Holy Month of Ramadan ~ what non-Muslim should know, observe, and follow

Hugayet Tower

Dammam - Khobar Hi-way

Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Different kinds of nuts in an ethnic setting serve in the entrance of the dining hall.

Today is Tuesday, July 09, 2013. Poor Enan (yup, that's me ~ ahahaha!) because I thought today is the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan which will take place tomorrow July 10, 2013. I arrived 2 hours late in the office as confusion really got me bigtime! (ahahaha!). I was shocked when I arrived in the office because most of my colleague were already busy doing their specific jobs (sigh ~ hehehe!). It’s the first time ever that I arrived late to work (ammmmpp!!!!). One of the reason why I was late is because yesterday (July 8, 2013), I received a forwarded internal memo from a coworker with regards to the new working hours during Ramadan and thought that the next day would be the start of it (ahahaha!). Unfortunately, damage has been done and the least I can do is get in and heads up (hehehe!).

Iftar refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast.

I greeted most of my colleagues but they tease with a smile saying that ‘Enan, it’s not Ramadan yet, you know?’ or ‘wishful thinking, huh?” (say whatttt???? ~ ahahaha!). I don’t know what to feel really but I replied with a blush saying ‘now I know that’ (hehehe!). We’ll, I’ve been here in Saudi Arabia for quite a few years and supposed to know about it already but this time, I honestly missed it. If ever I didn’t deactivated my FB pretty sure I have the news straight (ahahaha!). In addition to that, it is strange because I usually open the news channel every night when I arrive home but last night, I didn’t even glance the remote control because I was busy arranging the blog (hayssssss!!!).

Company Iftar that i attended to usually serve different types of Mediterranean cuisine.

Well, that’s life, it’s one honest mistake (hehehe!). Thanks because of that scene it gave me an idea to post an entry with regards to Ramadan. What is mean by it and what to be aware of as a non-Muslim. Most of my colleague solely in our department is composed of 95% Muslim and only 2 of us were Christian’s expats. Because of our size, we are always invited to any Muslim celebration in and out of the office either a wedding or community get together. 

For sweet tooth lovers, assorted cakes and pastries are serve for your eyes delight.

Everytime I received an invitation I always asked my colleague what is the etiquette to follow in certain occasion, and mainly the feedback I received from the locals is just the word ‘respect’ and that is always retain in my head.  

The dining hall of Sheraton Hotel in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Before we go further, better if we have to explain first what is the word Ramadan means. Me as a Christian were asking many times about it too when I first stepped here in Saudi Arabia. Please be reminded that what I have to say here is as per my own understanding and as per experiences for the past few years of living here.

Before Iftar, arabic coffee (gawa), water, dates and nuts usually offered to the guest.

Ok here we go. First and foremost, let's define what is meant by the word Ramadan? Ramadan basically is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is not a Gregorian calendar like what we Christian are using. The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad meaning scorching heat or dryness. This is regarded as the holy month were all Muslims worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. Fasting is compulsory for adult Muslims except those who are ill, traveling, pregnant, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding. 

As an expatriate, it's the best time to indulge to different local dishes (hehehe!).

Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and usually the time of fellowship with families, friends, and surrounding communities.

Since I worked in an office where most of my colleagues are Muslim, thus I always partake in the celebration of Ramadan. We are always invited for Iftar, refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast. It is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and usually the time of fellowship with families, friends and surrounding communities. I see some closed selected streets near my apartment devoted solely for Iftar. In those cases, everybody is invited to join, it is a free meal usually offered to the public. Many Muslims believe that feeding someone in Iftar, as a form of charity is very rewarding and that it was practiced by Prophet Mohammed.

It’s quite hard to describe a typical Iftar meals, because there are so many cuisine to choose from.

While fasting from dawn until sunset, expect that after office hours, let us say around 4:30 to 6:00pm expect build up of traffic as hundreds of cars lining up in the streets. Mostly what they do is go home directly but sometimes companies do have festival banquets. Considering the high diversity of the global Muslim population, it’s quite hard to describe a typical iftar meals. However, since we were invited mostly to huge gatherings, there are always plenty of food to choose from in a buffet setting.

I invited Tope (blue) and Lloyd (brown shirt) to join me in the affair. They arre my bestfriends actually.

As a non-Muslim expatriate, living and working in an Islamic country, I enlisted below some of the rules and regulations to follow in respect to the local culture. Please be aware that it should be observe for the rest of 30 days until the end of Ramadan. 

