Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic year. Traditionally it is a time of fasting, prayer and reflection. Ramadan is truly peculiar to Dubai, because it is a truly hectic city: in recent years, ancient religious traditions have begun to mix with the values of the modern world. If you visit Dubai during Ramadan, you will need to understand and learn to respect this cultural heritage. If in doubt, follow the directions of the locals.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Understanding Ramadan
Step 1. Respect Ramadan
Regardless of what your religious beliefs are, you need to understand why this tradition is so important to Muslim faithful. If you are in Dubai, try paying homage to this culture. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and is a sacred time for Muslims around the world. It is in fact the Fourth Pillar of the Muslim faith: most Muslims believe that the Koran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed for the first time during Ramadan. Therefore, this sacred month marks the beginning of God's revelations.
Step 2. Find out when the month of Ramadan begins
Ramadan is always the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, but it varies from year to year according to the Gregorian (Western) calendar. This is because the Islamic calendar is lunar (that is, it is based on the cycles of the moon), while the western calendar is solar. Find out when it is the first day of Ramadan by doing a simple search on the internet: for example "Ramadan 2016".
- Keep in mind that, according to the Muslim calendar, a party begins at sunset the previous day. Therefore, if the beginning of Ramadan falls on June 6, the faithful practitioners will begin to observe the holy month after sunset on June 5.
- As each year passes, Ramadan begins 10-11 days earlier on the Western calendar. For example, in 2013 it started on July 9th; in 2014 on 29 June; in 2015 on June 18.
Step 3. Study how observant members behave
Ramadan is a holy month, and practicing Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk every day. Many believers take advantage of this period to eliminate bad habits. Some try to deepen their beliefs by praying more and reading the Koran. The general attitude is one of abstinence, penance and purification.
As a tourist, you must not fast or show any religious fervor. It is enough to respect and appreciate the culture. Above all, be considerate of Muslims during this time, and do not tempt anyone who is practicing any form of abstinence
Step 4. Find out about other important dates on the Islamic calendar
Islam is Dubai's main religion, although other cults are permitted. Islamic religious holidays are very important in the UAE, so it is best to know what they are. Significant dates in the Islamic calendar are: the Prophet's ascension (Al Isr'a Wal Mairaj), the Prophet's birthday (Mawlid Al-Nabi), the beginning of Ramadan and the two "Eid" (holiday) holidays: Eid Al -Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.
Method 2 of 3: Be Respectful
Step 1. Dress modestly
Both men and women must wear sober clothes, suitable for the Ramadan period. Leave as little skin uncovered as possible, using common sense. Cover your shoulders and knees, wear light makeup, and don't wear plunging necklines. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
- If you are a woman, consider covering your head with a scarf or headscarf. The aim is to minimize any possible temptation.
- Dressing modestly is even more important if you enter a mosque or other holy place. This also applies outside the Ramadan period.
Step 2. Be respectful of practicing Muslims
People don't eat or drink from sunrise to sunset every day, and they try to resist all temptations. If someone is trying to refrain from doing something, avoid doing that thing in front of him. At best, you will offend the locals; at worst, you may find yourself in trouble with the police. Be modest and respectful, and do your best to maintain peace of mind.
- Don't listen to loud music; in general, do not make a lot of noise in public places. Don't swear in public. Ramadan is a period dedicated to prayer and spiritual reflection: loud noises and vulgarity can disturb this peace.
- Fasting can cause disturbances in eating habits and the sleep cycle, so some locals may be more "angry" or more irritable than usual. Try to understand that this is part of the experience. Be patient with anyone you meet.
Step 3. Be charitable
Charity is one of the key parts of Ramadan's norms of life, and donating money to a good cause can be a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday. If you want to help a charity, choose from the various voluntary associations and possible donations in Dubai. A very simple action is to give extra tips to the service staff.
