Post by vpainter on Feb 25, 2012 22:09:07 GMT
Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by dswiatkowski » Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:10 am
Good Morning All,
I am new here (8 months) and this will be my first Ramadan. I will be gone most of July gathering up my family and closing out all my business in the states. We arrive one week before Ramadan.
I am well aware of the behavioral norms expected while off camp, but what about when onThe Dhahran Compound? Can we walk around with a bottle of water? Can I Barbeque dinner, or would that be haram?
I genuinely do not wish to inadvertantly offend my hosts while I am a guest in there country so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Doug
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by stmayo11 » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:38 pm
Because Muslims also live on camp, it would be considered offensive to carry around a bottle of water in front of any Muslim during Ramadan, whether on camp or off...You are normally welcome to barbecue in your own home during Ramadan, as you're hardly infringing on anyone within the confines of your home. It is a diverse community and not everyone is Muslim. Non-Muslims are not expected to fast all day, just be respectful of others...If you want to be extra sensitive about it, wait until sundown before firing the grill up; however, it seems pretty acceptable to do what you wish within your own home, unless you have a Muslim as a guest in your home. I normally have coffee cups and water bottles sitting around the office, but during Ramadan, I remove anything from my office that would make someone think of food or drink...that's just me.
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Carolina » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:54 pm
o
We have lived through Ramadan in Qatar and understand about not drinking or eating in public etc however does that also mean that all the cafes and restaurants here will also close during Ramadan i.e. all Aramco compounds we are on RT - I would expect so - a new family who have recently arrived asked me the very same question can you please clarify - also hate to ask the obvious but I go to the gymn every day and while exercising I really do need to drink water as I also have a medical condition which means I can get easily dehydrated. Also I heard on the gvine that the outside workers i.e. gardeners etc are allowed to take in water while performing their outside duties during Ramadan - again can you please clarify - thank you.
Kind Regards
Carolina
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by stmayo11 » Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:13 pm
You can get breakfast at the dining hall until about 7 or 7:30am...then it shuts down until lunch. Last year, I think the dining hall was open for sandwiches and light lunch for non-muslims for about 1 hour or so during lunchtime...Then closed until Iftar. Pretty much all the restaurants close down during Ramadan during the daytime. The schedule may vary this year during Ramadan...some things change from year to year...Just check the schedules.
If you're at the gym, just be discreet when drinking water...Same rules apply there, although it's doubtful there will be muslims working out during the daytime this Ramadan...that would seem counterintuitive to me...They usually have 1/2 a workday, then sleep the rest of the afternoon until just before sundown, then they break their fast with iftar, then up until the wee hours of the morning. No matter where you are, on camp or off camp, be very discreet with food and drinks during Ramadan. Do your best to avoid talking about food or drink, or anything that reminds them that they're fasting. This is normal here and you'll get used to it after a while...
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Carolina » Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:11 am
o
Thank you for this clarification as we will be here all of summer this year. I am also certain as you have stated that there will probably be no muslims working out during day time in Ramadan and as it is August the gymn will be fairly empty anyway.
This posting will help a lot of new arrivals who are unsure of opening and closing hours during Ramadan - incidentally we plan to do a big food shop at Lu Lus in Khobar before Ramadan as my husband said the traffic at night in Khobar is chaotic to say the least! yes much more than usual - so we prefer to stay on RT until Ramadan is over.
Kind Regards
Carolina
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by dswiatkowski » Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:01 am
Thanks all for the help. I just do not want to inadvertantly offend any of my Muslim hosts.
Family is arriving one week before Ramadan so their adjustment should be intersting.
Doug
dswiatkowski
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Carolina » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:56 am
o
My husband and I will be here all of summer including Ramadan we note your family will be arriving during then - if we can be of any help for whatever reason just contact me on : carolinecollen@yahoo.co.uk - 6775440 - I note you have been here 8 months but if your wife has questions she can contact me as a lot of Aramcon wives and families will be away during August.
I am still working hard on the information booklet but it is a lot of work so hope to get a rough copy ready by November 2011 as I will be away on vaction to Mauritius during October 2011.
