Job Discussion Forums

[scot47]

Ramadan is coming - soon. Any thought or reminiscences about Ramadan in this blessed land ?

[Cleopatra]

I have mixed feelings about Ramadhan. On the one hand I of course enjoy the shortened work day and the lack of cars on the street in the mornings. On the other hand, it can be a pain when nothing is open during the day and you can't enjoy a nice cup of coffee in your office!

[007]

[scot47]

For those illiterate in Arabic, Cleo's cartoon reads, "Good Morning, Beirut !"

[trapezius]

We will have shortened hours during the day, but then classes will continue from 10 pm till about 1 am.

Silly, right?

My classes in the regular timetable for Fall term start at 3, so I bet in the Ramadan timetable, they will all be moved to 10 pm. That's not bad, but if I have to go in during the day, and then again late night, that would s*ck.

Also, at my previous job, there were some non-fasters, so I would just go to their offices to eat/drink, but at my new job, no non-fasters, and faculty offices are shared by 2 faculty members, so I will probably have to smuggle something into the restroom stall to eat if I have to go in during the day. However, if it is only a couple of hours, then that's fine.

[Cleopatra]

[Bebsi]

In any decent workplace, they have a practice of making a room available for non-Muslims in which to eat, drink, smoke etc.

Of course, non-Ms should always avoid eating or drinking in front of Muslim colleagues. Apart from the discourtesy factor, it really is torture to them, especially if it's hot outside and you're sitting there swigging from a condensation coated bottle of lovely, cool Najran water!!

I've never had any probs at Ramadan (apart from sleeping students of course) I must say, it's really all about mutual respect and accomodation.

[Van Norden]

I'm not at all religious, but there's something about Ramadan that makes me feel great. Almost euphoric. The Hadj too. Little things fill me with joy, like the 'click' sound when I lock my suitcase, and the 'toot' of the taxi that's come to take me to the airport. Even Riyadh airport - with all the thobes and beards and those instant coffee stalls - takes on magical qualities.

Seriously, though, in the limited time I spent 'in Kingdom' during Ramadan, I did enjoy sleeping in (a rare treat in my field where the alarm's often set for 3am!) And, when I had to teach, it was good to have a legitimate excuse for all those sleeping shebab.

[furiousmilksheikali]

[Van Norden]

A bit unfair there, furious one. I did try hard to find God but I always fell at the theodicy hurdle.

Your second 'slur' is also uncalled for. Sure I like to kid around (who doesn't?), but I've made a lot of serious contributions to this forum. You obviously missed me on the recent 'Tofu' thread. I was a mine of information, even if I do say so myself.
He's quick with the joke, or to light up your smoke, but there's some place that he'd rather be.

Imagine Ramadan in Japan! I can see Shinjuku or Shibuya: all thobes and beards; the kogyaru covered head to toe in black; the izakayas closed; and nothing but apple juice to wash down your sushi. How nice it would be.

[007]

[furiousmilksheikali]

[scot47]

Cobra

Van Norden is raising the question of how we can reconcile the existence of evil and suffereing in the world with a benevolent God. I am not sure that I can help on that front.

[Van Norden]

[furiousmilksheikali]