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Ramadan 2018 expected to begin May 15

 
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2018 7:59 am    Post subject: Ramadan 2018 expected to begin May 15 Reply with quote

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Hijri calendar. Per the Gregorian calendar, Ramadan 2018 will likely begin on Tuesday, May 15, in KSA and will end 30 days later. Eid Al Fitr is the annual three-day celebration after the last day of Ramadan and is considered a public holiday.

Adult Muslims are required to fast from dawn until dusk every day throughout Ramadan. Fast may be broken at sunset before Maghrib prayers, which occurs just after sunset. The fast-breaking meal is called Iftar.

Ramadan for non-Muslims

While Muslims don’t expect non-Muslims to fast, it remains important to show respect. Most of the following points apply to the rest of the year too, but are even more important to adhere to during Ramadan:

- Do not eat, drink, or smoke in public during the fasting hours (from dawn until dusk). This includes chewing gum.
- Do not engage in any aggressive behaviour.
- Do not dance or play music in public. You may listen to music quietly with headphones.
- Dress respectfully.
- Do not swear. Blasphemy is considered extra offensive during Ramadan.
- Do not refuse a gift, from a simple date to something more exotic, you should accept it. Further, you should not refuse an invitation to join someone at Iftar.

The penalty for not following the above etiquette can vary, with community service normally being favoured.

If you are not fasting, you are free to eat and drink in the privacy of your own home, as well as in designated areas. Ask your employer where you can eat your lunch. The same goes with smoking. Some restaurants and cafes will be open during the day; you are free to frequent these. Food can be taken out and consumed in private.


Last edited by nomad soul on Sun May 13, 2018 10:57 pm; edited 1 time in total
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2018 8:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Also...
    Work hours: The standard work-day is reduced by two hours for all employees across all sectors, regardless of whether you are observing Ramadan or not. Check with your employer.

    Grocery shopping: Supermarkets are open as usual. Hours are usually posted.

    Driving: There’s no denying the fact that driving during the day, particularly between 5pm and Iftar, is hazardous. Some fasting taxi drivers may have been working longer than they should have been and as a result they may be dehydrated and lacking the ability to concentrate properly. Only drive in the afternoon if you absolutely have to.

    Booking a taxi: If you are heading out around the Iftar time, then be advised that booking a taxi may not be so easy. A lot of drivers will be breaking the fast, so availability may be difficult.

    Going out for dinner: If you are planning on going out for Iftar then you should book a table in advance. Restaurants are understandably busy during Ramadan evenings.

    Going to the mall: While a lot of businesses change their hours for Ramadan, malls remain generally open during the day – with the exception of food courts and restaurants. Some restaurants may remain open, but this will seldom be advertised.
Source: http://gulfnews.com/guides/life/ramadan/features/ramadan-2018-all-you-need-to-know-1.1528649
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Thomasmc89



Joined: 26 Sep 2017
Posts: 22

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2018 7:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for posting
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sicklyman



Joined: 02 Feb 2013
Posts: 930

PostPosted: Wed May 02, 2018 9:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

hmmm did you take a break last year? I can only find links to your Ramadan announcement topics from 2014, 2015 and 2016.
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Motorcycleman



Joined: 13 Jul 2016
Posts: 29

PostPosted: Wed May 02, 2018 10:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

nomad soul wrote:
Also...
[list]Work hours: The standard work-day is reduced by two hours for all employees across all sectors, regardless of whether you are observing Ramadan or not. Check with your employer.

I see this in the article you referenced (https://gulfnews.com/guides/life/ramadan/features/ramadan-2018-all-you-need-to-know-1.1528649).

However, according to out of date Articles on this site (LABOR LAW Royal Decree No. M/51 23 Sha'ban 1426 / 27 September 2005: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=83790) "Article (98): A worker may not actually work for more than eight hours a day if the employer uses the daily work criterion, or more than forty-eight hours a week if he uses the weekly criterion. During the month of Ramadan, the actual working hours for Muslims shall be reduced to a maximum of six hours a day or thirty-six hours a week." [emphasis added].
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
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PostPosted: Wed May 02, 2018 4:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Both the 2018 news article and the Saudi Labor Law state the same thing: Workers should work no more than six hours a day during Ramadan. That's for workers across all sectors. However, the teaching hours for k12 schools/colleges/universities/institutes are usually less than that because students will be fasting, which makes it harder to focus and learn.

That said, I added the part to check with your employer (or sponsor) because the school year is also likely to end before Ramadan begins. There may not be any students, but depending on their situation, teachers may still need to report in, submit final grades and reports, attend meetings, whatever... before heading off for a long break unless they're teaching over the summer.
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In the heat of the moment



Joined: 22 May 2015
Posts: 393
Location: Italy

PostPosted: Fri May 04, 2018 8:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good advice, nomad soul.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
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PostPosted: Tue May 15, 2018 3:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Also... Be aware that the Saudi embassies and consulate offices may be on a different/reduced schedule during Ramadan and definitely for Eid Al-Fitr. Both can affect visa processing time.
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sheikhitnow



Joined: 29 Dec 2017
Posts: 32

PostPosted: Sat May 19, 2018 1:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Inviting us to an Iftar function is pretty intrusive, and most Saudis and Emiratis I've worked with know that and have not bothered us with it. I'm glad I've said goodbye to all that, for good.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 10, 2018 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and begins June 15 in 2018.

When it comes to holidays (including Eid Al-Adha, which is slated to start around August 20th), those working in the public sector generally get more paid days off than those in the private sector.
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scot47



Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343

PostPosted: Sun Jun 10, 2018 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sheikhitnow

I do not see how offering hospitality can be "intrusive".
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sheikhitnow



Joined: 29 Dec 2017
Posts: 32

PostPosted: Sat Jun 16, 2018 4:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Because if you're invited you almost have no choice in the matter.
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