Spugsy

...I'm off back to the Uk in 3 weeks, having a great week back home then when I come back it's Ramadam,

Now bearing in mind this is my first one, can you all fill me in, I'm sure there's plenty of others on here who also don't know the full story,

so....There is no eating or drinking AT ALL in public?? on the streets, at work, so I can't even have a glass of water at work?

Is this all day or between (I think) 6am and 6pm?

Are the bars and restaurants open?

Can young kids drink and eat then? seems unfair if they can't,

Is there anything else you can or can't do?

Cheers....

Chris79

Glad you've asked this bud. I haven't a clue either. I can see me ending up in jail for doing the wrong thing. TBH if they think I'm going to be working outside without drinks etc they can get fu cked.

Spugsy

yeah it's all a bit mad really, also I tried to shake the hand of some muslim girl yesterday as well, which apparently is a no-no.

Madam Medusa

you can eat and drink in the privacy of your own home, and office depending whether you have muslim colleagues or not...hotels all have restaurants open, usually behind a screen...and an increasing number of other food and beverage outlets are open every year, again, behind screens etc...

there is no alcohol until 7pm, and no live music at all during the whole of ramadan...

children, pregnant women (and maybe old people) are exempt from fasting...

for muslims, it's no food, drink, smoking or sex between sunrise and sunset...

MM, xx

Dutchie

As far as I can remember? No eating, drinking or smoking in between sun rise and sun set in public. And that for one lunar month. I don't know if it applies for small children and / or babies though.

Dutchie

Spugsy

ah right, I think we'll have a few rooms here for food as we're got stacks of muslims,

although being a local, muslim company - apparently for the whole of Ramadam we work 8am-1pm - yay!

Spugsy

erm, may sound daft but can you still buy stuff in shops? crisps, water etc etc then take it back to your place and eat it?

Dutchie

That is if your Muslim colleague's show up for work.

Dutchie

Meow

You should refrain from eating, drinking and smoking in public. A few cafes & restaurants will be open during the day, but will be screened from public view. Most places will be shut until around 6.30pm.

In most offices it is OK to eat or drink, but depending on the company and make up of the staff, you may be expected to do so discretely, perhaps in a separate room.

No alcohol will be served anywhere until the evening and there will be no live music.

Children, pregnant woman, the very elderly or infirm do not have to fast.

Employees have to have their working day shortened by two hours, but driving late afternoon should be avoided as much as possible. Too many people on the raods, dehydrated andwith low blood sugar, trying to get home for the Iftar meal.

It's not so bad. You just have to plan a little better and don't make any lunch dates.


Spugsy - never offer to shake the hand of a muslim woman. Some will offer their hand to you, but otherwise just be polite and smile.

-

MataHari

ok...it's my 4th Ramadan here....basically things wind down...people work shorter hours, schools start a bit later and finish a bit earlier...
Little kids can still eat and drink...
A lot of the restaurants/coffeeshops are closed during the day, but over the past 2 years there are more and more that open up in areas like DMC...hotels will have a section curtained off for guests...
After sunset, breaking the fast, there is Iftar, when people will eat and drink for the first time that day...
Whether or not you can eat and drink in your office depends a bit on the people around you and if there are people fasting around you...
I'd never eat or drink in public during Ramadan (although I do sometimes have a bottle of water in the car if I am going somewhere 'far away' and sneak a sip when I think no one can see me...)
Generally people are expected to be even more respectful of the rules and regulations....

Madam Medusa

yes, you can still buy everything...

MM, xx

shiva

ramadans fine. no big deal at all really. BUT only venture onto the roads around sunset if you have a death wish. Fasting does not a good driver make especially when they are in a hurry to get to Iftar


Make the most of it, its a bit like an xmas atmosphere for muslims so shops are open until the wee hours, all the restraunts will have an iftar/suhair buffet etc.

Personally I like ramadan and will probably fast again this year

MataHari

yes, you can buy everything...
not sure about take away or delivery...I seem to remember we wanted to order something last year but we had to wait till after Iftar...

shiva

delivery will most likely be after iftar but order early as all the takeaways will be mobbed at the same time.

jvr20

yeah if I'm still around these parts I will too (though I allowed myself water last year!)

Pizza Hut, Subway etc will also be open but only for take-away and deliveries.