Ramadan Do's & Dont's by rachelleiris
If you plan to have a grand shopping tour in Dubai, try not to schedule your trip anywhere near Ramadan. But the tricky part here is that you wouldn?t know the exact date of Ramadan UNTIL the eve of Ramadan. It all depends on the moon sighting. Each year, it occurs around 11 days earlier than the previous year. However, if you catch yourself in Dubai (or any Muslim country, for that matter) -- smack dab in the middle of Ramadan, here are a few reminders:* Never EVER eat or smoke in front of any Muslim -- not even a chewing gum nor a candy nor a single puff of cigarette. Or else, you?d get dagger looks. Worse, be caught by the police (Am serious, am not exaggerating here). In case you forget, you still have the option to swallow the gum when the Muslims give you that "look". To respect their practice of fasting from sun up to sun down, it is but fair not to remind them, let alone, tease them about food.
* Thus, restaurants are all closed until Iftar (which means breaking the fast at sun down). Hotel restaurants are open but enclosed with nicely improvised drapes. Malls are open but most local shops inside the malls are closed too.
* At Iftar, you can buy Arab delicacies such as baklava balls on the streets for only 1 DH.
* Road rage is very common at around 3 to 6 pm as almost everybody is rushing home from work ? practically tummy-empty. So it is understandable to be cranky and dizzy by this time of the day.
* Most cab drivers are also observing Ramadan so it?s difficult to hail a cab especially at around 6 pm when all they can think about is go home to get some FOOD FOOD.
* Bars & clubs are usually closed too. So it's practically a dry season (alcoholly-speaking). One main reason why tourists do not abound during this "dry season" (literally & figuratively).
* Ramadan ends with Eid (similar to Christmas for Christians & Diwali for Hindus).
As a non-Muslim, it is remarkable to witness the Muslims' dedication to their religious practices. I think Respect is the key word here.
