The EW Guide to Ramadan in Oman | ExpatWoman.com
 

The EW Guide to Ramadan in Oman

Whether this will be your 1st Ramadan or you've experienced before, it's useful to read up on information about the Holy Month.

Posted on

6 May 2013

Last updated on 11 December 2017
The EW Guide to Ramadan in Oman

If this is your first Ramadan in Oman, you will notice a definite change roll over the city from the first day to the last day of the Holy Month. A serenity and calm takes over, peace seems to surround the people and everyone is friendlier. If it is indeed your first Ramadan, please read our guide to familiarise yourself with what happens during this month.


Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is one of the most important months for Muslims as it is believed this is the month that the Qu'ran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). During this month, all healthy Muslims fast from dawn to sunset when they must refrain from all food, drink, gum chewing, any kind of tobacco use and any kind of intimacy.

People who are physically or mentally unwell are exempt, as are people who are travelling, women who are pregnant, who are menstruating and children under twelve. If the fast is missed, they should try to make up the fast at a later date, or make a donation to the poor instead.

Fasting or Sawm is one of the five pillars of Islam which all Muslims are expected to follow, the other four are Faith (Shahadah), Prayer (Salah), Charitable Giving (Zakah) and the Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj). 

During Ramadan, most Muslims will tend to wake up just before dawn to eat a meal or some food and this is known as Suhoor. They will then not be able to eat or drink again until sunset when it is traditional to open the fast with a date and then eat and this meal is known as Iftar.

Ramadan may be a time for prayer and reflection in Islam, and while great care is taken to ensure that this is a calm and peaceful loving time for all those that live in Oman, business tends to stay open, but the working hours change. During Ramadan, work hours in most public and private organisations are reduced by two to three hours per day, and business meetings may be difficult to arrange during the day, however many people meet in the Majlis during the night where people spend time with each other while enjoying some food and fresh juice or tea.

Muslims in the private sector may work only six hours per day and government offices close at 14:00 or earlier. Many private offices start work an hour or so later and shops are open until 22:00 or 24:00. This includes fashion outlets and supermarkets. Almost all of the restaurants are closed during the day, the ones that serve food to non-muslims are usually covered in black curtains or boarded up so as to not attract attention. The Ruwi district in Muscat and more popular shopping malls are usually crowded, even at night, and parking can be hard to find!

"All residents have to respect the month of Ramadan - which means adopting the following rules in public places during daylight hours."


Ramadan Features

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    Ramadan may be a time for prayer and reflection in Islam, and while great care is taken to ensure that this is a calm and peaceful loving time for all those that live in Oman business tends to stay open, even though the working hours change. During Ramadan work hours in most public and private organisations are reduced by two to three hours per day, and business meetings may be difficult to arrange during the day, however many people meet in the Majlis during the night where people spend time with each other while enjoying some food and fresh juice or tea.

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    Ramadan always feels like a special time of year regardless of your faith. The Holy Month of Ramadan can be a special month for all as it is a month of giving, peace and introspect. There are things that you can do during this month to either join in or make the most of a more peaceful pace of life. Here we take a look at how you can join in the sentiments of the season. There's plenty to do - from learning a new skill, to fasting yourself to travelling!

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DO's and DON'Ts:

  • No eating, drinking or smoking in public.

  • Dress more modestly, taking care to cover the shoulders, knees and chest area.

  • Don’t play loud music in your home or car.

  • No public displays of affection.

Things That Are Different:

  • Some businesses change their opening hours.

  • Some shops may close in the afternoon (1pm onwards) but most also stay open to later times.

  • There is no live music allowed during Ramadan and of course no alcohol served during daylight - bars and restaurants do open in the evening though with light background music.

  • Rush hour time changes from 6pm to 2pm as most offices close at that time. The roads wil lalso be busy just before sunet. 


SEE ALSO: Cleanse yourself this Ramadan with this fab detox


Tips for non-fasters:

  • There are restaurants and cafes that have a special licence to open during the day for non-fasters and these will be screened-off from public view, so it is still possible to eat outside your home. Most hotels have an outlet open during the day too.

  • If you work, most offices will implement an area for eating and drinking - don’t have coffee or water at your desk as it may disturb your colleagues.

  • If you are pregnant, you are exempt from fasting but it is polite to still be discreet. Same with children - they do not have to fast too but it is always best to be discreet.

  • Your car is classed as a public place, so definitely no smoking in there.

  • You can also use restrooms in malls etc. to take a drink.

  • Try and be patient with people who are fasting - it is tough and it is hot here. Ramadan is a time of peace and you should not shout or show anger.

  • The roads do tend to become a little faster than normal just before Iftar time as people are rushing home to break their fast - take care or avoid driving at this time.

Ramadan is a very special time of year - so embrace where you are and join in - why not try fasting to see what it is like? Do something for charity in the spirit of the season - thinking about others less fortunate than ourselves. You should also try and sample one of the cities many Iftar buffets - enter into the spirit of the season. Ramadan is also a time where people exercise more - so join in and get fit!