EW Ramadan Do's and Don'ts

Posted on

8 July 2012

| Last updated on 14 May 2017

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is one of the most important months for Muslims, so here's your handy guide to what you should - and shouldn't be - doing during the Holy Month.

Here are some quick pointers for thsoe who previously have not been in the city during the Ramadan period:

DO Dress Appropriately

Both men and women should dress conservatively, and not display too much skin when in public. Cover shoulders & upper arms, hemlines should reach the knee and pay attention to necklines.

DO Stop Smoking

As with eating and drinking, smoking is not allowed in public during the Holy Month of Ramadan. It’s the perfect time to quit; go on…. you know you want to!

DO Exchange Ramadan Greetings

It is customary to use the greeting “Ramadan Kareem” when meeting Muslims, and at the end of Ramadan, for the three day Eid celebrations, “Eid Mubarak”.

DO Be Charitable

An important element of the Holy Month is to be generous to those less fortunate by donating food, clothes or money to individuals and charitable organisations. If you would like to acknowledge your Muslim maid or gardener, a token gift will be appropriate and much appreciated.

DO Be Considerate

Fasting can play havoc with a person’s eating and sleeping habits, so be sympathetic to people around you.

DO Avoid Driving at Sundown

As the day draws to a close, the roads fill with people heading to break their fast at Iftar celebrations. They haven’t eaten, or had a drink for twelve hours. If you don’t need to be on the road at that time, you would be wise to wait half an hour.

DO Enjoy the Local Culture

It’s so easy to live our lives in parallel lines. Ramadan is the time of the year you can blur the edges. Take your family along to one of the many hotel-based Iftar tents, soak up some local life, and don’t forget the backgammon set!

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DO Accept Invitations

If you have been invited to an Iftar meal with friends or colleagues, do go along. Remember not to go empty-handed. Arabic desserts are always a good option to offer your host.

DO NOT Eat in Public

Show respect for those who are fasting during the day by not eating and drinking in front of them. Most malls, and all hotels, will have one or two eateries open but discreetly tucked away behind screens / closed doors.

DO NOT Kiss or Hug Your Partner in Public

Given the furor over a few headline cases over the last year this will not come as news to anyone. In reality, not all is how it is reported in the papers but during Ramadan, avoid demonstrative acts of affection, as you will offend.