Ramadan

Dave and I landed back in Bahrain from our fabulous African holiday on the first day of Ramadan. This is my first experience of living in a Muslim country during this celebration and I must say to fast during the heat of summer here is very impressive and shows strength. I'm cutting back on eating during the day out of respect but I'm afraid that going all day with water just isn't good. However any eating or drinking is done discretely and you definitely do not eat or drink in public. Firstly out of respect for their faith not to mention the 100BHD fine or year in jail.

Never realised how often I take a sip of water from a bottle until now, the walk back from the gym is a tough one! You just find yourself reaching for the water bottle out of habit.

It's very quiet round the streets as all cafes, restaurants etc are closed only opening to serve foods after the fasting ends for the day. Working hours are reduced too; Polytechnic official hours are 8am - 2pm [but of course you can stay longer if you wish to :-) - Yeah Right!].

Although we label it 'fasting' it's more than just going without food and water from dawn to dusk; people I have talked to are really open to explaining more about it to help us with our awareness of Islam’s holy month and to help understand what behaviours are expected and appropriate. Fasting is the fourth of five pillars of Islam, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and other designated activities while fasting (one of these is sex). It is believed that suspending these behaviours will help them to purify themselves of their sins.

Ramadan is a month in the Islamic lunar calendar, or Hijra, and is celebrated as the time when the Quran was revealed to the prophet Mohammed. This year, Ramadan started 22nd August and lasts through sunset Sept 19th. Hijra is a lunar calendar, which is shorter than the 365-day Gregorian calendar by 10 to 11 days, meaning the holy month occurs 10 to 11 days earlier every year. I think it must be easier during the winter months for them.

A day during Ramadan begins with the Muslim making a renewed dedication to that day’s fast, followed by a pre-dawn meal, and ends by breaking the fast following the call for prayer, the hours after sundown are filled with prayer and festivity.

The 27th night of Ramadan is regarded as especially holy. It is believed that on this night, any prayer or good that is accomplished is greater than the spiritual efforts of a thousand months. Most Muslims will spend the entire night in prayer. The speakers in Mosque minarets throughout Bahrain and all of Islam will be continuously loud with prayer on this “Night of the Power.” Should be interesting.

The last night of Ramadan, or Eid, marks the end of the period of fasting. Restaurants will reopen, and businesses in Bahrain will return to normal working hours.

It has taken few days for the old grey matter to realise that businesses are closed (especially when normal hours here are longer than home) and to shake off the old habits - I partially blame my vague moments on the cold/flu I managed to get on route back from Africa. Not the swine variety thankfully.

I made 2 errors yesterday one when I bumped into the new arrived Judy Atkins and Pete in the bank car park around 4pm - only to realise it was all shut up for the afternoon (normally open till 7.30pm and on weekends ....... sharpen up NZ banks and check that out!). Similar experience in the mall after work - only the supermarket was open all other shops were shut. So I bought food rather than clothes - all good. With this summer heat / humidity combo I'm feeling the need for new lighter weight work clothing to help me cope.....

We took Judy and Pete to one of my favourite cafes couple of nights back - interesting to note the opening hours on the door were 6pm - 2am! We were the only people inside and staff told us it was very quiet all night - I get the feeling that most people celebrate breaking their fast at homes with families. Cafes must struggle financially during the month.

A work colleague sent the following through as an explanation the benefits from Ramadan

1. It strengthens one's ties with Allah and trains the soul to observe duties of devotion in accordance with the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh).
2. It enforces patience and determination in the Muslim individual.
3. It promotes the principle of sincerity by keeping the Muslim away from arrogance and showing off, since it is an act between the individual and his Creator.
4. It promotes good character, particularly truthfulness and trust-worthiness.
5. It encourages the Muslim to do away with bad habits and change his/her circumstances for the better.
6. It enhances generosity, hospitality, and spending on charitable causes.
7. It reinforces feelings of unity and brotherhood among Muslims.
8. It instills orderliness and close observance of the value of time.
9. It serves as an opportunity for children to perform acts of obedience and to practice Islamic acts of worship.
10. It offers a chance to balance one's attention to both physical and spiritual needs.

Interesting stuff, learning all the time hey.

Oh and no alcohol is sold anywhere for the month of Ramadan - not that this impacts upon the Muslim community as they do not drink but the ex-pats did a little stocking of home cupboards before it started. You should see my neighbours cupboards!!!!

Africa

Back in Bahrain after fabulous safari around South Africa with Dave, we had a blast seriously stunning country and wonderful wildlife. Highlights would have to be patting and cuddling Cheetahs (ohhhhhhh they purr so loud and just very cuddly) and the cage dive with Great White Sharks.

Very cool indeed.

Back to work tomorrow - crap!