Ramadan

Today is the start of Islam's holy month of Ramadan, where believers fast from sunrise to sunset for the month. During these hours they also abstain from drinking any liquid, smoking and sex. The fasting person is also expected to show self control through the day, to refrain from harsh words and to show tolerance and respect for others. As I understand it's an opportunity for several things,

• to understand how others less fortunate than yourself are experiencing life, through your own experience of going hungry and doing without, thus developing compassion.
• to develop better habits in your own life by exercising self control, therefore improving your character. This helps to resist temptation for things which are unnecessary or harmful in your life.
• to develop a closer relationship with God through the experience of purifying your body as well as your soul.

Here's a good link written for teachers with a general explanation of Ramadan, and here's another written by an Imam (Muslim cleric) for older students who might want to know about Ramadan, it's about mending habits and developing character. Here's a link to the BBC's webpage on Islam in general. It's all very interesting.

We've been warned about the changes in Doha during Ramadan. People will get up before sunrise to eat and drink before they fast for the day, and after sunset there are huge feasts where families get together and have fun far into the night. The cafes and restaurants are all closed during the day for the month, and the streets and shopping malls are mad in the evening. Businesses and schools support Muslim staff and students by allowing them them to work shortened hours and govenment departments are open from 8am - midday. People often sleep during the afternoon. Nobody is allowed to eat or drink in public. It is unwise to drive on the road towards sunset, as hungry and dehydrated people dash towards mosque and their homes to break their fasts.

We are planning to go to a few of the big Ramadan buffets during the month - all the big hotels put on special meals.

The Muslim kids at school really look forward to Ramadan. Some of them are trying their hands at fasting for all or part of Ramadan. Leo and Robbie are keen to fast for the odd day during the month - many non-Muslims support Ramadan by fasting themselves, even if they are not Muslim themselves. So in the words of one of the local bloggers,

May This Ramadan be as bright as ever. May this Ramadan bring joy, health and wealth to you.
May the festival of lights brighten up you and your near and dear ones lives.
May this Ramadan bring in u the most brightest and choicest happiness and love you have ever Wished for.
May this Ramadan bring you the utmost in peace and prosperity.
May lights triumph over darkness.
May peace transcend the earth.
May the spirit of light illuminate the world.
May the light that we celebrate at Ramadan show us the way and lead us together on the path of peace and social harmony
�Wish you a very happy Ramadan