All the best
Kind Regards
Carolina
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by doonhamer » Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:15 am
No eating, drinking or smoking during daylight. Most offices have special rooms so non muslims can have tea & coffee during the day. It's a good time to shop as stores are open until very late.
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Buster » Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:42 pm
As Doonhammer says, shops are open very late.
One downside though is that they are closed most of the day..............and it can be quite difficult to work out Ramadan opening hours when you first arrive.
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Myla » Wed Jul 06, 2011 12:35 pm
Hi All,
As a Muslim (non Saudi) I think its wonderful that people from other cultures want to be sensitive during the month of fasting. However, while I can understand the restaurants being closed (many of the workers might be Muslim and might want time to pray and fix their iftaars), where I come from we really have no problems with non Muslims drinking or eating before a fasting person.
So if you're at a gym - or have a medical condition - please go ahead and drink Fasting is really a spiritual thing, a connection to and should not have anything to do with whatever is happening around you. Heck, I've had breakfasts meetings where everyone else was eating and drinking. As a fasting person, you don't really FEEL anything.
I for one would not be offended at all if anyone had a drink of water or barbequed their dinner next door.
In fact, this is the only country I know where people sleep so much during Ramadhan. Most Muslims just go about their business normally.
Myla
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by kjamaludin » Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:29 pm
Hi,
As a muslim from Malaysia, it is business as usual in Malaysia as we have a mixed population of Muslims & non Muslim.
The situation might be different in Saudi as the majority of the population in Saudi is Muslim and further more, they are our employers / hosts.
I would like to suggest that non Muslims do not eat/drink/smoke in front of Muslims during fasting time (roughly daily from sunrise to sunset) as a matter of respect to our employers / hosts.
Regards
kjamaludin
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by vpainter » Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:45 pm
In Aramco during Ramadan, you are not to eat or drink in public from sunrise to sundown. There are restricted hours for the dining hall and the snack bars. In the office there will be a room for non-muslims to drink coffee and eat a snack or your lunch.
Saudi Arabia is different from other muslim countries in how they handle Ramadan.
Your gardeners who are not muslim will appreciate water, possibly a snack/sandwich, or just a place in your backyard to eat their lunch if it's enclosed during Ramadan. They are not allowed to eat or drink in public during this time either and they get dehydrated in the heat.
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by UmmRiyam » Sat Jul 09, 2011 12:00 pm
I think the idea is to be discreet if you are eating or drinking during the day. Not all Muslims fast during Ramadan for various reasons, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, the time following childbirth, menses, and many medical conditions prevent someone from fasting. Also, children are not required to fast. I missed two Ramadans because of pregnancy/childbirth, and during that time, I did eat in the car when we were out and even sipped on a bottle of water. I don't find it offensive at all to see others not fasting. Muslims should actually feel happy to see others eating and drinking during their time fasting because instead of being a temptation, it's something that makes you stronger.
UmmRiyam
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sorry wrong section
by Brb » Mon Jul 18, 2011 3:14 pm
Hi, Im' new here, I was trying to find out how to start a new topic, so i apologize for posting in the wrong section, but this is the only one that would let me post something. Where is the section for newbies?
Thanks,
Brb
Posts: 1
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Carolina » Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:42 am
o Brb
First welcome to Aramco forum - no problem there - what you need to do is when you log on go to Guest Book and General Discussion and look at the top of the page and you will see POST NEW - when you highlight this it will read as POST NEW REPLY - simply highlight this and then you can post your new message - however if you omit this and choose a posting already posted then you will be given the option to reply hence this is what happened when you tried to post a new message.
Hope this makes sense and good luck
Kind Regards
Carolina
by dswiatkowski » Tue Jun 21, 2011 9:10 am
Good Morning All,
I am new here (8 months) and this will be my first Ramadan. I will be gone most of July gathering up my family and closing out all my business in the states. We arrive one week before Ramadan.
I am well aware of the behavioral norms expected while off camp, but what about when onThe Dhahran Compound? Can we walk around with a bottle of water? Can I Barbeque dinner, or would that be haram?