                   1) Ramadan is a month of peace and piety, so please abstain from swearing and using offensive languages or gestures in public places because it is considered disrespectful. Whatever will happen keep calm as always and observe proper decorum. I am always on the phone all day long and I do receive hundreds of calls from our respective clients, locally and internationally. Sometimes because of urgency people tend to get angry because of the services that is not served properly. What I usually do if they keep on swearing? Listen, say something, search for solution then act. Chill and relax with a huge SMILE that is the key (hehehe!). 

                   2) I absolutely love music and who isn’t, ayt? (hehehe!) I do have wide collection of albums in my apartment and I love playing it especially when I am reading something or doing some exercise. However, during Ramadan, please note that live music is banned in public places. If you really wanted to, play the music in which you alone can hear or use a headphone so that you’ll not be able to disturb others. In the car, I usually play loud music but I refrain doing that as it is consider impolite too.

                    3) Something decent to wear is a must! In Saudi Arabia women are not allowed to wear casual dress in public but only with their ‘abayas’. Abaya or a ‘cloak’ is a loose over-black garment, essentially a robe-like dress that usually covers the whole body except the face, feet, and hands.  It can be worn with the nijab, a face viel covering but the eyes. When I went to Dubai during Ramadan last year, most women may not wear in their abayas but they are advised to cover up by not wearing shorts, sleeveless or mini skirt which is consider rude.

                     4) In Dubai and Bahrain, usually bars remain open at night; however, most of the night clubs are closed. Please note that in Saudi Arabia, Ramadan or not, drinking liquor is STRICTLY PROHIBITED and once you are caught doing it, expect the consequences of either you go to jail or sent home with lots of lashes. So please refrain from doing so.

                     5) Non-Muslim are not expected to fast; however, to show some consideration or courtesy for those who do is expected. What I do since I am not fasting, I usually have a lunchbox filled with light snack and I usually go to the pantry and locked myself. Respect is the key and we non-Muslims should not show to them that we are eating. When I was in Dubai, there are some hotel restaurants and food courts that remains open and serves discreetly and they even accept food delivery straight to your doorstep. However, here in Saudi Arabia, all restaurants are closed for the rest of the day and start opening around 4:30pm before Iftar.

                    6.) Any public display of affection are considered disrespectful too, a BIG ‘NO NO’. In Saudi Arabia, if you do that you’ll be in court for questioning, as ladies and gentlemen are not allowed to mingle each other as long as you’re part of the family. In Dubai maybe you’re allowed to do that but since it’s Ramadan then please do abstain from any means of sexual contact.

                   7.) Since eating is strictly prohibited, thus, smoking should be avoided too. I saw one man smoking in the alley of  MRT station in Dubai last year and caught by police. He was questioned and given a ticket as they imposed strict fines in there. I don't know how much is the fine but the least i guess is AED 2,000. I hate smoking anyway, thus, for those smoker out there, please control your urge to smoke. However, once fasting is over after sunset then you can do so.

                    8.) If you want to learn more about the locals and the customs and traditions that embodies Ramadan then gladly accept if you receive any invitation about Iftar. I do have 5 invitations so far and will try to squeeze things out. The invitation is usually rendered by card invitation, personal email or just by any usual conversation. If you accept the invitation, please do come as they will expect you in that matter. However, if you will not be able to attend, then please give a call as a sign of respect 2 to 3 hours before the gathering.

                   9.) Every company Iftar I’ve been to, they usually give some gifts as souvenirs. I have plenty of collections in the apartment and mostly it reminds me of my colleague and Saudi Arabia as a whole. I did receive a perfume ‘oud’, a brick with carvings of old houses, a set of incense burner, and a lot lot more. Its way different from Christmas but Ramadan is also the time of sharing your blessings to the less fortunate. Everytime I ran over the overpass in Al Issa Souk to Al Rama in AlKhobar, I’ve seen few beggars in there. If ever I have few bucks left in my wallet then I usually gave it to them. Hope there is no more poverty in the world (sigh!). I guess instead of giving them money better give them foods or fruits for them to eat.

               10) Learning a few Ramadan greetings can show your respect for the Islamic culture. It is customary to say Ramadan Kareem or Ramadan Mubarak to anyone which translates ‘May you have generous/blessed Ramadan’. Just this morning, I received an email from an old colleague saying that:

"May the Ramadan bring you peace and prosperity,
good health and wealth,
and brighten your life forever.

Make a sacrifice this Ramadan, and god will listen to your prayers
with utmost attention!

May the spirit of Ramadan illuminate the world and show us
the way to peace and harmony"

So there you go, listed above are the do’s and don’ts during the holy month of Ramadan. If there are still some rules that I haven’t mentioned then my sincere apology. You can email me directly and I’ll add it here right away. What I wrote is just what I observed and followed in respect to my colleague and all the people that surrounds me.

Ramadan Kareem everyone!

Cheerrrrrrrrrrioos!!

Enan signing off.

SMILE.

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