Step 4. Find out how shop opening hours change during Ramadan
During this month, working hours are reduced by two hours. To cope with hunger, people tend to stay up late at night and take a nap in the afternoon. All restaurants and cafes are closed from sunrise to sunset. Bars, nightclubs and live music venues are usually closed during this period, so you'll need to find some other way to spend your free time.
- Be careful on the street. The streets will be very busy, especially at sunset when the fast is broken and people go out for dinner. Drivers are generally very tired and the rate of traffic accidents in the UAE grows exponentially during Ramadan.
- Don't worry about finding food. Restaurants in hotels, airports and other tourist-specific spaces are usually open during the day, and food and drinks are sold regularly in these areas.
Step 5. Do not eat or smoke in public places
During Ramadan, smoking is prohibited in most public places, and you may still attract attention by smoking in private spaces. Above all, do not smoke near practicing Muslims, some of whom may try to abstain from this habit during the holy month. Eating and drinking in front of a Muslim who is fasting is not illegal, but it is considered a disrespect.
Method 3 of 3: Experience the Culture
Step 1. Consider the unique way Dubai celebrates Ramadan
This city is one of the most chaotic metropolitan areas in the world, and its inhabitants are rapidly adopting Western habits and customs. However, during Ramadan Dubai becomes a colorful mix of religious traditions and modern culture. Bars and discos close, public concerts are forbidden and the city comes to life inside the traditional tents set up for the Iftar (majli and jaima), which pop up everywhere along the streets.
Step 2. Try the meals at Iftar
Every evening, the people of Dubai gather to celebrate Iftar in traditional Arab tents. These majili and jaima tents have fine Persian rugs, colorful pillows and a rich selection of food and drinks. When the fast is broken at sunset, people gather to socialize, share food, smoke a hookah and play. These celebrations can take place in private, at home, or in public places, for example in a restaurant. In the UAE, large tents spread out on the streets or near mosques offer free meals to those in need.
- If you don't know anyone locally, take friends or family to an Iftar tent set up by a hotel. Drink mint tea, coffee and enjoy Arabian cuisine while playing, relaxing and learning about the culture. This is a great way to experience Ramadan.
- If you are invited to a dinner to celebrate Iftar, don't miss the opportunity! It is considered rude to show up empty-handed, so bring a box of dates or another simple Arabic dessert as a wish of good luck for your host.
Step 3. Make Ramadan wishes
Get into the party spirit. Greet Muslims with the phrase "Ramadan Kareem", which means "Greetings for a rich Ramadan". At the end of Ramadan, during the three-day Eid celebration, he greets the people by saying "Eid Mubarak" (eye-eed moo-bah-rock). Think of these phrases as something like our "Happy Holidays". Everyone uses this way of greeting each other during Ramadan, so if you don't use them, you will really feel left out!
Step 4. Go shopping
Practicing Muslims avoid spending a lot during fasting days, but flock to shops and malls after dark. In fact, the nights of shopping during Ramadan are comparable to our days a few days before Christmas; shopping centers are often open and very busy until after midnight. Retailers usually attract customers with "post-fast" offers and promotions. These promotions can also go beyond shops and restaurants and extend to airline tickets, hotel rooms and short-term apartment rentals, which can make your stay easier and cheaper.
Consider buying a house or signing a lease during Ramadan. This is a very special month for the locals, and the burgeoning economy drives house prices skyrocketing, which is one of the biggest problems in Dubai today. Anyone who buys or rents a house during Ramadan can pay the rent in effect during this month for the rest of the year, without worrying about rising rates
Step 5. Let yourself be carried away in the three days of celebrations for the "Eid" after Ramadan
Ramadan is generally a sacred and sober period: it is essentially a month-long spiritual fast, so breaking the fast is an occasion for celebration. The three days following Ramadan are by far the funniest: parties and celebrations are the order of the day in Dubai, and the city comes to life with truly crazy celebrations. As during the holy month, it is best to "go with the flow" and rely on the advice of the locals. Once everyone has started celebrating, you can let yourself go and have fun.
