Ramadan... From Dawn 'til Dusk.

On Monday night someone important spotted the new moon and the holy month of Ramadan was announced across the UAE and across the world. Ramadan is a lunar month in which all Muslims fast from dawn til dusk. No food, no drink. Alchol and smoking are also banned. Office hours are cut and generally it is a more relaxed month.

Non-Muslims are also restricted in their actions. We are not allowed to eat or drink in public. The children are exempt of course, but at school staff are only supposed to eat and drink in the staff room. Working hours are also cut, my hours are now 8am till 2pm (of course that is the minimum, as Zadok drops me off I am still going in much earlier). Food is still served at our club as it is private but alcohol is not served until after 6pm. Music is also not allowed so all will be quiet on the weekends for a while!

Traffic is generaly better but when I leave school in the afternoon it is awful as all the school now get out at the same time aas well as many buisnesses. We are avoiding driving in the early evening as fasters speed home to break their fast. After 7-7-30pm the traffic is good as averyone is home eating!