Job Discussion Forums

psychedelic · Joined: 11 Feb 2003 Posts: 167 Location: China

Hi,
Can someone tell me the time difference between Qatar and South Korea? Is South Korea ahead or Qatar ahead?

Thanks!

ntropy · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 671 Location: ghurba

About 700 years.

Sorry. Couldn't resist

manonatrain · Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 88

some web site on um TIME and it�s relativity to the universe

i think the year is 1420 but correct me if this is inaccurate.

http://www.angelfire.com/oh5/wwa/Ramadan/MuslimCalender.htm

and um this one i found by accident...Muslim Match ... find the perfect marriage partner online now.

http://www.muslimmatch.com/index1.php?source=GoogleAdwords

but my all time favorite must be http://www.rottentomatoes.com/

johnslat · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2004 8:41 pm Post subject: Behind the times

Dear manonatrain,
I believe it's 1424 AH. But then, it's all relative, anyway - right?
Regards,
John

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Reference Skills ?

Post a question on this site.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I will now follow my own advice. When is Ramadan this year ?

And when are Qackers likely to get Ramadan vac ?

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Hi Scot

I know Ramadhan this year should start around mid October and according to my little calendar here the new moon is the 14th, so that would put the start of the Eid around the 12th Nov.

As far as I know, only Saudi gives 'Ramadhan vacation.' (some places give the whole month plus Eid off I hear?) The rest of the countries teach through it with shorter hours. Normally you get 4-7 days off for the Eid. The number of days depends on when it starts and the mood of the Minister that makes the decision. It is always a hassle trying to make any travel plans because most places won't announce the days until the moon is sighted.

This can depend on your employer. I usually worked with government contracts and though you tend to get more days off, they seem to love to make it a mystery for us. Smile

Where DMB? He should be answering this one for you. Other than the Ramadhan dates, I am just speculating when I could be resting my fingers.

VS

livinginQatar · Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Qatar

Ramadan 1425 will start either October 14, 2004 if Sha'aban (the preceding month in the lunar calendar) is 29 days, and October 15 if it is 30 days.

Eid will be either Sat Nov 13 or Sun Nov 14th. Since the weekends in Qatar are now Fri and Sat, I wouldn't be too optimistic of getting time off before Eid. They used to always give the last 5 days of Ramadhan, but seems they are cutting back each year.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

If you work at QP then you will be the last to know. Last year we had to phone the office at 5.30 in the morning to see if we were working. Nobody answered thr phone so that meant we were on holiday. It's a bit annoying as you have to book a number of flights if you are planning on leaving the country

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

An Egyptian teacher gave me a little trick to find out if the Moon had been sighted. Naturally it always occurs well after the ever-helpful news in English. (Today the Sultan/Emir met with the ambassador of Burkino Faso - cue symphony)

Call a television or radio station. There is almost always someone there who speaks English. You can usually tell the beginning of Ramadhan because the progamming changes, but I could rarely tell if it was Eid. This can be particularly helpful if you know that the teaching hours are changing.

I gave up trying to fly anywhere for the Eids years ago. Smile

VS

livinginQatar · Joined: 05 Jul 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Qatar

Fun Fact: In any workplace, the Director of Administrative Affairs is the first one to be contacted by the Ministry when there is a vacation. He's the one who sends the arabic announcement to the rest of the staff that says: Eid vacation begins.......

I guess some people get a kick out of leaving the expats in the dark. Laughing

The day before Eid Al Fitr (Eid of Ramadhan) is called Waqfa, and is almost always a holiday (except for medical staff, emergency posts ect) Same Eid Al Adha (Eid for Hajj), the day before is called Arafat, which is usually a vacation as well.

Also, whoever has to sign your exit permit will know which is the earliest date you can officially leave.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

You need an 'exit permit' in Qatar???

This was one of my many beefs in Kuwait, but I thought that they were the only ones that imposed that bull. (I'm ignoring KSA here, as it has always been the odd man out.)

VS

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

You do need an exit letter from your employer. Unusually though, my sponsor was fairly efficient. Hand in your passport and fill out a form. It was ready the next day!!! Most ungulf like.