muslim sects believe that the Night of Power occurred during the month of Ramadan, although there is some disagreement as to the specific date. Still, the event is so much a cornerstone of Islam that the entire month is given over to its remembrance. According to the legend, Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was sitting alone in the wilderness when suddenly the angel Gabriel came to him with a golden tablet in his hands. The angel told Mohammad to read what was written on the tablet. What was on this golden tablet is said to be the essence of the Qur'an, just as the Ten Commandments that Moses received on Mount Sinai were the basis of the Bible's Old Testament.

Photograph: Joseph J  Capellan

Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?

 Fasting is not just physical. It is the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast and is one of the five duties that a person must live by if they are Muslim.

Known as the five pillars of Islam, they are the obligatory practices that form the foundation of Muslim life. These five pillars are testimony of faith, prayer, fasting, tithing or alms-giving, and the Hajj.

The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) means "to refrain" but it doesn’t refer only to refraining from food and drink, but from sinful actions, thoughts, and words. Rather than being seen as depriving yourself, it is seen as liberating yourself, freeing your mind from flights of passion, fits of temper and being controlled by carnal urges.

During Ramadan, the whole body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from swearing, insults and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In this way, every part of the body observes the fast.

Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul of impurities and re-focus on the worship of God.

Fasting starts just before sunrise and ends at sunset. Timings for the breaking of fast (or iftar) vary but are often published in national daily newspapers and websites as well as broadcasted on television for the public’s guidance. Only children, pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating women and people who are travelling or sick are exempted, but all other able-bodied Muslims are required to fast.

What’s daily life like in Dubai during Ramadan?

For many non-Muslim expatriates living in the UAE, the social mores associated with Ramadan bring mixed feelings as obligated lifestyle adjustments are made.

The biggest change for most is having to avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public. In the worst case, failure to do so can result in arrest. In practice, this means no cups of tea or coffee while sitting at your desk at work, as well as no snacking or smoking in your car. In addition, dancing and loud music is forbidden so nightclubs close for the month of Ramadan.

Some expats cope with the demands of Ramadan by leaving the UAE. It’s a popular time of year for visiting family back in their home country or going on holiday.

Conversely, other expats adopt an ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ approach, choosing to take part in the rituals and attitudes of Ramadan. This can be a very rewarding and interesting experience and the reality is that, for non-Muslims, Ramadan brings both benefits and inconveniences.

On the plus side, it can mean a shorter workday and plentiful food thanks to the many ‘tables of mercy’ offering free Iftar across the city, or in their own workplaces, as well as the opportunity to experience a culture and fascinating customs very different from their own. On the not so positive side, Ramadan can cause business projects to slow down or stall and there’s no doubt that the corporate world feels the squeeze in their back accounts.

As mentioned earlier, smoking, eating and drinking are forbidden during the day, forcing non-fasting expats to alter their daily routines and for some it is the small things, like being unable to have a cup of coffee at their desk, that are the biggest annoyances. In addition, the widespread closure of restaurants and cafes during the day has inconvenienced many expats, of whom some find themselves fasting alongside their Muslim colleagues and friends out of necessity rather than empathy – they simply can’t find anywhere to buy food. In recent years though, more leniency has been allowed and some food outlets and hotels have been given permission to open on the condition that all windows and doors are covered so no one can be seen eating or drinking by passersby.

As well as this, nightlife options change with the prohibiting of loud music or dancing although the evenings come alive in a different way with the mushrooming of Ramadan tents and entertainment. Alcohol is also still available for purchase by non-Muslims after Iftar.

Regardless of the sacrifices made by non-Muslim expats during Ramadan, many enjoy the festive atmosphere of the month in the evenings and take advantage of the plethora of Ramadan tents, hotels and popular cafes offering traditional Ramadan food and the chance to sit chatting with friends and family into the early hours of the morning.

When it is over?

Ramadan officially ends when the new moon is again sighted and the month of Shawwal begins. It is followed by the Eid Al Fitr, a three-day holiday and celebration of feasting and the exchange of gifts.

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