The sighting of the new moon on the ninth month of the year is a very important event for Muslims all over the world. That day, which may well rest on August 22 (Saturday) this year, marks the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim's holy month. For us expats (who are non-Muslims) in the Kingdom, this is the month of becoming one with the Islamic world. This is after all Saudi Arabia, the seat of Islam where the two holy cities of Mecca and Madinah are found, so "co-observing" the Ramadan is a must. For OFWs who will experience Ramadan for the first time, here's a list of things you must remember this month:
1. Eat discreetly.
Fasting is the most known, widely-practiced activity during this month. Fasting stirs people away from impurities of worldly activities (ex. vices) and invokes purity of the heart. It also teaches self-control, self-discipline and empathy to others' sufferings. Muslims are not allowed to eat and drink after the fajr (dawn) prayer until the sunset prayer. Though we (non-Muslims) are not required to fast, we must be considerate of those who will. Do not eat and drink out in the open where those who are fasting can see you. Arm yourself with baon because eating establishments will only open after 6:00pm.
2. Tardiness is the new punctuality.
Your office mates are not late, they're just in time... for a new Ramadan schedule. Some offices will tweak their office hours for Ramadan. Most will start their office hours late (ex. 9:00am from the usual 7:00am) and end early (3:00pm from the usual 5:00pm) but this new schedule is not for everyone. Don't fret if your schedule is unchanged and don't use the excuse "Eh bakit sila, late namang pumapasok?!" if you feel the need to be tardy. This is not the time to lament on this world’s unfairness. After all, you eat your breakfast, you're here to work, and you understand the side effects of fasting in one's strength and productivity so just look at the brighter side of things: the PT girls personally enjoy the almost empty roads going to work in the morning.
3. The road is a danger zone at night.
After work, stay inside your flats/villas, have your dinner, and watch Wowowee (or whatever it is in the tube) because chances are, it's traffic. If you go out, you'll just get a migraine from all the road rage - horns blaring, tires screeching, drivers trying to set a new world speed record, and everyone else hurrying... it's a crazy world out there. Be safe inside your houses. But if you really have to go out, be careful.
4. Stores open late, close "early".
Most of them are. Because they open late, they also close early... as in early morning na! Malls open after the maghrib prayer (8:00pm) and closes around 2am. So do your grocery and shopping during this time frame (although you'll have to contend with traffic and huge crowds). If you need to buy something really really important, wag nang ipagpabukas pa because you will not find your suking tindahan open in the morning. It's kind of weird to do our mall shopping at 1 in the morning but it doesn't bother us that much. (Gusto nga naming 24 hours bukas ang mall eh, hehehe!).
5. Generosity reigns.
There's an abundance of food in the streets so don't be surprised if someone knocks on your car's window and give you a box containing bread, dates, and drink. It's the pantawid-gutom of those who are fasting. For other stuff, it's also a must to go to Haraj, the largest ukay ukay er, junk souk in this part of the world, during this month. You can find great steals (ex. designer bags at super low prices) because they tend to change almost all their furniture and clothes this month. (Okay, we haven't done a proper post on Haraj but we will soon!) Don’t forget to greet Ramadan Kareem! (“Ramadan is generous!”)
6. The Eid Al-Fitr
Ramadan will end on the sighting of the new moon on the following month. This will probably be on September 18 or 19. The holiday called Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) marks this. Muslims will put on their best, go and feast with their families and friends, give food to the poor, and pray together. This is a beginning for them, like a new year. For non-Muslims, we can enjoy a week of vacation from work (er, depends on your company so you really have to be good employees ;P).
That's it for this guide. If we got some details wrong or you want to add other tips and information, leave 'em on our comment box o'rayt? Time to hit the grocery stores today because it will be jam packed tomorrow and the rest of the Ramadan season for sure. Ta-ta!
Ramadan Kareem!
For more info on Ramadan, visit this site.
1. Eat discreetly.
Fasting is the most known, widely-practiced activity during this month. Fasting stirs people away from impurities of worldly activities (ex. vices) and invokes purity of the heart. It also teaches self-control, self-discipline and empathy to others' sufferings. Muslims are not allowed to eat and drink after the fajr (dawn) prayer until the sunset prayer. Though we (non-Muslims) are not required to fast, we must be considerate of those who will. Do not eat and drink out in the open where those who are fasting can see you. Arm yourself with baon because eating establishments will only open after 6:00pm.
2. Tardiness is the new punctuality.
Your office mates are not late, they're just in time... for a new Ramadan schedule. Some offices will tweak their office hours for Ramadan. Most will start their office hours late (ex. 9:00am from the usual 7:00am) and end early (3:00pm from the usual 5:00pm) but this new schedule is not for everyone. Don't fret if your schedule is unchanged and don't use the excuse "Eh bakit sila, late namang pumapasok?!" if you feel the need to be tardy. This is not the time to lament on this world’s unfairness. After all, you eat your breakfast, you're here to work, and you understand the side effects of fasting in one's strength and productivity so just look at the brighter side of things: the PT girls personally enjoy the almost empty roads going to work in the morning.