I genuinely do not wish to inadvertantly offend my hosts while I am a guest in there country so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Doug
dswiatkowski
More than 25 posts
Posts: 43
Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2011 3:50 pm
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by stmayo11 » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:38 pm
Because Muslims also live on camp, it would be considered offensive to carry around a bottle of water in front of any Muslim during Ramadan, whether on camp or off...You are normally welcome to barbecue in your own home during Ramadan, as you're hardly infringing on anyone within the confines of your home. It is a diverse community and not everyone is Muslim. Non-Muslims are not expected to fast all day, just be respectful of others...If you want to be extra sensitive about it, wait until sundown before firing the grill up; however, it seems pretty acceptable to do what you wish within your own home, unless you have a Muslim as a guest in your home. I normally have coffee cups and water bottles sitting around the office, but during Ramadan, I remove anything from my office that would make someone think of food or drink...that's just me.
stmayo11
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Posts: 630
Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:30 am
Location: Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Carolina » Tue Jun 21, 2011 8:54 pm
o
We have lived through Ramadan in Qatar and understand about not drinking or eating in public etc however does that also mean that all the cafes and restaurants here will also close during Ramadan i.e. all Aramco compounds we are on RT - I would expect so - a new family who have recently arrived asked me the very same question can you please clarify - also hate to ask the obvious but I go to the gymn every day and while exercising I really do need to drink water as I also have a medical condition which means I can get easily dehydrated. Also I heard on the gvine that the outside workers i.e. gardeners etc are allowed to take in water while performing their outside duties during Ramadan - again can you please clarify - thank you.
Kind Regards
Carolina
Carolina
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Posts: 381
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:09 pm
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by stmayo11 » Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:13 pm
You can get breakfast at the dining hall until about 7 or 7:30am...then it shuts down until lunch. Last year, I think the dining hall was open for sandwiches and light lunch for non-muslims for about 1 hour or so during lunchtime...Then closed until Iftar. Pretty much all the restaurants close down during Ramadan during the daytime. The schedule may vary this year during Ramadan...some things change from year to year...Just check the schedules.
If you're at the gym, just be discreet when drinking water...Same rules apply there, although it's doubtful there will be muslims working out during the daytime this Ramadan...that would seem counterintuitive to me...They usually have 1/2 a workday, then sleep the rest of the afternoon until just before sundown, then they break their fast with iftar, then up until the wee hours of the morning. No matter where you are, on camp or off camp, be very discreet with food and drinks during Ramadan. Do your best to avoid talking about food or drink, or anything that reminds them that they're fasting. This is normal here and you'll get used to it after a while...
stmayo11
Moderator
Posts: 630
Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:30 am
Location: Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Carolina » Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:11 am
o
Thank you for this clarification as we will be here all of summer this year. I am also certain as you have stated that there will probably be no muslims working out during day time in Ramadan and as it is August the gymn will be fairly empty anyway.
This posting will help a lot of new arrivals who are unsure of opening and closing hours during Ramadan - incidentally we plan to do a big food shop at Lu Lus in Khobar before Ramadan as my husband said the traffic at night in Khobar is chaotic to say the least! yes much more than usual - so we prefer to stay on RT until Ramadan is over.
Kind Regards
Carolina
Carolina
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Posts: 381
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:09 pm
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Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by dswiatkowski » Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:01 am
Thanks all for the help. I just do not want to inadvertantly offend any of my Muslim hosts.
Family is arriving one week before Ramadan so their adjustment should be intersting.
Doug
dswiatkowski
More than 25 posts
Posts: 43
Joined: Sat Jun 18, 2011 3:50 pm
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Carolina » Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:56 am
o
My husband and I will be here all of summer including Ramadan we note your family will be arriving during then - if we can be of any help for whatever reason just contact me on : carolinecollen@yahoo.co.uk - 6775440 - I note you have been here 8 months but if your wife has questions she can contact me as a lot of Aramcon wives and families will be away during August.
I am still working hard on the information booklet but it is a lot of work so hope to get a rough copy ready by November 2011 as I will be away on vaction to Mauritius during October 2011.
