Iftar meetups
May 22nd 2017, 2:41 pm
#16
"Insert witty title here"
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: dxb
Posts: 2,251
Re: Iftar meetups
I guess I can do 1 or 3 iftars out of the house and I second Millhouse's point that Buffet Iftars are just a waste of money and time. I find it much better to walk into a proper resturant 40 minutes before it all begins, order something made specially for you and have it served at the right time
Like a well made steak...and mashed potatoes....and veggies!
Ok I know what Im having for dinner tonight!!!
anyway, point is, im in and yes Scamp is right, expect a 90% of no-show at these things mate
Like a well made steak...and mashed potatoes....and veggies!
Ok I know what Im having for dinner tonight!!!
anyway, point is, im in and yes Scamp is right, expect a 90% of no-show at these things mate
May 22nd 2017, 3:22 pm
#17
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 990
Re: Iftar meetups
I hate Iftar Buffets, like watching pigs at a trough.....went to a mosque a couple of years back with some muslim colleagues, and it was quite a nice experience
May 23rd 2017, 5:33 am
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2017
Location: Dubai
Posts: 237
Re: Iftar meetups
Haven't been to an Iftar yet but interested to see it first hand...
May 23rd 2017, 7:20 am
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,843
Re: Iftar meetups
totally agree with MILLHOUSE and BEEKEEPER.....however can count me in (always up for meeting new folks (ie have no friends lol)......although i would prefer to go for Suhar......that way you can order from a menu & also chill with a sheesha.
Of all the iftars i have done, the best one IMHO is the Al Majalis in Jumeriah Madinat.
Of all the iftars i have done, the best one IMHO is the Al Majalis in Jumeriah Madinat.
May 23rd 2017, 7:53 am
#20
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Re: Iftar meetups
totally agree with MILLHOUSE and BEEKEEPER.....however can count me in (always up for meeting new folks (ie have no friends lol)......although i would prefer to go for Suhar......that way you can order from a menu & also chill with a sheesha.
Of all the iftars i have done, the best one IMHO is the Al Majalis in Jumeriah Madinat.
Of all the iftars i have done, the best one IMHO is the Al Majalis in Jumeriah Madinat.
May 23rd 2017, 9:21 am
#23
...we killed the flame
Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Dubai
Posts: 1,086
Re: Iftar meetups
It's a transliteration so can be spelled several ways I guess and I've seen both on signs. It's usually spelled Sohar but pronounced with the neutral Arabic vowel and sounds more like Suhar. The same neutral vowel sound that is written as "a" in al, "e" in etihad or "i" in ittihad (same word) but actually sounds more like "u" (like in but) when you say it... Go figure.
May 23rd 2017, 10:47 am
#24
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Re: Iftar meetups
It's a transliteration so can be spelled several ways I guess and I've seen both on signs. It's usually spelled Sohar but pronounced with the neutral Arabic vowel and sounds more like Suhar. The same neutral vowel sound that is written as "a" in al, "e" in etihad or "i" in ittihad (same word) but actually sounds more like "u" (like in but) when you say it... Go figure.
) she would know best. Turns out you knew better. 
May 23rd 2017, 11:03 am
#25
Bored liberal
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Over there ----->
Posts: 13,713
Re: Iftar meetups
... and most Iftar's are shite.
You stand in a room looking at a great buffet with people starving to eat it. Then the bell rings and it's like animals to the feeding pot. 15mins later, everyone is stuffed and giggy. 30mins after that the hotel kicks you out so they can set up for Sohar.
So you have probably 60mins in the room: 15 looking at the food with people wanting to faint, 15 eating, 15 passing out, 15 getting ready to leave.
Of course, it shouldn't be like that... but that's generally how a 5* hotel iftar works.
You stand in a room looking at a great buffet with people starving to eat it. Then the bell rings and it's like animals to the feeding pot. 15mins later, everyone is stuffed and giggy. 30mins after that the hotel kicks you out so they can set up for Sohar.
So you have probably 60mins in the room: 15 looking at the food with people wanting to faint, 15 eating, 15 passing out, 15 getting ready to leave.
Of course, it shouldn't be like that... but that's generally how a 5* hotel iftar works.
And this is precisely why I don't go to any these days. It's all horribly rushed and not a very pleasant experience. Besides I don't fast so I feel obliged to wait for all those who have been to go up first so have even less time to enjoy a meal. I think I am somewhat over buffets anyway.
May 23rd 2017, 11:05 am
#26
...we killed the flame
Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Dubai
Posts: 1,086
Re: Iftar meetups
Still I've seen arguments on Dubai internet forums where Pakistanis are arguing with Arabs insisting that the (Arabic name of the) holy month is correctly pronounced Ramazan.
And then there's the North/South division on the pronunciation of the Hindu new year (Diwali versus Deepavalli) which also seems to stir up strong emotions. People get very attached to things they were taught as youngsters and often can't accept any alternative even when it's demonstrably wrong. Hence religion and all that. And Daily Mail readers of course....
Last edited by Miss Ann Thrope; May 23rd 2017 at 11:07 am.
May 23rd 2017, 11:11 am
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Re: Iftar meetups
About the pre-fasting meal, which is suhoor, you mean? I guess infinite variations that sound the same are acceptable - I don't think either Sohar or Suhar meet the standard...
Still I've seen arguments on Dubai internet forums where Pakistanis are arguing with Arabs insisting that the (Arabic name of the) holy month is correctly pronounced Ramazan.
And then there's the North/South division on the pronunciation of the Hindu new year (Diwali versus Deepavalli) which also seems to stir up strong emotions. People get very attached to things they were taught as youngsters and often can't accept any alternative even when it's demonstrably wrong. Hence religion and all that. And Daily Mail readers of course....
Still I've seen arguments on Dubai internet forums where Pakistanis are arguing with Arabs insisting that the (Arabic name of the) holy month is correctly pronounced Ramazan.
And then there's the North/South division on the pronunciation of the Hindu new year (Diwali versus Deepavalli) which also seems to stir up strong emotions. People get very attached to things they were taught as youngsters and often can't accept any alternative even when it's demonstrably wrong. Hence religion and all that. And Daily Mail readers of course....
even better - i'm confusing it with a port project we worked on once.
May 23rd 2017, 11:48 am
#28
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,843
Re: Iftar meetups
About the pre-fasting meal, which is suhoor, you mean? I guess infinite variations that sound the same are acceptable - I don't think either Sohar or Suhar meet the standard...
Still I've seen arguments on Dubai internet forums where Pakistanis are arguing with Arabs insisting that the (Arabic name of the) holy month is correctly pronounced Ramazan.
And then there's the North/South division on the pronunciation of the Hindu new year (Diwali versus Deepavalli) which also seems to stir up strong emotions. People get very attached to things they were taught as youngsters and often can't accept any alternative even when it's demonstrably wrong. Hence religion and all that. And Daily Mail readers of course....
Still I've seen arguments on Dubai internet forums where Pakistanis are arguing with Arabs insisting that the (Arabic name of the) holy month is correctly pronounced Ramazan.
And then there's the North/South division on the pronunciation of the Hindu new year (Diwali versus Deepavalli) which also seems to stir up strong emotions. People get very attached to things they were taught as youngsters and often can't accept any alternative even when it's demonstrably wrong. Hence religion and all that. And Daily Mail readers of course....
MISS i must say i am in awe of your knowledge around things like this
