Job Discussion Forums

[bulgogiboy]

Dear all,


I get the impression from what I read on this forum that Ramadan fasting is compulsory for everyone, including expats, in KSA? If so, I would assume that this wouldnt be enforced inside Western compounds?

During Ramadan you cant even drink water in public, even if its 50C? I know there are concessions made for certain groups of people such as pregnant women, but for me (healthy 30 yr old male) I could get into a lot of trouble for drinking water?

Ramadan is interesting, I remember in Turkey one of my police friends who was quite religious (actually most of them were, must be a peer pressure thing) was trying to plead the logic behind fasting by saying it was to remind people what it was like to be poor, hungry and thirsty. Sounds like a good idea in theory, but the reality of what I observed was something different.Once the sun went down the restaurants in Ankara were packed. Ramadan was the hardest time to book a table for an evening meal. The Turks would file into the restaurants and gorge themselves to bursting point, rewarding themselves for their day of successfully completed piety. Far from becoming a bit skinnier and gaunter looking like the 'poor people' they were supposed to be empathising with, a surprising number of students complained to me that they didnt like Ramadan because they GAINED weight!

So on at least one occasion I was teasing one of my police friends a bit (we had a good rapport-still do) and pointed out that if he wanted to see what it was like to be poor and thirsty, then he would be better to fast all day, and then when the sun went down, instead of stuffing his face with succulent kebabs, freshly-made bread and guzzling ice-cold coca-cola he should continue to abstain from eating. This would give a more realistic experience of being poverty-stricken.

He took it in good humour. I wouldnt attempt the same humour in KSA.

Is Ramadan fasting the same story in KSA? Saudis fasting all day to the point of low blood sugar and shaking, followed by gannet-like devouring of all food within the immediate vicinity once the sun goes down?

Does anyone on this board ever try to go along with the fasting, just to see if they can do it?

[veiledsentiments]

I have a number of friends who fasted during Ramadhan with their students, but not me. The rule for us is not eating, drinking, or smoking (or chewing gum even) in public during the fasting hours. Really, it is NOT a big deal. Just be respectful and your fellow teachers will show you the ropes of how it is dealt with at your employer. I always had water and snacks in my office and took care that no one saw me when I ate or drank.

Around the Middle East, the holiday month has rather turned into the way we do Christmas... eat eat eat. Most Muslims gain weight during the month and food sales double. There are a few people who stick to the idea of just eating lightly at night... but not many.

VS

[007]

[Le Petit Prince]

Most of those "Hadiths" are rather spurious to say the least.
My advice is to spend Ramadan in Thailand or Mykonos.

[bulgogiboy]

[quote="007"]

The most important side of the fasting is the abstain from immoral behavior and attitude as well [sic].

[quote]


During Ramadan, putting your 'bad' practices on hold for an allocated period of time and then going back to them once the time period is over, is about as genuine a display of piety as a Catholic willfully enjoying 'sin' and then going to confessional to 'purify' him/her self, only to go out and deliberately repeat the cycle again. What a waste of time.

Is 'God' so easily placated by these contrived and insincere displays of worship? I bloody wouldnt be.

[007]

[Mia Xanthi]

I agree with Cleopatra that Ramadan is not a big deal for non-Muslims in KSA. Restaurants are closed during the day, but supermarkets are open all day and late into the evening. As long as you don't eat, drink, or smoke in front of others, you're fine. Just bring your lunch to work and eat behind carefully closed doors. Children are exempt, so they can eat and drink even in public.

I had a colleague who continued to cook ramen noodles in the faculty kitchenette. Even though she didn't eat in public, I felt it was insensitive to prepare something with such a strong smell while others were fasting at work. Cooking at home during the day is no problem since everyone assumes that women will be cooking for the breaking of the fast.

It is also considered inappropriate to play music in public during Ramadan in KSA, so most non-Muslims turn down the volume during the day to avoid offending others. It would also be inappropriate to have loud parties even at night during Ramadan, since even on a compound you will probably have Muslim neighbors who will find it offensive.

[veiledsentiments]

pssst... Mia... it was me, not Cleo, but... no broblem...

VS

[bulgogiboy]

[Mia Xanthi]

Sorry, VS! Long day at work

[Citizenkane]

[trapezius]

[scot47]

There is, as in many spheres of life, a clear distinction between a "public place" and a "private place". Be sensible.

[bulgogiboy]

[quote="trapezius"]

[trapezius]

Well, they are [frowned], even though they are widely practiced! But, if you do your monkey business inside toilets, public or otherwise, there will be no one around to frown upon your antics (as long as you are not too loud!).