It's very interesting to visit an Arab country during Ramadan (this year Ramadan falls on August 1-30, but it moves back 12 days each year). Ramadan is the holy month here, and during daylight hours (5:30 am to 7 pm) nobody eats, drinks, smokes, chews gum, gossips, thinks bad thoughts . . . you get the idea. It is against the law to eat or drink in public during this time, but in a hotel room it is ok for non-muslims to do the activities listed above. The reasoning is to deprive themselves and feel what the poor must feel (hunger and thirst) on a daily basis. They make offerings to the poor and hand out food and water on street corners.
But, come 7 pm, Iftar begins - the breaking of the fast. Malls and stores and movie theaters and almost everything stays open until 2 or 3 am, and people flock to shop, visit, and eat. Many restaurants have all you can eat Iftar buffets. People dress in their finest and party! In private homes women work all day to cook and clean and create the perfect Iftar for their family and friends. The idea is to provide more hospitality than any of your friends.
The pictures above represent the decorations displayed during Ramadan. Outside you see blue and white lights. Inside you see candles and lots of live flowers and plants. It's really beautiful!
But, come 7 pm, Iftar begins - the breaking of the fast. Malls and stores and movie theaters and almost everything stays open until 2 or 3 am, and people flock to shop, visit, and eat. Many restaurants have all you can eat Iftar buffets. People dress in their finest and party! In private homes women work all day to cook and clean and create the perfect Iftar for their family and friends. The idea is to provide more hospitality than any of your friends.
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