All the best
Kind Regards
Carolina
Carolina
More than 25 posts
Posts: 381
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:09 pm
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by doonhamer » Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:15 am
No eating, drinking or smoking during daylight. Most offices have special rooms so non muslims can have tea & coffee during the day. It's a good time to shop as stores are open until very late.
doonhamer
More than 25 posts
Posts: 285
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2009 8:52 pm
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Buster » Tue Jun 28, 2011 10:42 pm
As Doonhammer says, shops are open very late.
One downside though is that they are closed most of the day..............and it can be quite difficult to work out Ramadan opening hours when you first arrive.
Buster
More than 25 posts
Posts: 175
Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:04 am
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Myla » Wed Jul 06, 2011 12:35 pm
Hi All,
As a Muslim (non Saudi) I think its wonderful that people from other cultures want to be sensitive during the month of fasting. However, while I can understand the restaurants being closed (many of the workers might be Muslim and might want time to pray and fix their iftaars), where I come from we really have no problems with non Muslims drinking or eating before a fasting person.
So if you're at a gym - or have a medical condition - please go ahead and drink Fasting is really a spiritual thing, a connection to and should not have anything to do with whatever is happening around you. Heck, I've had breakfasts meetings where everyone else was eating and drinking. As a fasting person, you don't really FEEL anything.
I for one would not be offended at all if anyone had a drink of water or barbequed their dinner next door.
In fact, this is the only country I know where people sleep so much during Ramadhan. Most Muslims just go about their business normally.
Myla
More than 2 posts
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2011 12:20 pm
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by kjamaludin » Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:29 pm
Hi,
As a muslim from Malaysia, it is business as usual in Malaysia as we have a mixed population of Muslims & non Muslim.
The situation might be different in Saudi as the majority of the population in Saudi is Muslim and further more, they are our employers / hosts.
I would like to suggest that non Muslims do not eat/drink/smoke in front of Muslims during fasting time (roughly daily from sunrise to sunset) as a matter of respect to our employers / hosts.
Regards
kjamaludin
More than 20 posts
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun May 08, 2011 10:00 am
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by vpainter » Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:45 pm
In Aramco during Ramadan, you are not to eat or drink in public from sunrise to sundown. There are restricted hours for the dining hall and the snack bars. In the office there will be a room for non-muslims to drink coffee and eat a snack or your lunch.
Saudi Arabia is different from other muslim countries in how they handle Ramadan.
Your gardeners who are not muslim will appreciate water, possibly a snack/sandwich, or just a place in your backyard to eat their lunch if it's enclosed during Ramadan. They are not allowed to eat or drink in public during this time either and they get dehydrated in the heat.
vpainter
Moderator
Posts: 2392
Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2002 3:36 pm
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by UmmRiyam » Sat Jul 09, 2011 12:00 pm
I think the idea is to be discreet if you are eating or drinking during the day. Not all Muslims fast during Ramadan for various reasons, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, the time following childbirth, menses, and many medical conditions prevent someone from fasting. Also, children are not required to fast. I missed two Ramadans because of pregnancy/childbirth, and during that time, I did eat in the car when we were out and even sipped on a bottle of water. I don't find it offensive at all to see others not fasting. Muslims should actually feel happy to see others eating and drinking during their time fasting because instead of being a temptation, it's something that makes you stronger.
UmmRiyam
More than 25 posts
Posts: 350
Joined: Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:00 pm
Top
sorry wrong section
by Brb » Mon Jul 18, 2011 3:14 pm
Hi, Im' new here, I was trying to find out how to start a new topic, so i apologize for posting in the wrong section, but this is the only one that would let me post something. Where is the section for newbies?
Thanks,
Brb
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jul 18, 2011 2:53 pm
Top
Re: Ramadan Behavior ON CAMP
by Carolina » Tue Jul 19, 2011 9:42 am
o Brb
First welcome to Aramco forum - no problem there - what you need to do is when you log on go to Guest Book and General Discussion and look at the top of the page and you will see POST NEW - when you highlight this it will read as POST NEW REPLY - simply highlight this and then you can post your new message - however if you omit this and choose a posting already posted then you will be given the option to reply hence this is what happened when you tried to post a new message.
Hope this makes sense and good luck
Kind Regards
Carolina