On or about 01 September the holy month of Ramadan will begin. I have written posts in the past on Ramadan but feel it is necessary each year to write a post reminding viewers what Ramadan is all about and how it impacts on routine life in the Kingdom. To begin with, Ramadan is a holy month of fasting. All muslims who are able will fast from sunrise to sunset during which time they abstain from both food and water. Exceptions to this rule are those who are too young to maintain a fast, those who are on medications or have other health factors which would prevent them from fasting, those who are traveling during Ramadan need not fast on travel days and women who are menstruating are not to fast. Muslims will fast for one month and at the end of the month there will follow several days of festivity and celebrations known as Eid al Fitr. But before I get ahead of myself, during Ramadan, muslims are to fast and experience what it feels like to those less fortunate to go without food or water. In addition the fasting is also a time to cleanse the body while reflecting on ones life and closeness to God. Special prayers are said during Ramadan and even those (men) who may not go to the mosque five times per day will find themselves more attentive to their Islamic duties during Ramadan.
Muslims are expected during Ramadan to maintain their basic schedules and routines although work hours (at least in Muslim states) are shortened by several hours during the period. Although it happens all too frequently, Ramadan is not meant for muslims to switch their days and nights around so that they sleep through the day and therefore avoid the pangs of fasting. For me personally, I’ve always found that I tend to lose weight during Ramadan.
The tradition of breaking the fast can vary from family to family. However most will start breaking their fast by having Arabic kawa and dates. Dates are 
good and easy for the digestive system as well as quickly providing a burst of energy. Once the initial fast has been broken, it depends on the individual families what dishes they serve as well as how they serve them.
The last week of Ramadan starts becoming very festive. Muslims know that soon the month of fasting will be over. Shops are open late at night and into the wee hours of the morning during Ramadan. People like to shop for at Eid it is traditional for all individuals to wear new fashionable outfits in celebration.
There is naturally an initial adjustment when beginning the fast. This is especially true for those who are accustomed to multiple cups of coffee or perhaps smoke. The caffeine or nicotine withdrawal can make one initially suffer until their body adjusts. But in most cases, after the first week the body adjusts and fasting is not difficult. Of course fasting in such a place as Saudi Arabia is made much easier with all restaurants, coffee shops and canteens closed during the fasting hours so there are no aromas of fresh ground coffee or foods cooking.
Non-muslims who do not fast should be considerate for the muslims in their midst. Non-muslims are not expected to fast or forego food but it is expected that they would prepare and eat it out of the way of muslims who are fasting. I would also suggest that a non-muslim try fasting for at least one day if not more just to have the experience of fasting. Calendars are usually widely distributed which indicate the times to start and end fasts.
Don’t be surprised that particularly during the first week of Ramadan that some muslims might be a little bit grumpy, quiet or much slower in performing tasks. This is due to the adjustment period of fasting. And it is also a fact that many processes and actions will be much more slower during Ramadan with some decisions and activities simply postponed until Ramadan is over, especially any activities pertaining to government ministries.
Depending on where one is employed, either the last ten days or last five days of Ramadan will be a time of holiday. All government offices, ministries, banks and even many private companies will shut down during this period.
For some of my earlier posts about Ramadan which explain other aspects of this time please see:
http://delhi4cats.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/ramadan-reflections-2/
http://delhi4cats.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/riyadh-as-eid-approaches/
http://delhi4cats.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/villa-303/
http://delhi4cats.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/lighter-side-of-ramadan-preparations/
http://delhi4cats.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/preparations-for-ramadan/
http://delhi4cats.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/ramadan-reflections/
Filed under: Food, Saudi Arabia, Saudi culture, Saudi customs, islam, religion
Thank you Carol for this comprehensive post about the month of Ramadan.
I feel like the month of Ramadan is being transformed to a holy-less month. You said it yourself: working hours are shortened, people tend to be grumpy, and people stay up during the nights and sleep all day long! Show me the holiness in that!!
If we are to follow the prophet peace be upon him then why are we doing these practices? I’m not aware of any change in the prophet’s working life during Ramadan, all I know is that he had worshipped God more during that month. So why do we shorten our working hours? Are we going to starve to death if we apply the same working hours? Muslims in Russia, Sweden and Canada do NOT shorten their working hours, even though they have longer days (i.e longer fasting hours). Again, why do we do it? I fail to understand!
And then the attitude of some Muslims during that month is just shocking! Some people think that during the month of Ramadan they have the right to be grumpy and sleepy and work less and produce less. Why???? Last Ramadan I had a meeting with one of the officials in one of the government institutes here in Riyadh. I noticed how uncooperative and rude he was. It had never occurred to me that its because of Ramadan. A few months later I had a meeting with the same guy and I had in the back of my mind that I’d go to his boss if he doesn’t cooperate. Well, let me tell you… I was amazed!!! He was very welcoming and very cooperative. I even started doubting myself.. is that the same guy I met last Ramadan?!?! At the end of the meeting I thanked him for the progress we made in the issue under discussion and told him honestly that I had not expected much from the meeting. He asked me why. I told him that I was compelled to think like that after our first meeting, which was (almost) a waste of time!! He then said “ohh yeah, that was during the month of Ramadan, and you know Ramadan is a month of worship so its not as easy to work during that month! I was disappointed with what he had just said! He made it sound like we’re working on a prostitution project or something!!! I so much wanted to talk to him about it but I had to leave for another meeting, so I gave him a quick lecture about my thoughts of what he had just said.
