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Overview
This year, the ninth
month of the Muslim
calendar, Ramadan
will start in the end of
June; subject to moon
sighting. The month of
Ramadan is the one in
which the Quran was
sent down.
Purpose
of Fast
The fast of Ramadan entails
forgoing food and drink, and
if married, abstaining from sex
during the fasting hours. For
Muslims, the period of Ramadan
is an effort to train themselves
both physically and spiritually by
avoiding any negative acts such
as gossiping, backbiting, lying or
arguing. The ultimate goal of fasting
is greater God-consciousness.
Who Fasts
All Muslims who have reached
puberty are obliged to fast.
Exempted from the fast is anyone
who is sick or travelling, women
who are pregnant, nursing, or on
their menses, and older people who
are too weak or ill to fast. Anyone
who is exempted must make up
the fast later, except for those who
cannot fast due to age or chronic
illness. Instead, they can feed a
poor person for every day of fasting
they miss.
Ramadan in Dubai
Iftar is the evening time when, just
after the sun sets, a cannon is fired to
announce the breaking of the fast for
the day.
Many hotels will have special Iftar tents where
customers can have a simple or more complex
meal - with a range of prices to match.
Iftar is not the time to have a large feast -
traditionally it was a few dates and some water.
Later in the evening is when it becomes more
festive with larger meals enjoyed amongst friends
and family.
Ramadan is seen as an opportunity to visit friends
and family members, especially those with whom
contact has faded.
Almost all restaurants and cafes will be closed
during the day but many will extend their
opening hours at night.
Supermarkets are normally open during the day
and have extended hours at night - sometimes till
midnight or even later.
Shopping centers are open during the day and an
extra hour or two at night.
During this month, Muslims fast from
pre-dawn until sunset, forgoing eating
and drinking during the sunlight hours.
The purpose of the fast is to grow in God-
consciousness and moral excellence. In
commemoration of the revelation of the
Quran, Muslims gather at their mosques
to hold special prayers in which the entire
Quran is recited by the end of the month.
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May/June 2015