10 Tips to Surviving Ramadan as an Expat in the Middle East
The first week of Ramadan has passed, and while Muslims are getting comfortable in their fasting rituals, many expats (especially those new to the region) are still trying to wrap their heads around the complete change in environment.
In many Arab countries, those not fasting find it difficult to adapt to 30 days of not eating or drinking in public. It’s even forbidden in some cities out respect for those fasting. If you live in Dubai, you’ll notice the huge curtains and screens covering cafes and restaurants so that expats can eat and drink privately. While most expats hop on a plane and head home for the holidays, many have to stay and adapt accordingly.
So here are a few tips to help keep you Ramadan friendly:
1. Learn about the month
Having moved to the Middle East, you’ve already pretty much immersed yourself in the culture by now; throwing in a few inshallahs and habibis in conversation. While Ramadan is primarily a religious holiday, it’s become a cultural holiday as well, with colorful lights, lanterns and songs. Learn about why Muslims fast, and what the month means.
2. Explore the Ramadan tents
Ramadan tents are a purely cultural addition to the holy month, where everyone is welcome to enjoy food, shisha, and entertainment until the sun comes up. Join the celebration! You can experience Christmas everywhere you go, but Ramadan tends are purely a Middle Eastern tradition.
3. Host or attend a fitar
You don’t have to be Muslim to attend or host a fitar (breaking fast – aka breakfast). The fitar is always a beautiful gathering of loved ones over a home cooked meal to celebrate their effort of fasting during the day. It’s a celebration of family, friends, faith and a copious amount of sugary sweets. Be part of that celebration.
4. Help a fasting friend out
Fasting takes a lot out of you, especially in these long, hot summer hours. With the lack of well, pretty much everything, in your friend’s system, you may find them a bit sluggish. So if you see them carrying a heavy box and slowly falling to the floor, maybe lend them a helping hand.
5. Do not, under any circumstance, call a fasting person on the weekend before 1 pm.
Don’t do it. Muslims tend to stay up until the sunrise to eat and pray, and then sleep, and then get up for work a few hours later. The weekend is the ONE time they get to sleep in. Don’t be that guy.
6. “Even water?”
Yes, even water. Don’t be that guy either.
7. Dress respectively
That does not mean get veiled. That does not mean wear long sleeves. Just respect the local culture and religion. You live in the Middle East and it’s a holy month, so maybe throw a cardigan around that crop top.
8. Use it as a detox month
With kale and green tea detoxes happening left, right and center, you might as well take advantage of Ramadan to join the party. Fasting helps detox your body and your life.
Muslims don’t just fast from food, but from bad habits. So what better time to finally get on that detox plan you pinned last month? You don’t have to fast, although many diets suggest intermittent fasting for detox. Just do whatever detox routine works best for you.
9. Captain Obvious: Avoid eating and drinking in front of those fasting
Obviously. The truth is, most people that fast aren’t starving all day long. They’re generally tired, thirsty, and trying not to curse the guy who cut them off in traffic. Every day is a practice in self-discipline. So snacking on a bagel probably won’t make your fasting friend’s stomach rumble, but it’s more about respecting their fasting mindset.
10. Travel
It’s summer, so take advantage of the month and jet set!
WE SAID THIS: Don’t miss Ramadan 2015: The Best Iftars In Dubai.
