long time, no blog. i've been busy. very busy planning a wedding!! :))) apologies, i did say that my next blog would be written on canadian soil...i lied! time escaped me and i am now back in doha 6 weeks later writing my first blog since i left...did you miss me??? ;)
so, instead of boring you all with the wedding plans and details, i will fill you in on the events that have been happening in doha since i've been away...
ramadan happened - in qatar as in the rest of the world. ramadan is the muslim fasting month and one of the five pillars of islam. it is the month in which the qur'an was revealed to the prophet muhammed. from dawn to dusk muslims fast - they abstain not only from food but from drink, gum chewing, smoking, sex and other pleasures. however, the fasting person must be a pleasant person with good spirit and good cheer. this means all false talks, quarrels, disputes, swearing, etc. should be avoided. in addition, one should not make a show of one's fasting by talking too much about it, by showing dry lips, a hungry stomach or a bad temper!! acts of kindness and charity to others are encouraged during this time as well as an increase in worship and reading of the qur'an. muslims should read the entire qur'an at least once during the month of ramadan.
why?...you may ask? muslims hope that the fasting will not only draw them closer to god (allah), but also lead to greater empathy with the poor and hungry.
additionally, during this time muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs in order to focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment. as a result, the work day is dramatically reduced and many people sleep during the afternoon. thankfully, some grocery stores remain open during the daylight hours. yet, all food outlets (restaurants, fast food chains, starbucks, etc.) are closed - with the exception of a few in hotels which do open with extended hours after sunset. in a sense the night turns to day and vice versa.
every day before sunrise, their day begins with suhur, the pre-fast meal taken at least a half hour before sunrise or fajr prayer. it is believed that suhur will strengthen the fasting muslim, lessen the hardship of fasting and lessen the time period of thirst and hunger.
iftar (the meal that breaks the fast) is the meal after sunset - sunset being when' the disk of the sun goes below the horizon and disappears completely'. it is traditional to break the fast with water and dates, followed by the maghrib prayer and then the main meal of the day. dates are a smart choice as they contain potassium and magnesium - some of the minerals lost when the body becomes dehydrated, as well as tanin and fibre to counter gastronomic problems and lastly, sugar to replace blood sugar levels.
although non-muslims are not expected to participate in the fast, we are expected to respect the laws and rules of the country. therefore, this means no drinking, eating, smoking, chewing gum, etc, etc in public. most noteably, the country is completely dry during this time - no alcohol anywhere!! except of course, in the confines of your home :) it is also advised to avoid driving in the hour immediately before sunset, as many muslims are rushing to family members'/ friends' homes or restaurants to break their fast. subsquently, many accidents occur at this time.
nevertheless, we are not alone...the elderly, chronically ill, insane and children are also exempt from fasting. though, the first two groups must endeavor to feed one poor person a day in place of their missed fasting. also exempt are pregnant women, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns, however, they all must make up the days they miss at a later date.
no sooner than finishing the writing of this blog 'eid' has began...more on that tomorrow...
so, instead of boring you all with the wedding plans and details, i will fill you in on the events that have been happening in doha since i've been away...
ramadan happened - in qatar as in the rest of the world. ramadan is the muslim fasting month and one of the five pillars of islam. it is the month in which the qur'an was revealed to the prophet muhammed. from dawn to dusk muslims fast - they abstain not only from food but from drink, gum chewing, smoking, sex and other pleasures. however, the fasting person must be a pleasant person with good spirit and good cheer. this means all false talks, quarrels, disputes, swearing, etc. should be avoided. in addition, one should not make a show of one's fasting by talking too much about it, by showing dry lips, a hungry stomach or a bad temper!! acts of kindness and charity to others are encouraged during this time as well as an increase in worship and reading of the qur'an. muslims should read the entire qur'an at least once during the month of ramadan.
why?...you may ask? muslims hope that the fasting will not only draw them closer to god (allah), but also lead to greater empathy with the poor and hungry.
additionally, during this time muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs in order to focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment. as a result, the work day is dramatically reduced and many people sleep during the afternoon. thankfully, some grocery stores remain open during the daylight hours. yet, all food outlets (restaurants, fast food chains, starbucks, etc.) are closed - with the exception of a few in hotels which do open with extended hours after sunset. in a sense the night turns to day and vice versa.
every day before sunrise, their day begins with suhur, the pre-fast meal taken at least a half hour before sunrise or fajr prayer. it is believed that suhur will strengthen the fasting muslim, lessen the hardship of fasting and lessen the time period of thirst and hunger.
iftar (the meal that breaks the fast) is the meal after sunset - sunset being when' the disk of the sun goes below the horizon and disappears completely'. it is traditional to break the fast with water and dates, followed by the maghrib prayer and then the main meal of the day. dates are a smart choice as they contain potassium and magnesium - some of the minerals lost when the body becomes dehydrated, as well as tanin and fibre to counter gastronomic problems and lastly, sugar to replace blood sugar levels.
although non-muslims are not expected to participate in the fast, we are expected to respect the laws and rules of the country. therefore, this means no drinking, eating, smoking, chewing gum, etc, etc in public. most noteably, the country is completely dry during this time - no alcohol anywhere!! except of course, in the confines of your home :) it is also advised to avoid driving in the hour immediately before sunset, as many muslims are rushing to family members'/ friends' homes or restaurants to break their fast. subsquently, many accidents occur at this time.
nevertheless, we are not alone...the elderly, chronically ill, insane and children are also exempt from fasting. though, the first two groups must endeavor to feed one poor person a day in place of their missed fasting. also exempt are pregnant women, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns, however, they all must make up the days they miss at a later date.
no sooner than finishing the writing of this blog 'eid' has began...more on that tomorrow...
2 comments:
Hi Mike & Krista,
Thanks for the new blog - we were having "withdrawal" - haha. It was great to have you home for a while!!! Hope you survive "Ramadan".
Love,
Dad & Mom Molson
i was wondering where you went.
Post a Comment