Last but not least, if Muslims sleep all day long, how are they going to feel the hunger which the poor people feel? How are they going to grasp the essence of this month? Unfortunately, fasting to those people has become a habit, and not an act of worship. Where’s the holiness in that?
Nader,
Thank you for your comment. It’s funny because just last night I was having a discussion with my husband and telling him I had mixed emotions about Ramadan coming. In the States we actually practiced Ramadan in a more Islamic fashion than here in the Kingdom which certainly seems contradictory to me!
It is pitiful that in one of the holiest places of Islam it seems that the true practice of Ramadan is more abused.
Why is this? Is it because the culture in general lacks discipline and ethics?
I’ve been in other muslim countries during Ramadan and while some will also have practices similar to here in KSA changing the days and nights so much, none seem to do it to the extreme seen here in Saudi Arabia.
Even the restaurants know how to take advantage of the market opportunities during Ramadan and will have their special suhoor meals which are served starting around 3am. Yes; a large group goes to the restaurant and enjoys their meal until sunrise during which they all leave and sleep the rest of the day, not awakening until just before iftar (breaking the fast).
adding to my own comment of above, the (anti) Ramadan practices of staying up all night and sleeping all day have pretty much already been started here for the past 6 weeks. Since school is out and it is so hot during the day, many many have already changed their days and nights. So for many of those will not even notice much of a difference when Ramadan begins.
Yess Carol I totally agree. I had Ramadan while i was in the US and had it while I was in Europe. To me, it was holier there than in Saudi Arabia.
Regarding your question of why, I am asking the same question. I think its just one of the (perhaps many?) paradoxes of the saudi society!
One of the worst actions I see during Ramadan is the complete waste of food that occurs from the very moment Ramadan is declared until it ends. Every evening meal consists of far more food than fasting people could obviously eat…and then its all thrown away. Nothing is saved to be reheated over here…all gone. Only the cats and rats benefit from this monumental waste. If the whole point of Ramadan is to open up our eyes to those that have less then us…those that are hungry because they dont have a choice…then why is all that food getting thrown in the garbage? All your fasting and prayers during Ramadan add up to what exactly if the basic priniciple is lost?
Ive been here over 20 years and have yet to fall victim to the sleep all day and party all night atmosphere that dominates Ramadan…just cant do it. Seems like a cop out and those that do it are once again missing the basic principle of Ramadan…we are supposed to “suffer” to a certain degree…not sleep all day and miss the benefits of being awake and bearing the burden of fasting….not eating so much in the night that the emergency rooms are full of patients with stomach problems…and most certainly not be grumpy and useless and blame it on the effects of Ramadan.
Im wondering if the Prophet was basically left alone all day while his sahabas slept in and avoided him later so as not to bombard him with grumpy irritated miskeen men? What a crock!
Coolred,
I can say from the Saudi perspective that while I see so much food prepared for iftar, after iftar excess food is usually taken out and given to the poor.
Thankfully I have not fallen victim either to the sleep all day, party all night syndrome of Ramadan. In fact, I kind of like that beautiful quiet time when I am the only one up and awake in the house!
And it may sound strange but I enjoy cooking during Ramadan. I’m fasting but have just learned to deal with hunger and aromas. I find that because I’m fasting, all the more reason I want to prepare nice and tasty meals for iftar!
thanks for blogging about ramadan. but i have to agree with coolred38 about the excessive wastage of food during iftar.
we order too much, eat as much as our stomach can accomodate and whatever leftovers are either kept for sahur or sadly, thrown away. instead of going for tarawih prayers, we sit in front of the tv and watch the drama serials or visit the ramadan bazaars.
when we have iftar outside, either we miss/skip prayers and have 1001 of reasons. lets not even start about feeling grouchy, inpatient etc during daytime. its ironic but we become ‘less’ holy during ramadan, as highlighted by nader.
and if there’s one thing i want to admit, i’m thankful that the food shops here in singapore are open during daytime because such reminders are testing my faith and (perhaps) patience during ramadan.
may our ramadan this year be better than the previous ramadans =)
During my first few Ramadans in Saudi Arabia, I was perplexed and disappointed at the switching of day and night activities. Gradually I came to understand that there is a physiological basis for this reversal.
The body’s response to food and sleep is intertwined. A surge of energy after eating is normal, as is a slowing down and tiredness if the next meal is not forthcoming.
