What to Expect When Traveling to The Middle East During Ramadan
First, what is Ramadan?
Ramadan is a very important month for Muslims. From dawn to sunset, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking — not even water! It is one of the five pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims (though not children). This a month for Muslims to focus on religious activities, such as late-night prayers, acts of charity, communal gatherings, and helping others.
Ramadan’s purpose is for those that fast to feel more empathetic towards those who are hungry all the time. It certainly helps to make you feel more grateful for what you have, and not take things for granted! Fasting also brings great benefits for your health. Celebrities like Terry Crews, Hugh Jackman, Jimmy Kimmel and many more practice intermittent fasting. Benefits of fasting include:
- Weight loss — lower insulin levels aid in the production of human growth hormone, which helps with weight loss
- Reducing insulin resistance — lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes
- Promoting cellular repair processes
Now that you know what Ramadan is about, here’s what should you expect when travelling to a country where the majority of people are fasting:
Shorter Working/School Hours
Both public and private sectors shorten their operating hours to help ease the fasting experience on employees and give them the opportunity to focus more on Ramadan. Most businesses will operate from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (this differs wherever you go).
Driving Around Sunset Time
Picture this: After a busy day at work, you’ve been fasting all day and are looking forward to breaking your fast with friends and family. The clock is ticking, and you have five minutes to get there before it’s time to chow down! While most people still drive cautiously, others listen more to their stomachs and hit the gas pedal like it’s Fast and Furious 17, so be cautious of other drivers while on the road as the sun goes down.
Don’t Eat, Drink, or Smoke in Public
If you’re travelling to a Muslim country during Ramadan, chances are eight out of ten people you’ll encounter will be fasting — so be considerate. Not only is it disrespectful to the majority of people around you, but you could be fined for it! In the United Arab Emirates, you can face a fine of 2,000 DHS (about $550) for violating their federal law. Other than the law, it’s simply not inclusive to the culture you’re in. Also, do you really want to be that girl/guy?
With that in mind, a lot of places can accommodate non-Muslims that are not fasting during Ramadan. For example, most workplaces have designated areas for people to eat, drink, and smoke. Some public spaces like malls have designated areas for smoking.
Restaurants are Closed During the Day
This is a self-explanatory one. If the majority of people are fasting, there’s no point of keeping the restaurant open (also the law says so). Most restaurants will either open just before sunset and close at sunrise or dawn. So if you’re thinking of having breakfast, plan on the early bird special!
Food is the Focus Here
When people have been fasting all day, you can bet that their food game is going to be strong! Ramadan focuses heavily on traditional foods. If you’re going to the Middle East to experience a taste of their culture (pun intended), then Ramadan is the right time for you.
Different Middle Eastern cultures have different food traditions, but the common way to break a fast is with a few dates and water, followed by lentil soup (or any other soup), then the main course.
Ramadan Festivities
One of the main highlights of Ramadan is that it brings people together, from communal prayers, to breaking the daily fast with friends and family, to other community events. After Iftar (Arabic for breaking fast), the streets are more alive than ever with plenty to see and do. Ramadan tents are popular places for people to meet up after they have broken their fast to gather and drink tea, eat some more, and smoke shisha. Ramadan Cannons, a very well-known tradition, are used to announce Iftar. Many people gather every day of Ramadan to observe the firing of the cannon with their family and friends.
What’s Next?
Eid-Al-Fitr, which translates to “The Festival of Breaking the Fast” is a public holiday in Middle-Eastern countries with a focus on family visits. This celebration marks the end of the Ramadan month. People dress up, bedeck their homes with decorations, plus kids get to score some sweet candy!
Ramadan is a month where Muslims abstain from food and water for a greater cause. While it may be seen as a struggle for others, people who fast get the hang of it quickly, and the experience becomes easier with time. Not fasting? Be mindful of the do’s and don’ts when travelling to the Middle East during Ramadan to be as respectful and inclusive as possible.
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