Ramadan's Journal #27

Today is the last entry I'm writing about Ramadan. Because the month of fasting ends today.

Tomorrow - and after tomorrow - is going to be holiday here (remember, weekend here is Friday). The holiday is called Eid ul-Fitr. It means something like "Festivity for the end of Fasting". I've been told people are going to be celebrating in the streets and having fun. Unfortunately, I have read in the newspapers, that harassment of women increases considerably during Eid. It seems so serious that a local feminist movement is going to promote patrols in metro stations.

I thought that a good thing to prayer about is to ask for end of sexual harassment. And, because it's not going to end suddenly, to ask that we, ladies, may learn to speak up against it and that we may not feel guilty or devalued because of it.

The following short film tackles the issue. It's in Arabic, but I'm sure you can understand it: the harassment, the inside voice blaming herself, the shame, suffering, and a final point when she SPEAKs UP. There'll be a period. A full stop.

As it is stated in the end of the video:

you are not flattering

you are harassing

your silence allows it. speak up

That's my prayer and celebration for Eid.

You can read Wikipedia's article for the Eid HERE.

PS: I was planning to write about Eid, telling about all the yummie biscuits that appeared recently in the baker's and crowded supermarkets. But how could I when I open the [e-]newspapers and article after article is talking about what I actually wrote? Definitely, I am not the one who is going to keep quiet, right?

PS2: a bomb in Herat, Afghanistan, kills 12 civilians. Taliban saying Eid Karim! (generous Eid) - they said the killings in the last days are their Eid's message. Not that I am going to reason about this, but I guess I'm feeling a bit like John Lenon today. Eid Mubarak (Happy Eid), War is not Over. 

Ramadan's Journal #26

There is a place I really like here. It's the immigration office. How different it is from the other parts of the city. Although women still take part in the public life here - as singers, TV stars, evening news' presenters and cashiers - public offices are the most friendly work-places for women. In this places, women usually don't have lower incomes than men and they are more welcome then in the private enterprises.

So, it's always a pleasure to go to the immigration office. All those veiled women laughing loud during their breakfast time, shouting to men on the other side of their desks and telling everybody else to obey them. Talk about empowerment of women. There is a spot in their lives where they have power - and better still, they know it.

How different was to apply to a visa during Ramadan. No bad humour, but no breakfast together, to start with. Try to picture yourself: office hours are from 8:00 to 14:00, but be sure that at eight, they're  sipping their teas and eating aish baladi with something: it can be feta cheese, beans, cucumber or eggs. They're waiting for the officials to bring the documents they are going to work with, with laughter and chitchat. Not during Ramadan, of course.

Then you have a pretty silent office. All civil workers are there waiting for their papers and they don't have much to talk to each other. No smiles. The woman who attends me is even polite this time. Justice be done, it seems the ex-pats are more polite to her as well - it is as though everybody's energy went out.

Hopefully, next time, the place will be alive again. ;-)

Ramadan's Journal #25

Today I'll write the gloomiest post of this Ramadan's series. Not about something that has happened to me. And, actually, probably doesn't have to do with Ramadan per si - any big national event would probably have the same consequences. But how can one read all this news about countries in the same region and don't feel moved? Particularly in a time where, in spite of the bad humour of people because of a strict fasting in ages when Narcisism is the law, believers are supposed to be more generous,  more supportive.

Iran faces an earthquake tragedy. Not only the government response is slow... (as most of things get slow in Ramadan) but all those who are hurt need blood infusion. But how to give blood if you are fasting?

And Afghani people, who had their quota of sufferings in the past decades, now are targeted in the craziest of attacks. It seems it become fashionable to explode bombs in crowded markets, with people spending the little they have to celebrate the Eid (the day after Ramadan ends).

Isn't it to cry and tremble?

The news were published by Al Jazeera. You can read about Iran here and about Afghanistan here. 

Ramadan's Journal #24

In the Wikipedia entry about Ramadan is stated that fasting doesn't pose any risk to healthy individuals. On the contrary, there is even a reduction of cholesterol in the blood of those observing Ramadan.

I decided I wanted to be healthier in Ramadan too. Because during Iftar the traffic is a bit lighter and even virtually in-existent in certain areas, it makes an ideal time to go jogging. Not because I'm jogging amid the cars, but because of pollution levels. I have looked and looked for a running track or a jogging place. There is none nearby. Jogging isn't popular here as it is in other places. And clubs' membership are very expensive, so that's out of question.

