Ramadan Kareem!

Ramadan begins tomorrow, September 12th. Things will be a little different around town for the next month. I am not sure how much will be different for us at the American School of Dubai, but we are expected to respect their observances and keep from eating or drinking in public. At school we have to abstain from consuming any foods or drinks in the classrooms or outside. The Muslim students are going to be spending their lunch periods in the library, away from any food consumption. From sun up to sun down the Muslim people will be fasting from any food or drinks. Sun up is around 5:30am and sun down is around 7pm each day. We are told to be careful driving in the afternoons, as the Muslim citizens are famished and dehydrated and are rushing to get home so they can eat and drink. The driving is already crazy enough out here, so we will probably avoid driving around that time. The malls and dining places are extending their hours to accomodate those observing Ramadan. Restaurants and supermarkets will be closed during the day, and opening at sun down. One big issue is with Muslims sleeping during the day and then eating their regular meals at night. This, of course, defeats the purpose of Ramadan, as they are not going through the full sacrifice of the fast. I hope to learn more about the practices of Ramadan, and I will keep posting as we notice and learn new and interesting things. 2 interesting things of note... the McDonald's near our school has decorated their building with tons of Christmas lights... or, I suppose you would call them "Ramadan" lights here. Also of interest... see the picture below...


Look closely and you will see a goat in the back of this truck eating from some grass above it. This truck is actually filled with goats. They will be used by Muslims in sacrificial ceremonies and practices in observance of Ramadan. We have seen several of these red Toyota trucks carrying loads of goats in the ba-a-a-a-a-a-ack.

-isaac