Ramadan

August 22 marked the beginning of the Ramadan in the Muslim World. I arrived from holidays yesterday which means I will spend the whole Ramadan here...what a great timing eh?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar in which Muslims have to observe compulsory fasting from dawn to sunset. The Islamic lunar calendar, being 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, migrates throughout the seasons.

The daily period of fasting starts at the breaking of dawn and ends at the setting of the sun. In between, that is, during the daylight hours, Muslims totally abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sex. After sunset there is the sunset prayer, followed by big meals.

Business hours are also different, typically during Ramadan they go from 9.00 to 16.00 without break for lunch. No eating or drinking is allowed for us too, at least not in public as that might offend the Muslims in our office. Well, we do it anyway but behind closed doors. All restaurants are closed too.
The good thing is that we are home much earlier, grab something to eat and dive into the pool:)