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sahara musafir · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 22

My wife and I will arrive in the Eastern Provinces with our two daughters right in the middle of Ramadan. Can anyone give us an idea of what to expect when we get there? It will be our first time ever in Saudi Arabia. Will arriving during Ramadan make the transition more challenging?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Sure it will. How to adjust ? Sleep by day and do things at night.

007 · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 2:05 pm Post subject: Re: Ramadan Arrival

susan69 · Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 5 Location: Kansas City

When is the first day of Fall Semester 2010 ? Do you have break at the end of Ramadan ? if yes, how many days ?

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 2:17 am Post subject:

If your daughters are truly below the age of puberty, they are allowed to eat and drink in public...but it is still not encouraged.

You and your husband will have to refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn until sundown in public. What happens inside your own house is your own business, and most places of work will provide a hidden area for non-Muslims during this time.

You should not play loud music during Ramadan, even at night. There will be lots of festive Iftar dinners, but with no music or dancing.

In most places, women are expected to tone down the self-adornment. It is respectful for you to wear little or no make-up during this time, and some women who do not usually wear hijab will put a scarf over their hair when they are out during the day. Men are not supposed to think of women and sex during this time, so at this time it is more important than usual to refrain from attracting the attention of the opposite sex.

All restaurants are closed during the daylight hours, but supermarkets will be open all day long, so that women can cook for the big meal at the end of the fast. They are allowed to taste the food they are cooking to see if they've got it salty enough!

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

To supplement Mia:

http://workinginsaudiarabia.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-09-18T05%3A14%3A00%2B03%3A00&max-results=5

During Ramadan

I would like to begin this post with my hearty Ramadan greetings to all fellow-expatriates. This post may be useful for newly-arrived expatriates working in Saudi Arabia and also for those who are planning to arrive soon.

Ramadan is a month in Islamic calendar in which Muslims all over the world fast from dawn to dusk. This is considered a holy month by Muslims in which they are required to refrain from eating, smoking or drinking from sunrise to sunset. The dates of Ramadan keep moving by about 10 days each year. The elderly, sick, children, pregnant women, nursing mothers and people who are travelling are exempt from fasting.

For first-timers and new comers, particularly non-Muslims, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Never ever eat or drink in public or in front of your Muslim colleagues / friends. Not only is it severely punishable by law, it also goes without saying that it is morally binding on you not to do so. Most work places have designated separate areas for non-Muslims where you can eat or drink within closed doors and your Muslim colleagues would avoid such places. Make sure you spray some air freshener in the area once you have finished your food, to curb any smell which may emanate. Respect the sentiments of your fasting colleagues and you would get back the same from them.

One of the most dangerous time to drive is about 30 minutes prior to dusk. This is the time when some people drive like crazy and it is quite common to see cars jumping the red light. They somehow want to reach home to be in time to break their fast. Whenever possible, please avoid driving during this time for your own safety.

Expatriates requiring liaisoning work with Government agencies must be prepared for delays. For example, if your iqama gets processed in 30 days during normal times, there would be more delay during Ramadan. So, you should be well-prepared for such delays. I would also advise expatriates to book your flights well in advance, if you are going to travel home, particularly during the last one week of Ramadan. All flights would go packed with travellers going home for Eid holidays. Advance booking would ensure that you get your seats on the flight and also not put a hole in your pocket.

The normal working hours for Muslims is 6 hours and for non-Muslims is 8 hours during Ramadan. You would find that the entire city would come to life at night. Most of the shops open around 8.30 pm and stay open until the wee hours of morning.

The last 10 days of Ramadan is really a sight to see. All supermarkets would be jam packed, people would be shopping excitedly, packing their trolleys with all kinds of stuff as though there would be no food available the next day! But this is again, part of the fun. Road-side eateries would spring up and you shouldn't be surprised to see people offering you fruit juice packets at gasoline stations just before the sun sets. This is also a great time to get some really cheap stuff in the second hand markets. Most Saudis dispose off almost brand-new items during this time, and you could strike a good bargain. This is particularly applicable for those who are just setting up their families and want to buy some good furniture.

Have a nice time and may this festive season usher in good times for all fellow-expatriates!

svatopluk · Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 81

It gives them an excuse to do even less than usual. Also, Bahrain is packed at the end of the month and hotel rates double.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 6:56 pm Post subject:

Good point about not driving just before sunset. On the other hand, if you ever want to take a peaceful drive around the town with no dangerus traffic, it's fun to drive around just after sunset. You'll be the only one on the road!

During my last Ramadan in KSA, I was invited to many iftar feasts..two or three a week, at the houses of female Muslim friends. These were fun, giggly "girl parties" during which we laughed a lot and got to know one another more as friends than as colleagues. It is a time I look back on with fondness. But watch out...you can gain a lot of weight during the month of fasting Very Happy

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Food consumption rises in the Month of Fasting. Go and work that one out.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:44 pm Post subject:

Welcome back, �' denizen of the Clyde Estuary!

NCTBA

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

He's only been gone for 2 or 3 days... Shocked

I remember how surprised I was when I learned that food sales more than doubles in Muslim countries during the month of Ramadhan. That is when I learned that it has become rather synonymous to the Christmas season in Christian countries. An excuse to visit everyone and eat and eat... but in Muslim countries they do all their eating between sunset and sunrise.

VS

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 2:20 am Post subject:

Maybe I've been focused on "others" and had missed his voice of reason...

scot, to paraphrase another poster..."the loonies are in migration"! Laughing

NCTBA

isabel · Joined: 07 Mar 2003 Posts: 510 Location: God's green earth

Yeah- Saudi Arabia- where a month of fasting causes serious weight gain. Such hypocrisy. The sense of moral superiority, when they can't even fast for a month with a straight face.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2010 5:26 am Post subject:

Amen...

NCTBA

bje · Joined: 19 Jun 2005 Posts: 527

Same nightly gorgefest applies in Kuwait and the UAE.