Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is upon us, a time when it is believed that the gates to heaven are open, the gates to hell are closed, and mankind is closer than ever to God. Prayers and sacrifices, such as fasting have extra power during this time, and people strive for good thoughts and good deeds. 

Fasting is a central part of Ramadan, and this fasting is different from the fasting sometimes observed in other cultures. In addition abstaining from food between sunrise and sunset, water is also fasted. If you think this is hard to comprehend, I want you to imagine fasting from water for almost 12 straight hours. In the middle of the desert. In May. For an entire month. The suffering can be extreme. There are exceptions, of course. Sick and elderly, pregnant women, and travelers, for example are exempt from fasting for health reasons and may make up their fasting days when their health has returned.

I fasted for Ramadan years ago with a Lebanese friend of mine and in my own personal experience, the first week was extremely difficult, but it became more bearable after that. I remember thinking that without having to think about what to eat, where to eat, and then eating every few hours, I had much more time to focus thinking on other things, like God, or life, for example. I also felt more spiritually aware and a noticeable sense of inner calm. 

There are several changes in the kingdom during this month and daily life must be adjusted. For example:

Business Hours

Ramadan almost becomes a nocturnal month, when people are less active and visible during the day, and more active and social at night, when it is time to break fast and spend time at the mosque and with family. Therefore, business hours adjust accordingly. Most businesses will be open during the day but close around 4 pm to 7 pm since this is the time when most people are in their homes making preparations for large family meals. Business will then reopen at 8pm, after iftar is finished and remain open until 1 am. Other businesses just close entirely during the day hours and are open in the evening until the early hours of the morning. Imagine my surprise when attempting to schedule a doctor’s appointment and being offered an appointment time of 12:45 am!

Eating and Drinking in Public

I think that technically this is a law, though probably not enforced. It would still be considered extremely poor form for a non-Muslim to be strolling through the mall openly eating and drinking during fasting hours. Most restaurants are closed anywhere. I’m not sure if this is because serving food is prohibited, or they just close because there would be virtually no business. Same goes for smoking cigarettes or chewing gum. 

School

This is the change that affects us the most. Our school shifted into Ramadan hours to accommodate the change in daily schedules for the majority of our families. School now begins one-half hour later and ends one whole hour earlier. As a teacher, this is fantastic! Although there are some definite drawbacks. Tired, hungry, dehydrated teenagers are not the most highly energetic and engaged learners. This is hard because while I sympathize with their discomfort and lack of focus, we still have 3 weeks left of school and are finishing the year with a literary essay - a task which requires considerable focus and attention. 

Despite the minor inconveniences, I do find this month to be a beautiful and very special time and I do admire the devotion and sacrifice that so many of our students and their families make. Here’s wishing all a blessed Ramadan, a sense of inner peace and a renewed perspective and purpose for the year.

Ramadan Kareem!