Five things you may not know about Ramadan

You may be familiar with Ramadan's basic practices, such as abstaining from food, drink and sex during the daylight hours of the holy month, but there are some facts that you may not be aware of...

1. Ramadan is the second highest spending month of the year in the Middle East:Many Muslims break their fast in restaurants and cafeterias during Ramadan, and enjoy entertainment until the early hours of the morning. Others spend the evenings, after the sunset meal Iftar, wandering around shopping malls (many of which have extended opening hours), socialising and buying gifts. By the end of the month, consumer spending will have dramatically soared to make it the second biggest month after Christmas. Companies such as telecoms providers, consumer goods brands and government agencies consequently spend up to half of their annual advertising budget during Ramadan as people in the region spend more time at home, shopping or calling friends and family.
2. Ramadan has no associated symbol: Christmas can be symbolised by a Christmas tree or Father Christmas (Santa Claus). While we think of the crescent moon and lanterns when we think of Ramadan, there is no representative symbol. Ramadan is characterised, instead, by exercising the rituals of fasting and dedication to Allah.
3. Ramadan charity: Zakat, one of the five pillars of Islam, makes it mandatory for all able Muslims to donate 2.5 per cent of their total annual wealth to the less fortunate. Helping the needy, deprived and poor is one of the most crucial aspects of Ramadan, so many Muslims prefer to practice zakat in this month, thereby also reaping the greatest spiritual reward from their zakat. Muslims mark the end of Ramadan with a three-day celebration, Eid Al Fitr. During these three days, it is mandatory for fasting Muslims to participate in Zakat Al Fitr, which is the practice of donating food or money to the less privileged - those who cannot afford to indulge in the Eid Al Fitr meal.
4. Ramadan exemptions: While fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, not everyone is required to fast. The sick, the elderly, those who are travelling, pregnant and menstruating women are exempt from fasting. They are, however, required to make up missed fasts at a later date.
5. Ramadan concessions: Should an individual accidentally vomit whilst fasting, their fast is not broken and they do not have to make up for it after the month of Ramadan. However, if the person deliberately vomits for whatever reason, he or she will have to make up for it, as they have broken the fast. Also, if a person who is fasting forgets themselves and samples the iftar meal while cooking it, that's also acceptable; as long as it was not done on purpose.

Source: Yahoo! Maktoob

The legend of the Ramadan cannon

Across the Arab world during Ramadan, the loud boom of a cannon sounds the end of the day’s fast and the beginning of Iftar. This age-old tradition is marked in numerous Muslim countries, from the UAE to Egypt, in an effort to keep history alive. 

There are many versions of how the tradition of the cannon came to be. Legend has it that in 859 (Hijra) or 1455 (Gregorian), the ruler of the time, Khoush Qadam, was gifted a German-made cannon. He wanted to test it one evening and triggered it at sunset on the first day of Ramadan, apparently by accident.

When the people heard the sound they thought that it was a sign that they should end their fast, much to their delight. However, when the cannon was not sounded over the next few days, they urged the sultan to continue the practice. It was his wife, Hajja Fatma, who convinced Khoush Qadam to fire the cannon every day during Ramadan, thus setting a precedent. This is why the cannon is fondly referred to as the Hajja Fatma. 

Another version says that in 287 Hijri or the 10th century, the Fatimid Caliph of Egypt instructed that a cannon be placed at the highest point in the city on the Citadel and fired at sunset during Ramadan. The effect was the same; those who heard it used it as a sign to end the day’s fast.  

The idea then spread across the Middle East to Jerusalem, Damascus and Baghdad in the late 19th century.

In the UAE, the practice began in Sharjah in the 1800s under the rule of Sheikh Sultan Bin Saqr (1803 - 1866), before being introduced in Dubai in the 1900s under the rule of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum (1912-1958). 

Several locations in Dubai are earmarked for the cannon blasts – two in Deira, one in Karama and one in Safa Park. A team of 20 officers handle each of the six British-made cannons, as a crowd gathers to cheer them on.

In Saudi Arabia, the holy city of Mecca is the only  place where this tradition continues.  A cannon perched on a high peak called Jabal Al-Madafea, or Mountain of the Cannon, alerts the faithful to the start and end of the fast.

Source: Yahoo! Maktoob

Reduced Ramadan working hours announced in UAE

The working week in the emirates will be cut down to 36 hours from 48 hours, or 6 hours a day, UAE daily Gulf News reported, citing a Ministry statement. 

The conditions apply to all workers, Muslim and non-Muslim, the report said, adding that employers cannot force workers to work the extra hours. 

Companies flouting the work hours will face hefty penalties and workers are encouraged to report any violations to the Ministry of Labour. 

However, special work shifts can be implemented as required, but employers need to inform employees in advance. 

Employees can work overtime for a maximum of two hours and those who choose to do so have to be compensated accordingly. 

"In case if an employee chooses to work overtime he has to be paid 25 per cent of his basic salary per day for day time and 50 per cent for night time duty," the report said.

Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month in which Muslims abstain from food, drink and other activities from dawn until dusk, is set to begin on July 20 or 21.

Source: Yahoo News