RAMADAN RAMBLINGS....

Beautiful Ramadan decorations adorn Dubai.  The Mall of the Emirates is especially beautiful this time of year!

The Jumeirah Beach Walk is almost a mile long and only one of its four-plus Starbucks is open for take-away during Ramadan.  Here's my coffee, wrapped up oh so neatly in a Starbucks bag, so no fasting Muslim will have a clue as to what is hiding inside!  

And here is Tedders this morning in my arms, at the Al Safa Vet Clinic, while I visited.   They gave him a shot of cortisone to help reduce his enlarged (omg) pancreas and are sending him home at 4:30PM.  Wish us luck....lots and lots of luck.

Ramadan Kareem!

IFTAR BUFFET AT ASATEER @ THE ATLANTIS ON THE PALM

Going to the Atlantis on the crescent of The Palm, Jumeirah is always a wonderful experience.  And it's always on our "must see" list for visitors.

Friday night we enjoyed another side of the Atlantis that we had never seen before -- we shared an Iftar feast at the Asateer Tent at The Atlantis. 

A huge (and I mean huge!) tent was erected a couple of years ago to hold the special Arabian Iftar Buffet.  The tent is humongous and holds around 795 guests.  I'll not bore you with details, as the pictures show it a lot better than I can describe it!  In one word: MAGNIFICENT!!

The atmosphere inside that tent was so exciting!  We got there before "The Call To Prayer", so no one was eating yet.  However, that didn't stop all the visitors, that had been fasting all day, from filling their plates so that they would be ready the minute they could eat!

I wish I could have taken a picture of a group of young (adorable) Emirati men who walked by me with plates piled high with dates!  They break the fast here with dates -- and man were these guys ready to break their fast!  They were hungry! 

At another table was a group of about ten young Emirati women all dressed in their abayas.  They sat around a table with their plates filled waiting patiently for "The Call To Prayer".  And what were they doing?  Each one of them had their cell phones "a la bling" out texting!  Oh, it would have made an awesome photo!

We had a great time walking around and were amazed by everything inside the tent!  Not only was the food presentation amazing, but the seating areas and the booths and the light fixtures were too!

Once "The Call To Prayer" was heard, everyone dug into the feast that was provided!  And, oh my, oh my, was it ever delicious!  You name it, they had it!  Not to mention all the stuff we couldn't name!

After tea and coffee was served, it was time to leave.  We were told that the food would disappear quickly and the local Emirati men would come in and spend the night playing cards and backgammon and new to Asateer this year....video games. Then, before sunrise, the suhoor meal would be served and then the fast for another day would begin.

Asateer at The Atlantis, The Palm was the perfect venue for an Iftar Buffet!  Shared with good friends, the night couldn't be beat!  It should definately be on your "Must Do" list!

SHOW ME BABY, ONE MORE TIME!!

What's that?  You want me to show you, one more time, what Ramadan looks like?  Gladly!!

Yesterday we drove past one of my favorite places.....

and noticed something posted on the doors.

Wow, oh wow.....a permit to be opened during Ramadan?    (I've been told restaurants that want to stay open this holy month spend 5,000 dirhams for a permit allowing them to keep their doors open.)

Oh NO!!  Open, but not exactly OPEN!!

So I walked inside and what did I see?  I saw RAMADAN in that Starbucks, that's what I saw!  At first glance, however, it looked quite normal.

But then I noticed....

black curtains covering the windows and doors.....

every chair in the place was upturned......

and all of the cushions were stacked in the corners!!  Obviously, they didn't want anyone getting too comfortable there!

I ordered, "One venti Americano, black, for take away, please."  And it came looking like this.......

Yes, it was discreetly concealed in a brown paper bag so that no one that was fasting would be offended!

And that, my friends, is what Ramadan looks like!  And this is what I looked like after finding a Starbucks open (kind of) for business!!

WHAT, EXACTLY, IS RAMADAN?

Although this is the second Ramadan that John and I have experienced here in Dubai, we are learning more and more about this special month!  Our Time Out Dubai weekly magazine (and supplements) has a wealth of information between its pages on the holy month of Ramadan.

I thought one article in particular was excellent.  I learned a lot -- so I am printing part of it here --  and hope you do too!  (Taken from an interview with a local Muslim, Tahseen Khatib, and printed in Time Out Dubai's: Ramadan: Your Guide To The Holy Month supplement.)

How would you explain Ramadan to someone who is not a Muslim?

"Ramadan is a month of blessings, rewards, unity and above all it is a month of mercy and forgiveness.  During Ramadan, we can seek forgiveness from Allah for all our past sins, and the position of the one who fasts in Ramadan is elevated.  During the day, we refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and intimacy with our spouse.  Freed from the preoccupation of satisfying our physical needs, we can focus on building our spiritual selves.  It's the perfect time for personal reflection, greater devotion to Allah and a means of learning self-control.  The addition of extra prayers at night (Taraweeh), help strengthen our faith and willpower.  The whole community comes together to understand Islam better and improve our way of living.

The Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in this month and reading it and reflecting on its teachings, paying Zakat (giving charity to the poor), purifying one's behaviour and doing good deeds, all encompass the purpose of Ramadan.

Why do you fast?

