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nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 7:54 pm Post subject: Ramadan to start June 29 |
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Ramadan fasting to start on June 29
By Saudi Gazette | 15 June 2014
Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/06/15/Ramadan.html
Saudi Arabia's Islamic project for monitoring the moon has said the first day of the holy month of fasting, Ramadan, will be Sunday, June 29. It said the Ramadan crescent cannot be seen on June 27 and as such June 28 will be the last day of Shaaban.
More than 30 astronomers specialized in Islamic astronomy have signed a statement asking all concerned bodies in Islamic countries to verify crescent sightings. They pointed out that on June 27 the crescent cannot be seen neither by the naked eye nor by specialized telescopes.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, as one of the five pillars of Islam.
(End of article) |
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LPKSA
Joined: 02 Mar 2014 Posts: 211
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 6:48 am Post subject: Re: Ramadan to start June 29 |
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nomad soul wrote: |
Ramadan fasting to start on June 29
By Saudi Gazette | 15 June 2014
Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2014/06/15/Ramadan.html
Saudi Arabia's Islamic project for monitoring the moon has said the first day of the holy month of fasting, Ramadan, will be Sunday, June 29. It said the Ramadan crescent cannot be seen on June 27 and as such June 28 will be the last day of Shaaban.
More than 30 astronomers specialized in Islamic astronomy have signed a statement asking all concerned bodies in Islamic countries to verify crescent sightings. They pointed out that on June 27 the crescent cannot be seen neither by the naked eye nor by specialized telescopes.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, as one of the five pillars of Islam.
(End of article) |
Nomad Soul have you previously been here during Ramadan? |
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nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 7:56 am Post subject: |
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Yep. It was my second time experiencing Ramadan as a non-Muslim in the Gulf. |
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scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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Fun - especially in summer. |
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CANDLES

Joined: 01 Nov 2011 Posts: 605 Location: Wandering aimlessly.....
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Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2014 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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Yep! Worked from 8 till 3pm, then back to the compound till the evening shift starting from 9pm till midnight.
Then went shopping or sat about the pool till sleepy!  |
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LPKSA
Joined: 02 Mar 2014 Posts: 211
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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scot47 wrote: |
Fun - especially in summer. |
Can't wait.
As non-Muslims, are we required to adhere to the code of conduct in terms of fasting? Nobody here seems to have a straight answer. The people who do have the answers have taken off on their vacation. I'll be out soon, but will be here for part of Ramadan. |
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nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 3:09 pm Post subject: |
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LPKSA wrote: |
As non-Muslims, are we required to adhere to the code of conduct in terms of fasting? |
From expatarrivals.com:
What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a time of reflection and prayer for Muslims. The month long holiday is marked by a fast that spans from sunup to sundown each day, and is meant to cleanse the body of impurities and remind Muslims how the more unfortunate may feel. Muslims are expected to adhere to the tenets of Ramadan both in public and behind closed doors.
The basic Ramadan rules of thumb for Muslims: No eating, drinking, smoking or sex between sunrise (fajr) and sunset (maghrib)
Curb undesirable emotions such as anger, greed, envy, lust, and refrain from gossip.
Keep thoughts and actions pure and use the time of fasting for spiritual contemplation.
Be charitable and help those in need.
Visit friends and family members. While non-Muslims are NOT expected to practice the principles of their Islamic counterparts, Muslim Middle Eastern countries have laws that ban certain behaviours over this time period. Expats should make sure they’re aware of these laws, and even though, in practice, non-Muslims are ONLY expected to uphold the laws while not in sight of Muslims, it’s best to respect the Ramadan culture.
It is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours during Ramadan; this also applies while in a mode of transportation like a car or bus.
All members of society are expected to dress conservatively, women making special efforts to limit the amount of make-up worn and cover arms, legs and shoulders
No music or dancing is allowed during Ramadan, turn your car stereo down and be mindful about playing tunes loudly even in the comfort of your own home Also...
Saudi to expel foreigners disrespecting Ramadan
Al Arabiya English | 9 July 2013
Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/07/09/Saudi-to-expel-foreigners-disrespecting-Ramadan-.html
“Non-Muslim residents in the kingdom must not eat or drink in public during Ramadan, in respect to the holiness of Ramadan and the feelings of Muslims,” said an interior ministry statement published by the official SPA news agency. Foreigners caught breaking the fast in public “will be subject to deterrent measures that include terminating their employment contracts and expelling them from the kingdom,” the ministry said. It added that “companies, corporations and individuals are required to inform their employees” of the rules.
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scot47

Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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Do not eat drink or smoke in public during daylight - or anywhere you might be seen by the faithful.
For safety reasons stay off the roads when it gets near to fast-breaking time ("Iftar") |
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CANDLES

Joined: 01 Nov 2011 Posts: 605 Location: Wandering aimlessly.....
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Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2014 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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Most non-Muslims do abide and respect this time of the year. You can eat, but do so away from the people who are fasting, eat & drink in an empty room. |
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scotchanddiet
Joined: 05 Jun 2014 Posts: 2 Location: Georgia,USA
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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and definitely don't be on the road in the hour leading up to Iftar!!!
Very dangerous |
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nomad soul

Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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scotchanddiet wrote: |
and definitely don't be on the road in the hour leading up to Iftar!!!
Very dangerous |
Plus, it's often difficult to get a taxi close to iftar because the drivers are intent on heading straight their homes. |
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The Fifth Column

Joined: 11 Jun 2014 Posts: 331 Location: His habitude with lexical items protrudes not unlike a damaged pollex!!!
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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nomad soul wrote: |
scotchanddiet wrote: |
and definitely don't be on the road in the hour leading up to Iftar!!!
Very dangerous |
Plus, it's often difficult to get a taxi close to iftar because the drivers are intent on heading straight their homes. |
I am told that driving around Riyadh approximately 10-15 minutes before the breaking of the "fast" reminds one of being on the set of "The Omega Man" (or "I Am Legend" for you younger "hip-hop" types)! |
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SirAristede
Joined: 26 May 2014 Posts: 83 Location: Salmiya, Al 'Āşimah, Kuwait
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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Ramadan: The time of year when Saudis show you how horribly they truly can drive.
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jaffa
Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Posts: 403
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Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2014 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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SirAristede wrote: |
Ramadan: The time of year when Saudis show you how horribly they truly can drive.  |
You can see that all year.
I once spent a week in Saudi during Ramadan and used to smoke in an unfinished office. They were yet to put the bathroom fittings in so I sat on the toilet which was covered in a plastic sheet. One time a car drew up outside, voices got out and came in to inspect the unfinished office, then, thank god, they left. I did almost get caught by a Moo-tower after a Jordanian colleague tipped him off. I closed and locked my office door to eat.
Prices go through the roof too. Three or four times increase. Ramadan is much like Christmas in that it is a money-making venture and lasts much longer. |
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plumpy nut
Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652
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Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2014 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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CANDLES wrote: |
Most non-Muslims do abide and respect this time of the year. You can eat, but do so away from the people who are fasting, eat & drink in an empty room. |
Make sure no one is around to see you eat or drink. Don't even eat as much as a candy bar outside. I was stopped while doing this and told not to. |
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