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[nomad soul]

The official start date for the month of Ramadan 2012 is July 20. If you're slated to arrive in a Muslim country around the time of Ramadan and it's your first time in the region, I suggest you read up starting wth the following:

Traveling during Ramadan
(Source: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/be-a-responsible-tourist/travelling-during-ramadan )

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. You should be aware that levels of observance of Ramadan will vary in different countries and cultures but most Muslims will conform to some extent with the requirements of the fast - that they fast between dawn and sunset. This means they can�t eat, drink, smoke or even chew gum during daylight hours. Muslims use this time of abstention for prayer, contemplation and charitable work.

If you�re travelling to a Muslim country during Ramadan, you should be sensitive to the fast:

* Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public � many people will understand that you aren�t under the same obligation to fast but will appreciate your awareness.
* In some Muslim countries, it�s actually illegal to eat and drink in daylight during Ramadan.
* Some restaurants will close or operate amended opening hours during Ramadan.
* Restaurants that cater to tourists should open as usual but hotels will sometimes use screens to keep western diners sectioned off from Islamic guests.
* Business hours may become shorter in the day.

It�s not impossible to travel or do business in Islamic countries during Ramadan, but different rules do apply. Seek local advice on arrival either from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.

Iftar � breaking the fast: Iftar is the time each day when the fast is broken and a meal is taken with family and friends. During Iftar there is additional pressure on taxis and other public transport, so it�s a good idea to time your movements around avoiding having to travel at this time.

Eid � the end of the fast: As the end of Ramadan approaches, there is normally a lot of activity as people traditionally visit families to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, the three-day festival marking the end of the fast. You should plan accordingly if you�re planning to travel at this time.

See also http://www.arabianbusiness.com/ramadan-etiquette-413304.html?view=profile&itemid=413290

(Reposted from 2011, http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=90799 )

[scot47]

Every year in my experince in KSA there are cases of hapless (or stupid) non-Muslims getting into REAL trouble for eating or smoking in public or engaging in INAPPROPRIATE behaviour duting the month of Ramadan. LEARN THE RULES !

[veiledsentiments]

Note that eating includes chewing gum.

VS

[posh]

I'm given a key to the roof where I can smoke. There are various concealed spots where I eat.

[veiledsentiments]

Every place that I worked there was some place set aside. At most, we just closed our office doors and ate/drank in there. The students were aware to knock first. At places with large group rooms for teachers, there was a lunch room. That was normally just for faculty, but during Ramadhan the women students also joined us in there at the times that they were not fasting. (once a month in case you men are unaware)

VS

[Mushakil]

One nice advantage of Ramadhan is that many international and local hotels have tantalizing buffets. They are also priced well, many hotels offer an all you can eat buffet for around $30-40 US. My favorites are the Rotana hotels in the Emirates, Sheraton (3 tier chocolate fountain...oh yah) and Marriott which are located everywhere. I cannot describe how much I miss these buffets when I am living in the West.


One thing that I have noticed during Ramadhan is that about an hour before "iftar" or the time that Muslims break their fast, driving in the cities is more dangerous. Think about thousands of people driving around who are usually hungry, thirsty and can't concentrate very well. Many accidents occur at this time, so be extra vigilant when driving.

Also, you might want to read about dates, as they are a wildly popular food throughout the year and especially during Ramadhan. Also, if you are teaching in the Middle East be aware that during the end of the day your students will be very tired and possibly cranky.

[Cool Teacher]

TomorroW!

Many of my Muslim friedns use this timw to give up alcohol. That's true by the way.

[scot47]

Lots of Muslims use this month as a time to quit smoking.

[rdobbs98]

As a Muslim it is a tough time of year dealing with Muslims but so is hearing "Inshallah", I can't stand the term as do most non-Muslims. I and my family never cared much about people eating in front of us because we already had in mind how much we were going to eat between sunset and sunrise, yes the days are really messed up and why many Muslims stay up late.

Most Muslims will eat like crazy before Fajr, sunrise, so to get the calories in you to at least make it to noon before starting to get hungry. We always break the fast with dates, then go pray Mahgreb, and then its time to chow down.

But as with anything in Islam, you have ways to get out of fasting: illness, medication, condition of health, children, elderly, or you can just break the fast and give either food or money to the poor. Many Muslims will have days that you have to eat, some sort of functions, so we just give money or food to a pantry or help a needy family. I normally have a couple of days during Ramadan this happens and give money to a pantry.