In a discussion with some friends, we discussed how back in the States, we had no notion of when Ramadan was happening. You might see it on a calendar which really just meant you had a vague idea of when it started. We had no idea how long it lasted. We had no idea what it meant. My first Ramadan in the Middle East has been quite an eye opening experience.
Ramadan Mubarak: The way to wish your Muslim friends a happy Ramadan.
Let's start with the logistics. The Islamic Calendar is a lunar calendar. This means that the month of Ramadan lasts 29 or 30 days (a lunar month is 29 1/2 days). It moves approximately 11 days forward each year. This means that while it is mostly in May this year, next year it will start in April. It also begins when the local moon watchers see the required first crescent of a new moon in the sky. It was not seen here on the evening of May 5th like it was in the UAE, so we started a day later. It's quite honestly a little insane since the phases of the moon can and are tracked.
During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to fast during the daylight hours. This is quite a lot of time here in Oman where Muscat sits just north of the Tropic of Cancer. The sun rises around 5:20am and sets around 6:50pm. This time has obviously been getting longer as Ramadan has continued thanks to the fact that the Summer Solstice is getting closer. Included in fast, Muslims abstain from drinking anything (including water), eating anything, smoking, and doing anything pleasurable which can include listening to music. For these reasons, eating, drinking, smoking, and listening to loud music are all banned in Oman and other Middle East countries during Ramadan. These bans include what you do in your car as that is easily seen in public. It also means that all restaurants are closed during the day. Some offer delivery or open slightly early for take out. There was one Starbucks that has a drive thru that was open. To give you a humorous feel for fasting, enjoy this video I heard on the radio (side note: I rarely listen to the radio here, but it was the best option when I was driving J to a birthday party without E so listening to our audiobook seemed like a bad option).
A local restaurant, Kargeen, decorated for Ramadan. Apparently, they have a very good and authentic Iftar buffet.
Each day, Muslims begin with Suhoor before dawn. This is a hearty meal that typically ends with dates. Each day they break their fast with Iftar which happens after the sun sets. Iftar typically begins with water and dates. Eating well past Iftar and through the night are not unusual activities. The mall food courts get a surge around 11pm. For this reason plus the lack of food and water consumed during the day, Muslims in Oman are only required to work 6 hours a day during Ramadan. Their hours are 8am to 2pm. The month of Ramadan is immediately followed by Eid al-Fitr. This is a three day celebration of the breaking of the fast. Some have compared it's celebration to Christmas as it is one of their big, religious holidays, local stores may be closed, and Eid gifts are exchanged.
To wish a Muslim friend "Happy Ramadan", you should say "Ramadan Mubarak." Many stores around here have signs that say "Ramadan Kareem," though my brief research indicates you should say "Ramadan Mubarak." Apparently, "Ramadan Kareem" means "may Ramadan be generous to you." Unfortunately, I said neither to anybody. I'm not always great about remembering to use the little bit of Arabic I know. I really should have done better as I did appreciate it when people here would tell me "Merry Christmas" (or "Happy Christmas" as there is a strong British influence here, and that's what Brits say). For Eid, you would say "Eid Mubarak."
Many stores will have their own versions of "Ramadan Kareem" signs like this in Oman.
I hope all of these little tid bits of information are helpful as an insight into our lives and an insight into the lives of some of your neighbors and friends.
