RSSRamadan is the holy month in the Islamic calendar, a period during which followers of Islam, the Muslims, across the globe celebrate the disclosing of the Holy Koran to Prophet Mohammad by Archangel Gabriel at the Holy Mountain, Hira. According to the Islamic beliefs and traditions, Mohammad came to know about the holy teachings of Allah during Laylat al Qadr, which is prominent among the last ten nights of the Ramadan season.
Muslims across the globe observe fasting for a period of 30 days during this holy month. Fasting implies complete abstinence from all kinds of world pleasure, including food, consumption of alcohol, using tobacco products and sex. People are also expected to think only about Allah and keep their mind free of all unwanted thoughts.
The fasting is observed between dawn and the dusk. Once the sun set, people break the fast by sipping water. Only during this temporary halt, which gets over till the next sunrise, people are allowed to have food and water.
Ramadan Celebrations In Dubai
People of Dubai, including non-Muslims, are strictly prohibited from indulging in eating and drinking in public places, but within hotel premises eating is allowed.
As said, the fast is broken for a temporary period of time till the next sunrise. During the evenings after the fast is broken, people in Dubai indulge in fest, which is known as ‘Iftar’. The temporary break gets over in the morning, just before the sun rises with a very light meal called the ‘Suhoor’.
Ramadan is a season of pure joy and festivities in Dubai. Huge tents in large numbers are raised across the city of Dubai. The Iftar fest is held there where food is provided for the people of the city and tourists. The Iftar fest is not restricted for the Muslims alone. People of any nation or any religion can enjoy the foods and drinks served and be a part of the celebrations and festivities.
One of the major highlights of the Iftar fest is that one will get to taste various ethnic and authentic dishes from the Arabian nations. You also get to drag on Shisha also known as Hookah, which is actually the pipe for smoking tobacco. But the speciality of this pipe is that the tobacco comes with the flavour of fruits and most of the time, you can smoke apple-flavoured tobacco, as apple is the favourite fruit of the Arabs.
Traditionally, Iftar means having water and eating dates in very little amounts, but now Iftar has become the synonym for enjoying a hearty meal.
Special fests and events are held in 5-star hotels. The tourists can indulge in Ramadan special activities and events that may be exclusively arranged for them by the hotels. These hotels also raise special tents across the city so that the residents of their hotel can enjoy Iftar fest, even if they miss them at the hotels.
People generously and happily exchange the greetings ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ and ‘Ramadan Kareem’, which mean “May you be blessed during Ramadan” and “Be generous during Ramadan” respectively.
The month of Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid-ul-Fitar or the Ramadan Id, which is celebrated when people sight the moon in the sky. Women have a great time during this time. They apply mehandi to their hands and sing and dance. They receive gifts and buy new dresses.
In short, Ramadan in Dubai is an ideal time to enjoy the festivities and beauty of the city. In 2010, the festivities of Ramadan start on 11th of August and is expected to get over on 9th of September.