3. The road is a danger zone at night.
After work, stay inside your flats/villas, have your dinner, and watch Wowowee (or whatever it is in the tube) because chances are, it's traffic. If you go out, you'll just get a migraine from all the road rage - horns blaring, tires screeching, drivers trying to set a new world speed record, and everyone else hurrying... it's a crazy world out there. Be safe inside your houses. But if you really have to go out, be careful.
4. Stores open late, close "early".
Most of them are. Because they open late, they also close early... as in early morning na! Malls open after the maghrib prayer (8:00pm) and closes around 2am. So do your grocery and shopping during this time frame (although you'll have to contend with traffic and huge crowds). If you need to buy something really really important, wag nang ipagpabukas pa because you will not find your suking tindahan open in the morning. It's kind of weird to do our mall shopping at 1 in the morning but it doesn't bother us that much. (Gusto nga naming 24 hours bukas ang mall eh, hehehe!).
5. Generosity reigns.
There's an abundance of food in the streets so don't be surprised if someone knocks on your car's window and give you a box containing bread, dates, and drink. It's the pantawid-gutom of those who are fasting. For other stuff, it's also a must to go to Haraj, the largest ukay ukay er, junk souk in this part of the world, during this month. You can find great steals (ex. designer bags at super low prices) because they tend to change almost all their furniture and clothes this month. (Okay, we haven't done a proper post on Haraj but we will soon!) Don’t forget to greet Ramadan Kareem! (“Ramadan is generous!”)
6. The Eid Al-Fitr
Ramadan will end on the sighting of the new moon on the following month. This will probably be on September 18 or 19. The holiday called Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) marks this. Muslims will put on their best, go and feast with their families and friends, give food to the poor, and pray together. This is a beginning for them, like a new year. For non-Muslims, we can enjoy a week of vacation from work (er, depends on your company so you really have to be good employees ;P).
That's it for this guide. If we got some details wrong or you want to add other tips and information, leave 'em on our comment box o'rayt? Time to hit the grocery stores today because it will be jam packed tomorrow and the rest of the Ramadan season for sure. Ta-ta!
Ramadan Kareem!
For more info on Ramadan, visit this site.
9 had something to say:
Ramadan Kareem!
sana marami ng downloaded movies ang hard drive nyo para hindi masyadong mafocus ang natitirang time sa pagkain at pagtulog sa loob ng flat! lolz!
ok na sana ang Ramadan.. kaso bawal magyosi sa labas! grrrrrr....
Ramadam Kareem!!
Ramadan for us is a very busy season.. the muslims especially the saudi people are very conscious about their looks kaya dagsa sila rito kapag ramadan.. ganun yata talaga sila..gusto nila attractive sila kapag ramadan. haaaay ayoko yung sked kapag ramadan early in, long break and late out haaayzz...
Thanks for the info. Its our first time to experience Ramadan, been here just last April w/ the whole family and I really like your site. Its very informative especially on shopping entries. Love it! Keep it up girls.
@AZEL: Nice tips! Yes, kailangang mag-imbak ng mga movies for the lull time. And as for vices, no no din yan. Aside from eating, thou shall not smoke in the open. Thank you.
@Niqabi: Hindi lang pala things ang bago sa kanila... they also need to be at their best when it comes to physical appearance. Good luck on your schedule this month.
@Anonymous: Thank you for reading our blog. Have a fun and fab life here in Saudi Arabia! Email us if we can help you with anything.
@Arvin U. dela Pena: Thank you for visiting our blog. Sorry but we have to delete your comment because the Pink Tarha blog is not the proper avenue to raise your concerns regarding subjects which are not tackled in our blog. Please air your concerns directly to person/s involved. Thank you.
Ramadan Kareem!
Yung item 2 ay regular na pangitain sa aming opisina during Ramadan, Kung hindi late na papasok, maaga namang umuuwi hahahaha.
We just received our new Ramadan timing sa trabaho, 6 am to 11 am Sunday to Thursday.
God bless.
great reminders... advising like a native. hands down! lol :) God bless all!
I always had a bleak idea of the Ramadan. I just know from my former Muslim roomate that she gets exhausted going to school because of it. ^^ Pero she binges pag tapos na. ^^
Ramadan Kareem ladies! Yes, Number 6 ang pinakaaabangan ko. haha. And I think the road is not just dangerous at night, much much dangerous kung mga 5:30pm to 6 na, pagkain na ang laman ng isip ng mga katutubong driver niyan. hehehe
your blog is very useful and has great information about Muslims expat.
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