Ramadan happens at the same time every year on Islamic calendar (the 9th month), but as the Islamic calendar is lunar and the Gregorian one is solar, it appears to the western world to move forward about 11 days every year.
It is illegal - yes, illegal - to eat, drink, or smoke during daylight hours if you an observing Muslim. If you aren't observing but live in a Muslim country (like the UAE) it is still illegal to do any of the above in public, except in specially designated places. Some food courts have limited outlets open; others are closed entirely. Some hotels have a segregated dining area open, but this is covered with blackout curtains so that eating is invisible to the passing public. Some workplaces have a designated eating area for non-Muslims; others don't and the employees are forced to sneak into the bathroom with their bottle of water!
This sign reads:
One can consume food only inside this designated area.
It is not permitted to eat or drink in any of the mall's corridors.
In case a person is found eating in public places, legal action will be taken and fines will be levied.
Eating in this area is restricted to non-fasting and kids only starting at 12:00 noon.
There is also a real spirit of giving during this time. And, since those fasting will be feeling more irritable and tired due to their lack of food and water, everyone is encouraged to be more considerate towards others. It is also a time for dressing more modestly, engaging in more prayer/ reflection, not playing loud music, and not showing any public displays of affection.
Observing Muslims who are exempt from Ramadan are the poor, the elderly, the disabled, children, and pregnant women. And women who are menstruating. Those people who are temporarily incapacitated are encouraged to observe Ramadan at another time; it is suggested to the rest that they give financially to a charity or generally act in a charitable manner during this holy time.
Working hours for Muslims - and, depending on the workplace, all employees - are truncated during this period. Those fasting shouldn't drive at sundown or other times when they are feeling particularly tired.
All of this is very interesting and I was really happy to be on observer of such a culture for this time. Unfortunately for Thomas, his workplace issued a memo with adjusted hours for observing Muslims and no change for the others. Margaux I think was fairly oblivious to the whole thing. I was affected because I had just discovered I was pregnant (more about this to come!) so I was a) ravenous every waking moment, b) not looking like I was pregnant, and c) unable to tell anyone about it. There was a lot of sneaky eating and drinking on my part!
Dubai becomes a bit of a ghost town during Ramadan - especially when it's in summer - because the temperature soars to 40+*C daily and is really humid. Compound that with the fact that you can't even drink water between 07:00-19:15, and you have a population keen to be elsewhere!
Taken on July 9, 2015...
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