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Published: September 11th 2008
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Sideways
This truck dumped a tank full of diesel across the other two lanes... The Holy month of Ramadan started last week, from
ramadanplanner.com:
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every day during this month, Muslims around the world spend the daylight hours in a complete fast.
During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.
Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
The good that is acquired through the fast can be destroyed by five things:
* the telling of a lie
* slander
* denouncing someone behind his back
* Ding!
...which resulted in this altercation 50 yards up the road a false oath
* greed or covetousness
These are considered offensive at all times, but are most offensive during the Fast of Ramadan.
During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained:
* The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip.
* The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things.
* The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it.
* The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words.
* The feet must refrain from going to sinful places.
* In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.
So it's OK the rest of the year then?
So, how does that effect me? Well, as a non Muslim I am not expected to fast, however if were to eat, drink, chew, smoke or attend to any other "physical needs" in public or in front of a Muslim it would considered offensive and I would be in trouble - it is actually illegal, the police would give me a lecture and fine me. Since I don't smoke or attend to physical needs
in public it's only the eating and drinking that should effect me. I can still do this in the privacy of my home or office, although restaurants, bars, coffee shops and fast food outlets remain closed until 7pm. Most hotels will have a screened off area in a restaurant for non-Muslims.
Also, our official office hours during Ramadan are 8am-2pm, so I get home 2.5 hours earlier, well I would do if it wasn't for the increase in traffic accidents during Ramadan. The other morning on the 4 km stretch of the Coast Road between 33rd Street and the Musaffah Bridge there were 13 separate crashes, most were 3 to 10 car shunts but there were a couple of nasty ones with mangled vehicles that required the rescue trucks and ambulances. Police chiefs have been urging hungry motorists to take extra care.
Even in the past few years I've noticed a commercialisation of Ramadan. Every advert on the radio is encouraging you to do something this Ramadan, be it buy a new phone or feast on "sumptuous delicacies" at a hotel Iftar buffet. (Iftar is the meal that breaks the fast at sunset) Pizza Hut, KFC and other
Pizza Hut
Ideal family Iftar similar outlets are advertising that their food is ideal family Iftar. Even MBC, the Arabian version of Sky TV has put their programme schedules forward three hours so you don't miss your favourite shows or movies. The police carry and hand out Iftar boxes to distribute to motorists stuck in Ramadan induced traffic jams.
It's also the best time of year to buy a new car or large consumer durable. Barclaycard are offering double reward points during Ramadan, and Chevrolet's Golden Ramadan Ticket is even shinier than last year according to the radio advert.
The parking, which is always a bit of a pain goes nuts during the blessed month. As sunset approaches it is a bit like the dawn chorus but with car horns as faithful motorists argue over spaces. Cars end up abandoned, double and treble parked, which means the Police tow truck is kept busy all night and into the next morning. I've been late for work twice this week as taxi drivers, full of the joy of Ramadan blocked me and 15 of my fellow residents in. When he did turn up - the police called him - he got all snotty with me
Wheel off
This isn't something you see every day for phoning the comment line (number on the back of every taxi) and lodging a complaint.
Apparently grassing people up is not in the spirit of Ramadan.
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helene
non-member comment
shame
how it saddens me too see such a religious experience being exploited and commercialised, confirms why i dislike religion and our world markets, in fact most things but food beer and wine and or course the more obvious one!!!!