Each Ramadan, work holds a fundraising campaign for non-muslims to raise money for various charities. Non-muslims fundraise by committing to fasting for one day and are sponsored by fellow Muslim employees.
Janelle and I decided to give it a shot and see what fasting was like, keeping in mind we were doing it for one day only compared to 30. The groundrules are quite simple, you cannot eat or drink from 4am until Iftar which was at 6:52pm. We approached the fast like we were getting ready for a triathlon, carb loading the night before with rice and chicken and drinking as much water as possible to try and stay hydrated all day. With the fundraising done, the alarm was set for an early breakfast at 3:30am. Janelle decided to sleep right through but I knew I would not make it the entire day without eatting or drinking coffee so my breakfast was just that, cereal, toast and coffee at 3:40am. You must be done eatting by 4am as that's when first prayers start, so there was time to go back to bed! One of the harder things for me was the disruption of sleep, we were continually told that you get used to it...but I'm not so sure.
The first few hours of the morning weren't so bad, the key being busy meant the less you notice the hunger or needing a coffee. By lunch I was really getting hungry but again it came in waves and soon enough it would subside for a bit. During Ramadan anyone who is fasting is allowed to go home at 1pm to essentially sleep. Janelle and I were also able to leave early this day and headed home at 2:30pm for a nap. We slept alright but we were both really feeling the effects of not eating or drinking by 5pm. It was interesting how we didn't have the energy for anything. I can't imagine feeling that way for an entire month. That night the charitable organization hosted Iftar (break the fast). By exactly 6:52pm with the call to prayer, everyone began eating dates and drinking water. There are usually some sweets and samosas as well, just an appetizer before the main meal. After the fast is broken for the day, all Muslims must go pray before eating the main meal. Dinner was very enjoyable and much needed, I've never tasted such good dates before! I was still unable to shake my coffee headache and Janelle and I both went home and essentially straight to sleep at 8:30pm feeling satisfied and exhausted.
One of the main reasons for fasting during the holy month is to identify with people who cannot afford food. It is also a time of giving, social gatherings and extra prayers. Fasting was a good experience to briefly see what Muslims go through, but not one that I would want to do for a month. Ramadan ended on August 19th which marked the beginning of Eid (the Muslim equivalent to Christmas Day). Eid lasts 3 days and also is the start of restaurants and coffee shops being open during the day and very importantly for us bars begin serving alcohol again. Eid also marks a well needed week long public holiday and the beginning of the expat families returning back to Muscat from their extended vacations home. With the weather starting to improve and people returning we're excited for things to begin picking up again after a very quiet summer.
Janelle and I decided to give it a shot and see what fasting was like, keeping in mind we were doing it for one day only compared to 30. The groundrules are quite simple, you cannot eat or drink from 4am until Iftar which was at 6:52pm. We approached the fast like we were getting ready for a triathlon, carb loading the night before with rice and chicken and drinking as much water as possible to try and stay hydrated all day. With the fundraising done, the alarm was set for an early breakfast at 3:30am. Janelle decided to sleep right through but I knew I would not make it the entire day without eatting or drinking coffee so my breakfast was just that, cereal, toast and coffee at 3:40am. You must be done eatting by 4am as that's when first prayers start, so there was time to go back to bed! One of the harder things for me was the disruption of sleep, we were continually told that you get used to it...but I'm not so sure.
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| 3:41am Breakfast |
The first few hours of the morning weren't so bad, the key being busy meant the less you notice the hunger or needing a coffee. By lunch I was really getting hungry but again it came in waves and soon enough it would subside for a bit. During Ramadan anyone who is fasting is allowed to go home at 1pm to essentially sleep. Janelle and I were also able to leave early this day and headed home at 2:30pm for a nap. We slept alright but we were both really feeling the effects of not eating or drinking by 5pm. It was interesting how we didn't have the energy for anything. I can't imagine feeling that way for an entire month. That night the charitable organization hosted Iftar (break the fast). By exactly 6:52pm with the call to prayer, everyone began eating dates and drinking water. There are usually some sweets and samosas as well, just an appetizer before the main meal. After the fast is broken for the day, all Muslims must go pray before eating the main meal. Dinner was very enjoyable and much needed, I've never tasted such good dates before! I was still unable to shake my coffee headache and Janelle and I both went home and essentially straight to sleep at 8:30pm feeling satisfied and exhausted.
One of the main reasons for fasting during the holy month is to identify with people who cannot afford food. It is also a time of giving, social gatherings and extra prayers. Fasting was a good experience to briefly see what Muslims go through, but not one that I would want to do for a month. Ramadan ended on August 19th which marked the beginning of Eid (the Muslim equivalent to Christmas Day). Eid lasts 3 days and also is the start of restaurants and coffee shops being open during the day and very importantly for us bars begin serving alcohol again. Eid also marks a well needed week long public holiday and the beginning of the expat families returning back to Muscat from their extended vacations home. With the weather starting to improve and people returning we're excited for things to begin picking up again after a very quiet summer.
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