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Discuss this article (3 Comments)The Ramadan experience
by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it on Thursday, 28 August 2008
How would you describe Ramadan to a non-Muslim?
Ramadan is a time for fasting, of course, but it’s a time for separating the physical from the spiritual. Throughout the whole year we’re focusing on our body – we’re hungry, we’re tired, we want a hug. But during Ramadan it’s a time to separate this; to focus on the soul, which wants to worship God, so this is why we deny the physical body from sunrise to sunset. That includes no drinks, no food, no smoking, no intimacy with your husband or wife. Some Muslims who are relaxed during the year will be focused on what they are supposed to be doing, and there’s a sense of the whole community doing it together. There’s more support and more encouragement.
What is the aim of fasting?
There are many people who are starving in the world, so when you fast you feel what they feel all day long. There’s more compassion, you are more thankful when the food comes, and you learn that you can go without more than you think.
What do Muslims ultimately hope to learn from Ramadan?
To understand their faith more. There’s a lot of people who think they know what the rules are, what the Hadith [stories of Prophet Mohammad PBUH] are, what God said or didn’t say, so it’s a time for learning, and even correcting what you do.
Should non-Muslims try and understand the religious aspects of Ramadan, even though they don’t share the same faith?
I think people who are living in a Muslim country should try to understand it. Also, they must remember that not much is asked of them in this country; there is actually a lot being given to them instead. They may often complain during Ramadan, but they should just enjoy it, relax and take part in the occasion. The culture is here, but it’s easy to forget about because people see big buildings, offices and the Emiratis in their modern cars. They don’t see the cultural and religious sides, but this comes out more during Ramadan.
What can we expect from our Muslim co-workers who are fasting?
For the first couple of days they will be grouchy, like anyone who is hungry, so I would say be very gentle with your Muslim co-workers. After that they’re fine, there’s no hunger pains, but from then until the end of Ramadan, they get a little more tired and everything moves more slowly. Offices open later and close earlier, so it can be harder to get things done. They try to read through the Koran and they will have been up all night. As much as people think about the food aspect, it’s the lack of sleep that affects people. There’s little time to rest during Ramadan because there are extra night prayers, there’s waking up before the morning prayer for sahour [the small meal before sunrise].
The whole schedule is different. International and local appointments are a regular part of the government and rulers’ lives. How strictly do they adhere to Ramadan worship, as their daily routine is presumably a lot different to that of a taxi driver or construction worker?
The rulers are doing their job as they usually would, but then I would say a taxi driver and a labourer have a more physical job; they’re all fasting. This is the amusing part of the Muslim community; you have the poor people, the wealthy people, the leaders, and everyone’s fasting – everyone has to do the same, everyone has to give to charity no matter how poor, or how wealthy they are.
Is there a distinct lack of information for non-Muslims during Ramadan and do you think that leads to cultural friction?
The media has been taking more of an interest in the last few years and trying to give more information to the public. There’s an overall lack of induction programmes for foreigners here. I have friends from South Africa, America and England, and I love them, but sometimes I just look at them and they have no idea they’re in a Muslim country. They’d have a better time and a more enriching experience if they knew about the religion. I’m not talking about converting, just trying to understand it more.
What can Muslims learn about their religion?
This is what some of us have been talking about, especially the Muslim converts. When they go to a mosque, they’ve learnt how to pray recently, where someone else might have been praying since they were seven, and we can’t believe some of the things they’re doing while they’re praying. There are signs telling you to switch your mobile phone off, yet they still ring.
The ringtones upset people; something like 50 Cent blaring out in a mosque is terrible. That’s where people say that modernisation is bad. There needs to be more education. There needs to be more of an understanding that you can modernise Islam – it will fit with any time of the world. You must have heard many misconceptions about Ramadan from non-Muslims…They come from other Muslims too. People think it’s eat and party at night and nothing during the day. It’s not. There’s a lot of religious duties to do.
So if I were seen in the street, smoking, eating a burger and drinking a can of coke, what would the consequences be?
There are legal consequences from the police. There have been people who get in trouble, not for eating, but for kissing in public. I’m sure it was more than just a simple peck, and they get jail time and a fine.
But what if a Muslim needs medication?
Medicinal injections do not break the fast. [If] the person is sick and requires this treatment, then their fast is still accepted. However, any medicine which would reach the stomach is not allowed from sunrise to sunset. If the person will become more sick, and it could then lead to a very serious illness, then they should not fast and instead take their medicine, and God wants them to feed a poor person for each day they do not fast. It is written that whoever does not fast a day they should have fasted, even if they fasted the rest of their life to make up for it, the sin would still be there.
Are Muslims more tolerant of non-Muslims making mistakes at Ramadan nowadays?
The way that locals are anyway, even outside of Ramadan, they would just give you a certain look. But sometimes foreigners don’t take that to mean ‘stop it’. So this is the thing – you’re getting a look, but if you’re not catching on, it gets more drastic. And the police are required to intervene if someone has contacted them.
Why is it important for non-Muslims to be sensitive to things like eating pork or drinking alcohol during Ramadan?
Technically, there shouldn’t be pork, alcohol, or even churches in Dubai, but they’re given as gifts to the foreigners and non-Muslims. They are not required to fast, but they’re in a country where the nation is fasting, and they happily take part in Muslim holidays and get time off work. Muslims here are used to people complaining, but if non-Muslims showed an interest, it could potentially open up new opportunities. Partaking in Ramadan will do more good than fighting it.
With increasing numbers of non-Muslim expatriates coming to Dubai, is it becoming harder for Muslims to practise Ramadan and avoid temptation?
It’s more sad than challenging. As more people are coming, more restaurants are given special permits to open. Five years ago there was maybe just one. During Ramadan the majority of Muslims will participate completely. All the mosques are full – it’s just like Christmas and Easter is for Christians.
For more information, call the Sheikh Mohammed Centre on 04 353 6666.
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