Ramadan Mubarak

[hc4361]

Wishing all our Muslim ABers peace and happiness during this special time for them.

[HowardKennitby]

Must be hard for any that are at the North Pole at this time :-)

[hc4361]

And for the Muslim athletes during the Olympics.

[boxtops]

This is one of the longest times of year for Ramadan in the Northern Hemisphere - it's a long fast from pre-dawn to sundown. I believe at the North Pole, they would make accommodations, Howard!

I join hc in wishing the same to anyone starting their fast tomorrow morning.

[dotty.]

i think he's the bloke that's bought my suitcases

[anneasquith]

i add my best wishes.

[beso]

But the Muslims at the South Pole can have an all night party non-stop for three months.

[Kiki-frog]

And my best wishes too.

Our local takeaway has a notice up explaining that staff wil be fasting for the holy month of Ramadan and asking customers to be understanding. It must be dreadful to be cooking and serving all that wonderful food and not being able to eat until sundown.

[beso]

Come sundown they have a feast so I am sure it helps them through.

I remember several years ago meeting a Muslim in Australia where it was Ramadan in mid summer. He said that forgoing food was was not a problem but not being able to drink anything was tough.

It struck me a particularly unhealthy and rather silly custom.

[Kiki-frog]

I believe pregnant/breastfeeding/menstruating women, children and people who are ill are exempt, so it's probably not too bad from a health point of view

[ladybirder]

I didn't realise they couldn't have a drink either. That must be hard especially in hot countries, even dangerous possibly. Eating a large meal in the evening to see you through to the next evening isn't that difficult I don't think. I can go all day without food but I need a drink.

[starone]

I believe you can eat throughout the night if you wish, so it might be possible to set your alarm to wake you pre-dawn so that you can eat again before the day starts. Correct me if I am wrong anyone, I am not sure of my facts here.

[Brinjal]

It's the nothing to drink that I would find hardest.

[boxtops]

Yes starby, you must set your alarm for the pre-dawn meal, as there is a morning prayer to be said straight after that.

It's not a good idea to eat all night, particularly if you have to work all the next day - and feasting during Ramadan's not encouraged, it's supposed to be a time of abstention, so you feast at the end when it's over.

As mentioned ^ there are exemptions, and people can make the time up later - but it's the drinking that I would find difficult, I get a headache if I'm dehydrated, I drink water all through the day.