Ramadhan?

Author
Discussion

Mattt

Original Poster:

16,663 posts

225 months

Thursday 13th August 2009
quotequote all
Just got the revised office timings though, 1:30 finish!

What is the place actually like during the period?

I know all the usual don't eat and drink in public, but is there much still going on? Malls etc open?

Jamz

408 posts

200 months

Friday 14th August 2009
quotequote all
Where abouts are you? Each place is different... Bahrain is business as usual for most places (appart from restraunts but most are not usually open during the day anyway)

Mattt

Original Poster:

16,663 posts

225 months

Friday 14th August 2009
quotequote all
AUH - UAE.

Dan Friel

3,823 posts

285 months

Friday 14th August 2009
quotequote all
You will be bored, very bored. Malls will be open, but all food / drink outlets will be shut of course.. You should be able to find food / drink in all of the international hotels.

jezzaaa

1,890 posts

266 months

Tuesday 18th August 2009
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Dan Friel said:
You will be bored, very bored. Malls will be open, but all food / drink outlets will be shut of course.. You should be able to find food / drink in all of the international hotels.
Will Carrefour and the like be open as usual??

Mattt

Original Poster:

16,663 posts

225 months

Tuesday 18th August 2009
quotequote all
I guess I'll be down the Golf Course most days then!

Asterix

24,438 posts

235 months

Tuesday 18th August 2009
quotequote all
I thin k this year I'll adopt the early start, early leave timings.

I'm now working in SHJ so things are a bit tighter.

Never fully understood the whole thing really. Sorry, I do understand the reasoning behind Ramadan but I'm confused by the actions. Going all day without a meal. Something that happens often with me because I'm stacked with meetings or just too busy - Oddly enough, I don't fall over, I get a bit hungry. Also, I often wonder that during the Iftar, when faces are being stuffed at extrgavant feasts, how much thought is going to the world's suffering and starving people.

VAG1

784 posts

196 months

Tuesday 18th August 2009
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Asterix said:
I thin k this year I'll adopt the early start, early leave timings.

I'm now working in SHJ so things are a bit tighter.

Never fully understood the whole thing really. Sorry, I do understand the reasoning behind Ramadan but I'm confused by the actions. Going all day without a meal. Something that happens often with me because I'm stacked with meetings or just too busy - Oddly enough, I don't fall over, I get a bit hungry. Also, I often wonder that during the Iftar, when faces are being stuffed at extrgavant feasts, how much thought is going to the world's suffering and starving people.
http://www.ezsoftech.com/ramadan/ramadan13.asp

You're not meant to stuff yourself at Iftaar, but it happens

Dan Friel

3,823 posts

285 months

Tuesday 18th August 2009
quotequote all
jezzaaa said:
Dan Friel said:
You will be bored, very bored. Malls will be open, but all food / drink outlets will be shut of course.. You should be able to find food / drink in all of the international hotels.
Will Carrefour and the like be open as usual??
I don't think the store opening times change.. but then it could always be different this year!

driverrob

4,752 posts

210 months

Tuesday 18th August 2009
quotequote all
Asterix said:
... how much thought is going to the world's suffering and starving people.
I've not been to Bahrain but in most muslim coutries during Ramadan you'll see big tents erected next to Mosques and other places where the poor and needy are looked after and fed. Charity begins at home.

oilydan

2,030 posts

278 months

Wednesday 19th August 2009
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I think the point Asterix is making is that fasting is supposed to help you empathise with the poor and hungry.

The act of grossly over-consuming during the night, I guess, is completely the opposite concept.

Wasn't there an article last year in the press that reported all the supermarket earnings increasing dramatically during the month of fasting?

IMHO it would be a much better deal if 24 hour consumption was permitted - but only of simple foods such as rice, beans and water. At least then nobody would have the 'fasting' excuse for not bloody working or driving like an utter arse.

At least then I wouldn't feel guilty when I pull my offce blinds down and stuff my face with a BLT at lunchtime lick

Asterix

24,438 posts

235 months

Saturday 22nd August 2009
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Cheers Dan - that was my point completely.


Jamz

408 posts

200 months

Tuesday 25th August 2009
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driverrob said:
Asterix said:
... how much thought is going to the world's suffering and starving people.
I've not been to Bahrain but in most muslim coutries during Ramadan you'll see big tents erected next to Mosques and other places where the poor and needy are looked after and fed. Charity begins at home.
Aye Bahrain is exactly the same, but in Saudi they just set up these huge tents in the middle of nowhere.

Mattt

Original Poster:

16,663 posts

225 months

Tuesday 25th August 2009
quotequote all
driverrob said:
Asterix said:
... how much thought is going to the world's suffering and starving people.
I've not been to Bahrain but in most muslim coutries during Ramadan you'll see big tents erected next to Mosques and other places where the poor and needy are looked after and fed. Charity begins at home.
If people genuinely cared, they would look after the poor and needy 12 months a year, not just 1.

The poor are present, in the UAE at least, as a concious decision and little is realistically done to improve their situation by the people who brought them here.

IMO of course.


tamago

532 posts

269 months

Friday 28th August 2009
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A bit off-topic (apologies!) but a couple of us in my firm have started donating on a regular basis to this organisation:

http://www.helpinghandsuae.com/index.htm

It's so easy to turn a blind eye and to enjoy the expat lifestyle but Roger and Elle appreciate everything which comes their way, especially in these testing times.