Ramadhan Is Coming !

If there is no food what kind of temptation is it? what kind of question is it?? ;) I go to work here in canada, my co-workers eat mcdonlds and what not on the table rite in front of us, but we never tell them dat its painful to see them eating while we are starving, simply because we respect thier freedom to do so, similarly non muslims ought to respect the fact that muslims have the right to enjoy the freedom of fasting until dusk.

People close the restraunts, not onlybecause its the law, but also think of the muslim chef who would be cooking your delicious meal and fasting simeltaneously..? its not fun at all.

It will vary; from about 4 am to 5:50 pm. As the month progresses sunset is earlier.

So, about when is official sunup and sunset?

Ramadan starts September 23rd.

Don't eat and drink in public from sun up until sunset. No chewing gum, no smoking, and no philandering.

What you do behind close doors is your business.

Hi Guys

Sorry i am going be new to Doha in a few weeks so can you tell me the dates for Ramadan?? What should i do and not do??

Sorry

Natalie

Yes Super I agree. It doesn't make much sense. If there is no food then what kind of temptation is it? Besides there is food available to buy in supermarket and at home, what's the purpose of closing restaurants down?

Genesis I also think that half the point of the fast is to resist temptation. To close restaurants and ban public eating make fasting that much easier and therefore not such a challenge spriritually.

Someone who completes a fast in the UK would have to have significantly more will power. Which is surely the point.

There are definitely no brunches in any of the hotels on Fridays during Ramadan.

I’m Qatari Muslim, and it puzzles me why are non-Muslims are banned to eat in public. I think one clerk decided that, and it went on.

I studied & lived abroad for a while, and I wasn’t bothered or tempted during Ramadan. I think our bodies are adopted to fasting.

I'm surprised the Ramada is serving guests only on Friday Breakfast (Brunch was too late for us). I assume that Gordon Mckenzie has been pressured into it. Yes I heard about the Doha Club closing.

What is the place coming to No Doha Club, no Falcon Club.

Yes, they only serve resident hotel guest. You are refering to the Friday Brunch at the Hyde Coffee Shop. Even at the sheraton, the Al Shaheen serves meals for the hotel guest who would usually breakfast or lunch at the Al Hubara.

By the way, (since you are familar with long time establishments in Qatar) are you aware that The Doha Club is being demolished and in its place we will have the Al Sharq resort, managed by the Ritz. Also, unfortunately the kitchen at the Doha Club was shut down twice about 3-4 months back. (Just a bit of trivia.)

Are you telling me the Ramada closes for Friday Breakfast during Ramadan?

Big or star hotels have to cater to resident guest, appart from them they do not allow walk-in-guest. Cafes close during the day and only operate after 1700 hours. Kindly define clubs!!?

What do you mean short day? - We work 0800 to 1400 and 2000 to 2200, that is 8 hours, and there are quite a few companies, even MNC that put in 8 working hours per day or more.

Just making a statement.

"Many clubs, restaurants and cafes are open, the only difference is the eating area is concealed." - Wow. I've been living here for 4+ years, this is definitely the first. Hotels have small sections of their restaurants open to residents, and concealed from the rest of the public, obviously.

We respect the culture, Easy. It's hard not to - if we don't, we're sent home packing, and rightfully so. Therefore for as long as we are here you can rest assured we're on our best behaviour.

Well expats to any country have to respect the culture of the society - at least the basics - they live in, especially in a place like Qatar where the expats main objective in money.

I know many non-muslim expats who certainly enjoy the atmosphere in Ramadan especially the food and nighlife - which are you unique to Ramadan.

Of course people can eat and drink, just without showing the rest of the world they're eating. Many clubs, restaurants and cafes are open, the only difference is the eating area is concealed.

There's the short day as well which many find a welcome change of pace. I've even met non-muslims who fast in Ramadan and tell me they do this for health reason.

Most of the expats I meet have no problems in Ramadan.

LOL. In Turkey a predominantly Muslim (but secular) state, very little changes in Ramadan.

Personally, being resident and sensitive to the issue, I don't flaaunt the freedom.

Tourists however don't want to modify their activities and the Turks (certainly in the coastal resorts) don't object.

Ramadan period is a pain for non muslims. We deal with it but we don't enjoy it much. Of course it's not there for us to enjoy, and I understand that, but knowing that doesn't help much. I will miss my bottle of water in the morning in the car on the way to work! I will miss my lunches with DG and Fish. I wonder why I should give it up, I am not Muslim and I am not fasting. The Ramadan fast is there to resist temptation, what kind of temptation is there if NOONE around is allowed any food or drink?

And working hours are a mess. Mine don't change but it's a pain trying to figure out what hours the other companies that we work with stick to!

It's not as difficult as it sounds, in fact many enjoy Ramadan. Most restaurants are closed day though many are open but sheild the people so passerbys can't see them.

In contrast there's a nightlife, shops, restaurants and marketplaces are open till 1pm and of course there're variety of food/cuisines that're only available in Ramadan.

Thank you.

You will find in QP that the tea boys are normally given leave during the fasting month. In the past, QP have left the tea boys room open so that you can make and drink your coffee in there.

One year they locked all thses rooms up for the duration of Ramadan but as non muslims were working a full day it was not viable to repeat that exercise.

Tip: Clip box files are ideal for transporting a mug of coffee

So even water is out?

Good grief...

If you have a cabin or office to yourself, you can feast as long as it is not in view of passerbys or muslim office staff.

Usually the office staff do not mind, however out of respect you will not eat or drink till 1700 or 1730pm (after they open their fast).

Our office boy is muslim, but he makes our coffee and keeps it in the pantry, we have told him not to bother but he still does it any way, bless him.

Sunset is usually around 1650 to 1730, it increases daily by about 2 - 3 min.

As someone coming in who does not wish to offend, how about things like coffee or water at your desk?

Breaking the fast at sunset.

I'm sorry, what's Iftar time?

I don't know about other hotels but the Ramada has always opened for breakfast in Ramadan. The Hyde Park coffee shop is always open but is screened off so that no one can see in.

Shops will close at usual noon time and reopen around 8 pm till midnight, some till 1 am.

All restaurants closed till Iftar time.

Roads are madness after Iftar, I always avoid going out.

There's a massive onslaught on the supermarkets. They're packed. Food, food, food.

There's a Gulf tradition that goes by different names in different countries; here it's called garangaoh (pronounced garan-ga-oh). Towards the end of the month kids will come to your home singing a traditional song and expecting treats, a lot like Halloween.

Working times change, my working hours are usually 0800 to 1400hrs and 2000 to 2200 hrs (Sponsor wants his 8 hours per day though the Govt. says otherwise ie 6hrs)

Most eateries / Restaurants close during the day from about 0300 till 1700 or 1730hrs. If you are a regular with a restaurant they can pack you a tiffin and give it through the back door. Do not eat in public during the day.

Expect loads of prank calls on the cell and home phone.

Unless living in a compound expect ghost door bell ringing.

Good to watch the cannon go off at dusk.

Shops open till late.

Food being sent over from muslim friends around 1700 to 1730 hrs.

A special type of pancake made only during Ramadan (I guess) grill food being sold at most eateries.

Time to catch up with paper work in the office.

I shall leave place for others to comment too.