Ramadan

So, Ramadan was declared by the government in Dubai on Monday. It is declared based on the sighting of the new moon and apparently each ruling body may declare it at different times. I assumed it was the same all over the world, but I talked to my Mom yesterday, who is now living in Salalah, Oman, and she told me that it hadn't been declared yet by the Sultan of Oman. Why do I keep using the word 'declared'? This is the vocabulary that you hear on the radio and in work emails. The other popular vocabulary term to use is 'lunar calendar' rather than sighting of the moon. If you want to know more, here is a link to Ramadan in Dubai.

What does this mean for me?

1. Shortened work hours (Contract hours are changed from 8:15-2:00). I am still getting up early to exercise, but then I have more time to be leisurely and I end up doing dishes, laundry or drinking coffee and watching the news. My friend Lisa has been watching "Desperate Housewives" and drinking coffee. This might be a good time to adopt a new series.
   
2. Just as my place of employment is closed for 'Ramadan timings,' which in American English means Ramadan schedule, many businesses have different hours, such as my bank that closes at 2 p.m. This may be an inconvenience if you are trying to get business done.
   
3. No eating, drinking (even water) or chewing gum during daylight hours in public.
4. Many restaurants are closed or offer a blocked off area to eat before sunset and are not allowed to serve alcohol until after sunset. Not allowed is a nice way to say forbidden. All of this information may be helpful to you when you are watching Jeopardy and the Rhyme Time Ramadan, Islamic Hodgepodge or Muslim Non Potent Potables categories appear.
   
5. The breaking of the fast is done at sunset and the meal is called Iftar. At Iftar time, it is difficult to find a taxi and drivers are known for being even more aggressive because they are evidently in a hurry to get home and eat. Many eateries offer an Iftar meal, including KFC and Pizza Hut, which offer the Family Iftar Meal. We have to imagine that the Bedouins in the desert were eating more traditional foods.
   
6. Besides both being religious holidays, the other similarity that Ramadan and Christmas share is that most brands and stores take advantage of this time for new marketing campaigns. My personal favorites are the Ramadan Dozen offered by Krispy Kreme and Savor the Flavor of Ramadan with Tang.
7. At the end of Ramadan, there is a vacation break called Eid.
   
8. If points 2-5 seem like a hassle to a non-Muslim living in a Muslim country, refer back to bullet point 1.

Ramadan Kareem! (something to the effect of 'Happy Ramadan!')