Ramadan Kareem!

Abu Dhabi- Worshippers enter the Musallah Eid mosque in Aug 31, 2008 in Abu Dhabi. The Ramadan is due to begin depending on the moon sighting. (The National/ Andre Forget)


It is Ramadan as of sunset today! Ramadan officially starts when the very first sliver of moon is sighted after the New Moon. Every year there is some debate about when it actually happens since it can vary in some regions, but most of the time a majority of countries agree on the same day. Officially the UAE has recognised sundown today as the first day! That means that the next month Muslims will be fasting from dawn to sunset every day.

I copied all the stuff below from some emails that went around our company that explain some things, since I didnt want to have to retype everything

Iftar - the meal at sunset when Muslims break their fast. It’s family oriented and full of traditions, which usually vary depending on national origin.

Suhour - the meal that Muslims have before sun break. Basically their last meal before they begin their fast. This also is built on traditions that vary from country to country, but in general you can think of Ramadan as a nocturnal month. People will be crawling out of the woodwork around 10 or 11 in the evening, after they’ve had their Iftar, done their prayers, socialised and watched their favourite TV series. Expect restaurants to be open until about 4 or 5 am, serving their “Ramadan specials” for this meal.

Imsak - this is the moment that Muslims refrain from eating and drinking to begin their fast. It happens exactly when the dawn call to prayer begins.

Niyyah - means intention. This is an important concept in Islam, particularly for fasting. In order to fast, you must have the intention to do so from the day before, and prepare yourself accordingly.

Khaimah or Khiyam - means tent(s). You’ll see them all over. Basically wealthy individuals along with businesses and charity organisations setup these tents to provide free Iftar and Suhour meals to anyone who shows up. They’ll be all over the UAE. Makes for a great multimedia / pictoral presentation.

Azan al Fajer - sunrise call to prayer, which marks the Imsak, the beginning of the fast.

Azan al Maghreb - sunset call to prayer, which means Muslims can break their fast. NOTE OF CAUTION: Stay off the roads during this time as the normally nutty UAE drivers get even more nutty. Drivers are hungry, thirsty, grumpy, hot and many have a nikfit. At this time of day, you’ll find they are rushing home to make it just in time to hear the call to prayer, so that they can break their fast with their family. I would not want to be a pedestrian during that hour.

Ramadan Kareem everyone! I know that we will be enjoying the huge buffets and smoking lots of shisha! (except for Elysia, who will be in Las Vegas, the opposite of Ramadan for a couple weeks)