So a local friend suggested to go to a certain avenue, which is a safe place, and run there in the pavement. It's not the best way, but until something better comes up, I won't stop. Every time I run I wonder why I stayed such a long time without doing it.

Ramadan karim - generous Ramadan to my health and my sleepless nights. 

Ramadan's Journal #23

I found two very interesting videos in YouTube that illustrates many things I have been talking about in the last weeks:

First, Ramadan in Sweden, a western country where Muslims are minority:

Then, Ramadan in Egypt, a middle-eastern country, where Muslims are majority:

Enjoy! Really interesting videos!!! 

Ramadan's Journal #22

It may give an impression that Ramadan is all about fasting. And to a certain extent, as a non believer, my life is affected - if I can be bold enough to say it is affected - because of the fasting and it's consequences to the traffic or public transportation.

However, it certainly isn't all about food. If you are to observe Ramadan, you should increase the number of your prayers and also the reading/reciting of the Koran.

[SIDE COMMENT:] [I know there are lots of discussion about prayers in Islamism, but I am the last person in the world who would discuss the differences between Sunnis, Shi'as, etc.]

Muslims have five mandatory prayer times. It is really a prayer time, because you should pray in pre-determined hours of the day. They are:

1st - Fajr, from dawn to sunrise;
2nd - Zuhr, after noon, until Asr, which is the next prayer time;
3rd - Asr, in the afternoon;
4th - Maghrib, after sunset or dusk;
5th - Isha, from dusk until dawn.

Now, prayer, it's not only to close your eyes or quietly recite some poem or verses. You have a whole prescription for prayer, including preparation, stance and place.

What does this have to do with Ramadan? In Ramadan you should pray more. So, people add another prayer time: the Tarawih, an extra congregational prayer at night. So, after breaking the fast, you'll see lots of people heading to the mosques.

Tarawih is an interesting way of accomplishing two things at once. During this prayers 1/30 of the Koran is recited. That means that in the end of Ramadan, you'll have recited the whole Koran plus prayed a lot more.

If you want to know details or go deeper in the subject, check the Wikipedia entry for worship practices in Islam.

Ramadan's Journal #21

Today's tales is from work again. The newest AC in the office broke. Because it's Summer, it's very important to fix it.

Three o'clock in the afternoon: we are contacting the technical support service. 'No', they replied, 'Today, no one can go and repair your air conditioner'.

Lack of staff? Staff busy? They themselves clarify: It's Ramadan! 

Ramadan's Journal #20

I might have been getting too local... 22:00 and I'm cooking my dinner. =\ 

Beautiful Ramadan's decoration:

To make clear: these pics were taken from a touristic space. I doubt any person would decorate his/her house like this. 

My taste for a more heavy-metal-minimalist style is getting messed up. 

Ramadan's Journal #19

There are some things I haven't seen during Ramadan - talking here about things I read I would see:

- Because it's a month, you should be more generous and give more generously, it is expected an increase of beggars in the streets. But probably because economy is going bad, it's been the same for me: a lot of people sleeping in the streets and lots of beggars everywhere (so sad there are things like these in any part of the world...). 

- Also in the name of generosity, rich people and big companies would cater Iftar for the poor. I haven't seen any of this - it doesn't mean there isn't any, of course. 

I have seen and heard about that for the services where people will keep working even before, during or after Iftar, they gather together to celebrate in the workplace. Like people in the supermarket around the corner, or the fakakhani (fruit vendor) and his staff (including a child who shouldn't be working, but...);

Taxi drivers aren't more generous. As in everywhere in the world, they keep trying to cheat you, Ramadan or not. =P 

Ramadan's Journal #18

I guess I'm tired and in need of a good laugh.

Ramadan's Journal #17

Someone asked me if I was going to have special working hours during Ramadan.

"Oh, yes, I replied, I'll start working full time". =P

No joke! But here I found one:

Tariq was travelling down a path in Bahawalpur, Pakistan when he saw a large group of people outside a house.

It was in the middle of the day during Ramadan, so he stopped and asked Asif why such a large crowd of men was gathered there at this time.

