It's the time of year when, for some reason, and if you ask a Muslim, they are likely to say they don't know why they do it, but Muslims eat copious amounts of Custard, Creme Caramel, Whip topping and any other pre-packaged, just-add-milk dessert made by Foster Clark's.
In fact if you go into any grocery store, you will see something like this, a sort of monument to cheap powdered desserts.
I guess it is pretty easy, quick and affordable if you're trying to feed 20 or so people dessert.
So, if you're new to expat life and living in a Muslim country, you might not know what to expect, I sure didn't. I thought it would be business as usual with only Muslims having to pay attention to Ramadan. I was wrong!
Even if you are not Muslim you are expected to respect the fact that it's Ramadan and fast in public. Actually it's not even fasting, it's more extreme then that.
No gum, no mints, no smoking, no nail biting, no licking stamps at the post office, no eating and no drinking in public places. Nothing may pass the lips. Even if you have medical conditions, such a pregnancy or diabetes, you are still required to follow these rules.
Also, all the bars will be closed and so will the booze shops, so if you haven't bought up all your license, better go tonight. I bet the booze shops will look like Walmart on Christmas Eve tonight. Be on the lookout for Ramadan house parties, there's usually plenty every weekend, and yeah you can get your drink on.
Also, the roads get a little crazier. And how could they not? You've got people driving around with no food or water, or let's face it, in some cases medication in their systems all the while it's hot and these particular drivers have been up all night eating, and up very early, before sunrise to get breakfast in.
All this makes for a lethal combo, and no I'm not Muslim bashing, it's just how it is.
I think how I would be with no food, water or sleep and I think I may as well be drunk driving, and really that's how it looks casual observer, like everyone is drunk. Fishtailing up and down the roads, making delayed judgements about time and space, going too fast or too slow...please be safe out there. I suspect this year will be more difficult then last year because of the longer days and the hotter weather.
Shopping gets a little crazy as well. It seems like the entire population is in every shop at all times, except when it's Iftar time (which means breaking the fast time), so I always go shopping then. It's just easier.
I'm sure for Muslims it means a lot more, like testing themselves through faith, giving to the less fortunate and slacking off work and sleeping a lot but you know I'm not Muslim so I'm not really an expert, so this is just an expat take on things.
One of my most popular posts on Ramadan is my first one, it's way better then this one, you can find it here
I wrote about Ramadan again here
So yeah, best of luck everyone, happy Ramadan to all.
4 comments:
I HATE those crap creme caramels. I am like, uh no thank you I am full, by the time they come around.
I still like jello. Weird as that is, but with some fresh fruit, whipped creme (the real kind) and nuts on top, it makes a cute and easy Ramadaan parfait (and healthy).
BTW, only the ignorant Muslims would get mad at a non-Muslim eating. I mean, don't OBVIOUSLY rub it into someone's face while they're fasting but honestly, there is nothing in the rleigion to say anyone who can't fast (pregnent, sick ect) or non-Muslim should fast sooooooo.... I don't get the rules. Just try to avoid bringing really yummy smelling foods around people fasting and that's polite enough for me lol.
Fasting is between me and God, nobody else you know? If no one else is fasting at all, it shouldn't effect a Muslim who truly understands Ramadaan:)
"It's Iftar!"
You're dehydrated, hypoglycemia, exhausted and not the best of drivers even on a good day.
So, jump into your Land Cruiser, fire it up and drive like you're insane to chow down at the local gorge palace.
Don't let little things like pedestrians, stop lights, yield signs or speed limits get in your way.
Just a note... pregnant women and those with medical conditions are *not* expected to participate in Ramadan. Also, neither is anyone who has to work outdoors.
They make up the fast days later. Just a few days before Ramadan this year, a friend of mine from Egypt was rushing to make up the last few days of last year's fast before this year's started.
You know what? This isn't my freaking country. If the whole country has to fast, and they ask me not to eat in front of them, I'll do it to be polite. It's their country, their rules.
In fact, this year I was so polite I removed myself completely, which was a GREAT solution for me. I hate Ramadan.
did you survive the month?
Gill in Canada
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