When we returned to Dubai, Ramadan was in full swing. This is when Muslims worldwide fast for a month to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. This year it runs from May 27th-June 25th.
Most food places are closed during the day and only open after sunset (Iftar). The food courts at the mall have all the chairs stacked up and there is no service. Some places have curtains or walls to hide the food and you can get it for take-away only.
It is disrespectful to eat or drink in public during daylight hours. Even the Muslim construction workers cannot eat or drink (even water) during the day. They change their shifts to 8 hr days instead of 12 hour shifts. This must be difficult with the extreme heat.
They have big Iftar dinner specials and Troy attended one with his co-workers. They start out the meal eating a date because it provides energy and then they have large buffets that go on all night. On the weekend, some restaurants are open till 2am.
People stay up very late and this also affects the work and school schedules. Business hours are usually 9-3 for Muslims. Troy has been getting home early because the office is pretty dead by late afternoon. The schools start on hour later and get out an hour earlier than usual. They have separate rooms for Muslim students that are fasting during meal times so they are not tempted. Children under ten do not usually fast. If the child is over ten then it is up to the child or the parent.
The malls are open till 2 or 3 am and this contributes to why they start their mornings later than usual. I have also heard that the roads can be more dangerous in the later afternoon with drivers getting sleepy and hungry.
This is also a month for giving to others. There are places all over for donations to help out the less fortunate.
It really has only disrupted my coffee mornings. We found that the restaurant on the golf course is open so that works.