Asif replied, 'Saleem's camel kicked his mother-in-law and she died.' 
'Well,' replied the man, 'She must have had a lot of friends.'

'Nope,' said Asif.' We all just want to buy his camel.'

Source: http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/saints/ramadan_humour.htm (with lots of other jokes).

Ramadan's Journal #16

Another thing that also changes in Ramadan is opening hours. Shops won't open in the morning, sometimes not also in the afternoon. I live in a 24/7 metropolis, but it is unbelievable how nights become even more kindled with joy, conversations, people in the streets, horns and... music. I live in a quiet neighbourhood (quiet for local patterns), but one of the neighbours always leave to the street in the middle of the night playing his tambourine. Of course, with such a liveliness in the evening, why bother with business during the day? 

Well, that is for Ramadan today. But a friend asked in the national version of the blog about Muslims being allowed to smoke and I promised her an answer. So, here goes a quick answer by an outsider (if you are looking for an extensive research about the theme, google it, read a book or talk to a scholar). 

* * * 

Tobacco has been used in the Americas (the continent) for years before the Europeans' arrival, but  its further dissemination and commercialization as cigarettes started only in the 16th century, after their presence. Therefore, like other Sacred Books, Koran does not rule specifically about it, because it was written in the 7th century and believers should look for principles that guide them concerning the matter. 

The theme is obviously very controversial: the ones who are con, will say it's prohibited because it harms your health, does no good to yourself and to others, is a signal of moral decadence etc. The ones who are pro will say there's nothing clear about it in Koran and that the addiction would be the sin, not smoking itself. There is actually a fatwa (new legal rulings made by Islamic scholars), which prohibits the use of tobacco. 

However, the fact is that, prohibited or not, people do smoke a lot here. ;-) 

I couldn't write this all by my own knowledge, of course. Besides Wikipedia, here are the sources: 

• The evils of smoking: for inside opinion; 
• Smoking Fatwa: for legal resource. 

Ramadan's Journal #15

Today, another underground chronicle.

I was coming back home after a lunch and a walk with a friend, the feeling that I just had a perfect Friday/weekend. I was thirsty, but we were in public spaces and the metro is certainly not the place to eat or drink. I knew, however, that soon it would be time for fasting breaking. Somehow, the anticipation of being able to drink the water that was inside my bag was getting very irritating. My throat burning; my head light.

Suddenly the women sit besides me offers me Fanta. I gaze willingly the fresh orange drink and politely  refuse. She insists, I vehemently say no - was it too much obvious that I needed to drink something? Or was just temptation? Around the wagon, people start moving. Some open snacks. A woman comes offering dates to everybody. A girl passes to her mother a packaged meal. Oh, it's time for Iftar.

I accept a date and drink all my water at once. Just feel like I'm part of the scenario somehow. With dates and water, just like the tradition. The angels should have been all over. =) 

Ramadan's Journal #14

I'm trying not to complain about traffic again... This time, after Iftar, when everybody seems to go into streets to do whatever.

Instead I will talk about Ramadan during the different seasons.

I have never seen dawn here. But I know that everyday, about 5 o'clock in the morning, the rays of sun comes through the windows' slots and gently wake me up. The apartment is all drowned in light in the very early morning. Then, about 19:00 the sun sets. It doesn't get dark before 20:00, tho. 


So, you eat the suhur before dawn - the first large meal. Then, when daylight is over, they'll break the fast with dates or water, before Iftar. With 40ºC during the day. 


Ramadan during Summer is hard. 


But I still have one question: if during one month, Muslims should fast from dawn to sunset, how they do if they're living on Finland or Sweden, where, for some days, the sun doesn't set?

Ramadan's Journal #13

Today's story was told by a friend, who has just arrived - by plane. At 2:00 in the morning.

She explained that three planes had landed at similar times and, therefore, the immigration queue was long. Very long. Now, it's not a normal immigration situation. It's a queue of people who has until 3 in the morning to eat their last meal (the vast majority of them, at least), which is the time of the first prayer, during Ramadan's month.

I suppose the whole thing gets a new scope because immigration officers are probably in the same situation of the travellers - and want to finish their job as soon as possible. My friend said they were working as fast as she never saw before.

Honestly, I wonder why the West still believes in secularism. In this part of the world, it seems but a faint trace of another dimension.