It is Ramadam in the Muslim world. 30 days of prayers and fastıng during daylight. The idea behind the fasting is for Muslims to show a willıngness to sacrifice, to understand what people who are starving feel every day. The Koran is divided into 30 parts and Muslims are encourage to read one part each day. They are also encouraged to be on their best behavior.
The general feeling of good will bears some resemblance to the Christmas spirit. Of course, like Christians, sometimes Mulims get carried away with a more commercial side of Ramadam. When they break their daily fast on nightfall, they pig out. Many people actually gain weight. They often buy new clothes for Eid, the holiday which comes at the end of Ramadam.
In Oman it is illegal to be seen eating or drinking in the daylight. This law applies to Westerners as well. So I eat at home before work, in the kitchen with the door closed at work and sneak tea when my Muslim coworkers aren't looking.
All restaurants are closed durıng the day, but the grocery stores are open, including the delis. The only people buying the prepared hot and cold foods are expats, which includes the army of Indian workers and the much smaller but still significant Filipino population. We buy our sandwiches and stir-fries and then hurry home to eat them. No snacking in the car.
It's not as bad as it sounds. Everyone is in a good mood, again, like Christmas.
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Some of my coworkers at "The Gap" are practicing Ramadam so I have some exposure to it. Mind you it is not illegal for me to eat during daylight so I am not experiencing it the same as you. I find that very interesting. Do all the restaurants close down temporarily?
Anxiously waiting for a post of your trip destination contest, love Michele
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