Fasting allows me to appreciate the gifts I have been given in life, and break the habits I don't like.  Ramadan gives me the chance to re-boot my daily schedule and drop any activity that is not beneficial to me or those around me.  When I'm fasting I get to experience what real hunger feels like for those unfortunate people around the world who live in poverty.  It's a humbling experience and a stark lesson in overindulgence.  Fasting is also good for your health, like a month-long detox session for the body, provided you avoid all the over-the-top iftar buffets.

What does the month mean personally to you and your family?

It's a time of togetherness and sharing.  My whole family comes together for the suhoor (the breakfast meal) before Fajr (the morning call to prayer) and iftar (breaking the fast)just after Maghrib (the evening call to prayer) where we break our fast.  We eat together and pray together, take part in family discussions on faith and guide each other on the path to becoming better Muslims.  We send 'iftari' (a selection of the food items prepared for Iftar) with dates to our neighbours and relatives, and invite them to our home to share iftar."

How should non-Muslims treat friends and colleagues observing the fast?

"We should all be compassionate towards each others' religions.  You should avoid eating, drinking or smoking in front of fasting colleagues.  This is the rule laid down by the UAE government as well.  It's prohibited to eat and drink in public."

Are Muslims more tolerant of non-Muslims making mistakes during Ramadan these days?

"Forgiveness and tolerance are major teachings of Islam best described in these verses of the Qur'an: 'There is no compulsion in religion' and 'To you be your Faith, and to me mine.' The Prophet (P.B.U.H) (peace be upon him) also warned against maltreatment of people of other faiths.  He said: 'Beware!  Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, or curtails their rights, or burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.' "(Hadith:Abu Dawud) 

I sure hope you learned something about Ramadan from the above interview!  I know I did!  Last, but certainly not least, I will leave you with a few Do's & Don'ts (taken from the same Time Out Dubai's Ramadan supplement).

DON'T "dance or sing in public at any time.  Most major nightclubs will be shut, but bars will generally be open after sunset.  There is also no live music (other than oud players and the like) and nothing above quiet background music in bars and pubs."

DON'T "wear revealing or tight clothes in public -- even when you are going for a night out."

DON'T "smoke, drink, chew gum or eat in public in the hours between sunrise and sunset.  It's not only seen as offensive, but could get you a warning from the police or even a short spell in jail for any flagrant flouting of the rules."

DON'T "swear in public.  Blasphemy is frowned upon at the best of times, but during the Holy Month it's particularly insulting."

DON'T "play loud music at any time in your car, on the beach or even at home."

DO "get into the charitable spirit.  You don't have to spend the earth -- small gestures go a long way, from buying a construction worker a bottle of water to fostering a stray kitten or dog."

DO "make the most of the community spirit and sumptuous food to be found in the iftar tents at the city's hotels.  It's a great opportunity to relax, play games and experience some traditional Arabic entertainment."

And that is what Ramadan is....in a nutshell!*!  Pretty cool, eh?

RAMADAN KAREEM.

RAMADAN KAREEM.  I'm trying, I really am.  I drove John to work this morning so that I would have the car.  You know, typical errands to run.

So I went to the MOE -- Mall of the Emirates.  Do you want to know what Ramadan LOOKS LIKE?  See for yourself......

The restaurants are closed,

there is not a soul there.

The tables sit empty,

the patrons are in prayer.

The coffee shops are dark,

the food court is too. 

The chairs are all up turned,

And I'm feeling so blue!

This food court is always bustling with people from all over the world.  It always cracks me up seeing the westerners eating the shawarmas and Indian curries and seeing the locals in their kandoras eating Big Macs!  That's what I love about this place!

But not today.  Today the food court resembled an abandoned bowling alley.  There was no hustle.  There was no bustle.  And there certainly was no ball rolling through it knocking down pins.

And do you know what Ramadan FEELS LIKE?  It feels hungry and very, very, VERY thirsty.  Oooops, I mean I am hungry and I am very, very, VERY thirsty.  Today is one of the longest days in Ramadan history....14 long hours of fasting in temperatures well over 100 degrees.

I guess I'll head home and have lunch and drink my weight in liquids while I read all about it! 

Ramadan Kareem....and it's only DAY ONE!*!

IT'S OFFICIAL!

It is official here in the UAE: Ramadan will begin tomorrow, August 1, 2011.  How do I know this?

For Muslims that means no more eating or drinking (even water) from sunrise to sunset.  After sunset.....look out!!

To get the real scoop on fasting during Ramadan, go to:

http://www.masjidtucson.org/submission/practices/ramadan/ramadanintro.html

What does Ramadan mean to me?  Well, let's just say it takes the coffee out of the coffee shops; the eggs out of breakfast cafes; the sandwiches off of lunch menus; and makes dinner time later than ever!  That's all.  Just the fact that every coffee shop, cafe, restaurant, etc. will be CLOSED until sunset....every day of August. That's all.

ARGH!  I really shouldn't complain.  But I do.  But I really shouldn't because at least I can eat and drink.....just not in public during Ramadan.

So, I gotta run!  I'm meeting some friends for our "THIS IS IT" coffee at a coffee shop nearby. 

THE COUNTDOWN HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN!

TEN DAYS until Ramadan is over!

RAMADAN TOP TIP!

Read carefully!  This "TOP TIP" was sent to John regarding Ramadan:

“TOP TIP:  "Be extra cautious with driving during Ramadan, ESPECIALLY around Iftar (sunset). Some drivers are in a real hurry to get home and have not eaten or taken water for nearly 14 hrs (do the math).”

All righty then!! :):)