Eid 2008

Eid is the most anticipated holiday in the Islamic calendar, following the most sacred season of the year for Muslims. It translates into 'Festival that breaks the fast'. Before the end of Ramadan, Muslims are expected to pay Zkat al fitr, which is a charitable donation for the holy month. This is usually a nonation of food or money to buy food so the needy can have a holiday feast. This donataion is different from the annual zakat that is required of Muslims, calculated based on personal wealth, to contribute to a worthy cause. Picture: World Trade Centre Dubai

Ramadan violations

A Public Prosecution source explained that eating or drinking in public before sunset during Ramadan is classified as a crime, which offends religious faith and rituals."The punishment against such a crime is a maximum one month imprisonment or a maximum Dh2,000 fine... it depends on the judge's discretion," said the source.

The Dubai Court of Misdemeanours found 30-year-old Lebanese salesman, S.O., and 28-year-old Russian woman, O.D., guilty of violating the Federal Penal Code, thus marking the first verdict of its kind since Ramadan started on September 1 this year. The couple were caught publicly drinking juice in the waiting room ofan Eppco station before iftar.

Commercialism

It's not only Christmas.

Earthquake!

I was sitting at my desk a few minutes before 1500 reviewing a CV for a telephone interview which was scheduled for 1500 and I had a weird dizzy feeling come over me. I walked over to the window and looked out and then down – not sure what I was looking for. The chain from the window coverings started to move back and forth hitting the window and I was not quite sure what was happening. Did a helicopter hit the building – they are always buzzing around. Did the metro construction somehow affect the foundation of our building? I walked out of my office into the secretarial bay where my coworkers were sitting, looking at each other and not saying a word. I asked “Did you feel that?”. We had just experienced an earthquake.

Needless to say I was late for the interview. I got an e-mail from the agent saying that the candidate called him wondering why I hadn’t rang. Apparently this was the first time he heard the earthquake excuse.

Later I found out that there were clients in the boardroom who thought the feeling was faintness as they were fasting for Ramadan.

Here is a link to a news report: http://dubaiheadlines.wordpress.com/2008/09/10/dubai-earthquake/

Ramadan

With Ramadan comes Iftar buffets! Here is a list of a few, the first one is my favourite :-)

Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Sezzam: Real Arabic feast for Dh49. Includes four-course dinner and unlimited soft drinks. Kids get one free dish and so does the nanny.

Arabian Courtyard, Bur Dubai Al khaima: Lavish iftar buffet for Dh59, with live cooking, serene music and a traditional ambience. Experience Shisha and Ramadan beverages.

Dusit, Dubai 24th Floor: From sunset to 11pm every evening, experience iftar with a mix of Arabic, Asian and international cuisine for Dh129. From 9pm, spend the evening in traditional Arabic tents by the poolside on the hotel rooftop, with Arabic snacks, shisha and Oud entertainment.

Hilton, Dubai Jumeirah Wavebreaker: The beachside restaurant will be transformed into an Arabic souk with Ramadan tents. Live Oud entertainment and shisha available every evening from 10pm. A la carte Arabic menu from 7:30pm until 2am. Oceana: Iftar buffet at Dh85.

Jumeirah Beach Club Resort, Dubai Clubhouse: Iftar buffet at Dh130 until 8pm. Sunset Arena: An evening of relaxation on the beach with Ramadan drinks, an Arabic menu, pizzas and shisha.

Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai Al Muna and Arboretum: Iftar buffets for Dh150. Two shisha terraces will be open at Al Qasr, serving an Arabic mezze menu. Souk: Live Arabic entertainment and Majlis serving shisha and tea.

Oasis Beach Hotel, Dubai Ramadan Village: An Arabic set up in the garden, featuring mezze, shisha and table games. Camel rides are also offered. Bazaar: Iftar buffet for Dh70. Kids under 12 dine for half price.

Sheraton, Jumeirah: Beachside Ramadan tent with an Arabic menu, Ramadan beverages, sweets and traditional music.

Ramadan Is Here!

Ramadan is upon us, no eating, drinking, smoking or chewing of any kind in public (this means in your car, or even on your own property if other people can see you) from the hours between sunrise and sunset. Sunrise is determined by “the white thread can be distinguished from the black thread of dawn.”

Ramadan was estimated to start on September 24th so Barry and I were taken of guard when we attempted to go for breakfast on Saturday and the food outlets were closed. We dropped in to the Hyper Panda (not an endangered animal looped on sugar but a supermarket) and ordered some Manakesh from the bakery (warm, pizza looking, tasty Arabic fare). We then returned to our car, suspiciously parked in a far-away spot and sneakily and unlawfully ate our breakfast.

Negative: No morning coffee at the coffee bean and tea leaf. All cafés, restaurants and the like are closed unless they can somehow be screened off so that the people eating can not be seen by the public.
Positive: Iftar, is the evening meal after breaking fast held after the sunsets. Restaurants celebrate Iftar usually by serving a buffet amongst Layali tents, providing Oud entertainment, Arabic coffee, assorted Arabic desserts and seasonal Iftar beverages while you enjoy an assortment of shisha flavours.
Interesting: Since the festival is linked to the lunar calendar and the moon is not in the same state at the same time globally, it would depend on which lunar sighting that individual recognizes.

Various forms of media have advised to stay off the roads during Iftar as people rushing home for their first meal in 12 hours means the roads are chaotic/dangerous.
Ramadan will end around October 23 and at the end of the one month there is an Islamic holiday called Eid ul-Fitr (known as Eid) to mark the end of Ramadan and the fasting.

Special Ramadan Travel Packages: http://www.ameinfo.com/97242.html