Frankly, I wish I could switch days and nights here in the States. It’s not that I wish to escape hunger, but that a disruption in the body’s daily rhythm is not conducive to optimal performance at work.
As for the focus on food (in KSA), I still do not understand that. After a day of fasting, one is more satisfied and pleased with less than with more, and maybe this is the more important lesson of fasting.
really can’t wait for Ramadan this year… always a good time for us to boost our Imaan…
Ramadan is supposed to be a time where we learn to feel for others, not gain 20 pounds. Time to return to the real meaning of things.
I’ve heard a lot of people talk about gaining weight during Ramadan and I’ve always been quite puzzled as to how this would occur. I wasn’t aware that in the middle east everything sort of got reversed so that it was just like a regular day, but with more food. So that kind of explains it. It does kind of seem to defeat the purpose of things though. Kind of seems like the muslim version of Christmas, but for a month instead of a day
@Nader, Carol
This is a very interesting post and I really enjoyed reading.
In response to your query as to why Ramadan is observed perhaps more religiously outside of KSA, that is not hard to explain. In KSA Holy Islam is everywhere so people tend to take it for granted. This is a rather normal human response. Outside of KSA and the Middle East, people have to make a concerted effort to observe Ramadan. So they put more into it, take it a bit more seriously since its difficult to observe within a foreign culture.
I would think that Carol, you would have observed something of a similar behavior amongst US expats in KSA putting more effort into things that remind them of the US than they would if they were living in the US.
My friends who used to live in Saudi (and worked in the military aircraft repair industry) said that during Ramadan, none of the Saudis even came to work for the whole month!
In Morocco, the workday is shortened between one and two hours, but EVERYONE goes to work. There is a lot more of staying up at night, but those who have to work during the day do sleep at night.
Madame Monet
Writing, Painting, Music, and Wine (in Marrakesh, Morocco)
winewriter.wordpress.com
I’m not muslim, but when I think of any cultural or religious tradition like this I always wonder if there’s a logical reason besides religion for it starting. Is it possible that a thousand years ago, if Sept were the hottest month, then maybe it became custom to sleep all day and not eat (which makes one feel more full, hotter, heavier), and then work during the cool of the night? Just because it makes sense and not because of religious dictate? Kinda like the abaya being black..
It’s just an idea/question…
Anon – married to a Saudi and living in an all Saudi environment, I actually do not have regular contact with expats so can’t really respond to your comment.
A good point that my spouse reminded me of and needs to be noted is that in regards to comments about wasted food and feeding the poor, the majority of all mosques will always provide an iftar (free) for anyone to break their fast. Even at the Haram, dates and coffee are provided at iftar time.
An excellent blog out here:)
I just read 2 posts and I am already a fan of yours..I hope to go thru the whole blog..Great work
Salam
your sister in Islam
Nimmy
Thank you Nimmy and welcome!
In The Land Of The Free everyone is allowed to eat and drink whatever and whenever he or she likes.
Oh ! how lovely to read about Ramadan, my favorite time of year.As growing up in Saudi it was the best time because our school hours were really short. My mother always made sure there was no food wasted. We had iftar parties at our house, enjoyed eid shopping but also really put in prespective the real meaning of Ramadan by praying and fasting and reading Quran.In Pakistan Ramadan is also very festive time. Although there is no change in regular working hours. So you end up doing all your chores,shopping during day which can be little difficult. Keep posting about Ramadan as it will soon start.
Thanks
Moni,
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I’m surprised by your comment that hours did not change in Pakistan. I’ve lived in Pakistan at two different times in my life and many businesses and government organizations did indeed have Ramadan hours.
Best Regards,
Carol
Yes, you might be right Carol .While in Pakistan hours dont officially change but it is acceptable for people to leave early from work specially government sector.It is a different story if you work at a private company.
I actually wish the hours did not change anywhere during Ramadan as to me that is part of what feeling the “pain and suffering” of fasting is all about. Plus it always is a sense of satisfaction and achievement to show what one can get through and do even though fasting.
Where else possible read to this subjects?
The Good article.
Thanks
Thank you lionas. I’m glad you enjoyed.
If you wish to read more about Ramadan, I encourage you to click on the links in my posting about other posts on the subject.
I’m pleased to share that the Chicago Sun Times has chosen to pick up this post:
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/blogentries/index.html?bbPostId=B6kcqoGH9Pf8Bzn7nRZ5sNNoCzF1jVHvMoQYjCzF00w2vIOKtq
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[...] Ramadan will be arriving soon and the atmosphere and activities of Saudi Arabia will change. Speaking from the Riyadh perspective, expect the city to take on a new personality at night with more families out and about after the last evening prayers. The city will be aglow with twinkling lights and so many signs in English and Arabic saying “Ramadan Kareem.” Naturally the stores, restaurants and other places of business will have “Ramadan hours.” Restaurants and other eateries will be closed during the fasting hours. They’ll open in time for iftar and stay open for a few hours before closing again only to reopen in time for suhoor (last opportunity to eat before resuming the daily fast). [...]