Ramadan Begins

The Holy Month of Ramadan started today. Last night I got a text message from Qatargas letting me know...the person who had this phone before must have worked for them. Interesting. We also got an official memo from HR on Monday at work explaining the revised working hours for those who are fasting and the dos and don'ts.

I think most people know the don'ts - no eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum between sunrise and sunset. No tight or revealing clothing (for men and women) including nothing low-cut, sleeveless or above the knees. No loud music (including in your house & car) and no singing or dancing in public. Lastly, no swearing in public.

But we did uncover some dos that I think are helpful...Make the most of the community spirit and food at the Iftar events in the city. Try and eat at home since restaurants are very busy and make plans that don't involve driving around sunset. Everyone on the road is very hungry and very intent on getting to where they need to be to break the fast!

In the office today, there were still a lot of people drinking their morning tea and coffee quickly and furtively behind their closed (glass) office doors. Apparently you can go to the cafeteria and eat lunch since the door is solid and the windows are covered and those who are fasting don't go in. By 12:30 though everyone who is fasting leaves so you still have to be discreet (in case someone is still there) but you can eat and have some water).

We left the hotel though when the fast was breaking and there were a few hungry people in the elevator with us - clearly very ready to begin eating. There were staff in the lobby offering us dates and milk to break the fast.

We signed up for a free event at the Qatar Islamic Centre where they offer a free feast for expats to teach them about Ramadan. They put on a traditional Iftar feast and you can try new food and ask questions. It is on August 21 so we have a few more days to discover Ramadan on our own. All the stores close in the mid-day and then tonight they opened back up 8pm and apparently will stay open until midnight or later (some of them 1 or 2am!)

I am looking forward to some late night shopping tomorrow night! (my Friday night is tomorrow)

On an unrelated note - I got my residence permit today! (which means I got my passport back too) and then I also got my Qatar ID card. This card and permit unlocks a lot of things...ability to buy, register and insure a car and open a bank account.

But the best part - they can process C's residence permit now!