Living Ramadan

Ramadan ended yesterday on its 30th day in Oman. While most of the Muslim world started celebrating Eid, we were behind a day here for the moon wasn't properly sighted on the night that was to mark the end of Ramadan. It is a joyous occasion to be celebrating. Ramadan -a full month of fasting, abstinence from worldly pleasures and Islamic faith reflections- finally concluded early today. 

My first Ramadan experience was a learning one. It wasn't as strict or severe as I had presupposed. In fact, there was something very calm and equanimous about it. The whole month just saw everybody fasting from sunrise to sunset. At work, me and non-muslim colleagues would eat and drink privately, away from our Muslim co-workers. Any sight of acts of drinking,eating, chewing or even swallowing was not to be shown. We had to be modest in our way of dressing. That meant long sleeves. longskirts/pants covering the ankles. It also applied to the clavicle coverage for women. I didn't stop going to the private beach to swim (the only place one's allowed to wear a bikini in an enclosed environment) but drinking water in public was also a no-no there. And neither was drinking water in your car. Everything that you'd normally be able to do in public like drinking and eating were not allowed during Ramadan. It is part of the culture and I respected that by being mindful at all times.

I took part in a Ramadan Food Collection drive initiated by Art of Living Oman. I invited my colleagues to donate food items such as rice and sugar to be distributed to needy Omani families during Eid. It felt good to partake in sharing one's resources. And to get into the spirit of Ramadan Kareem.

"Ramadan Kareem" means Ramadan is generous. Generosity was certainly seen alive as it was promoted with in various sales all over the country!

One of the most interesting things I liked about Ramadan was the awesome car deals. I was told that it was during this time that car showrooms go crazy with incredible sales. As I had been thinking of buying a brand new car lately I took this opp to take a stroll with my friend Yahya to some car showrooms. It was very exciting to check out Peugot, Mazda, Chevrolet, GM, Ford etc. I didn't know much about cars (although I had owned some second-hands before) but showroom hopping taught me thing or two! One thing I noted was the fledgling customer service skills of some of the sales reps. One guy from Mazda, upon knowing that I wanted to check out the Mazda Ultra6 ( sporty version) asked about my salary and marital status! I mean...was this necessary? I was so turned off that I immediately asked Yahya to leave. What I found the best in customer service (a trait so important to me having been in CS industry for years before becoming a teacher) was The Ford Salesguy. I'll call him Ravi.He was Mr. Ford! He knew his product, elaborating on the engineering and design of the car. He actively engaged me in getting to know Ford Focus Trend ( a sexy roomy hatchback) by explaining all the latest features, global this and global that. On top of that, he also drew up a payment plan for me! All this in one visit! I was so positively overwhelmed that I told him I'd definitely think about it. (Hmmm... Ford Focus- what an inspirational name for a car!)

Iftar buffet meals were the other thing that was so apparent during Ramadan season. Iftar refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast. The newspapers ads on Iftar Buffets -from 5-star hotels to family restaurants- were dizzying! I am not keen on buffets per se as I like a la carte with freshly cooked and piping hot meals, but I did try a couple of these Iftar buffets to get in the spirit. One place we went to was Kargeen, a beautiful Omani restaurant that has a rustic Arabian interior (it boasts the biggest chandelier any restaurant can hold), and where outside you can sit under large tents on benches and cushions covered with Bedu woolen weavings among potted plants, frangipani and bougainville trees.  For only RO. 4.5 (about $CAD15) The buffet servings were outstanding in variety- all of Middle Eastern, European and SE Asian fares. The time we were there it was wall to wall packed! Unbelievable! There was a mad rush to the buffet tables. Interesting! I thought that maybe all that 12-hour fast made them surge with energy to the sumptuous feast that awaited. I could only imagine what it was like in other Iftar buffets all over Muscat!

Naturally the bars were closed. No alcohol consumption anywhere for a month. However, being a member of  Internations (a private online club for expats), we could enjoy some of our western "libations" at least twice in the month. Privately of course, held at some private venue. Actually, it didn't matter to me. As much as I love my ocassional vino, it made no difference whether the bars were open or not. Or whether there was a place to procure drinks. I was fully-stocked at home and was satisfied with occasional glass or two of Cab Sauvs, solo or with Tutti Beiruti. But funny to see fellow Western expats though at such venues. A kind of desperation to drink, if you will. But surely they have had stocked up at home too having maxed out their liquor quota, I presume.

One of the most enjoyable things during Ramadan was listening to the radio (from an FM station based in Salalah, south of Oman) at around 9pm nightly for some Islamic words of wisdom from a venerated Omani Muslim scholar, whom I remembered only by his first name, Khalfan. Every evening I would turn on the radio (car or home) and listen to nuggets of wisdom from this holy man. In English, in good plain simply comprehensible English and language for the common man. He would quote from the Koran, and relate it to contemporary issues such as self-esteem, depression, loneliness as well as global issues like poverty, hunger, domestic violence etc. I loved listening to him talk. He was eloquent, well-versed in the scriptures, compassionate. Apart from being an Islamic scholar, he was also a psychologist and listening to him talk was like listening to one of those Self-Help audiobooks by Dr.Wayne Dyer. His commentaries and shared wisdoms enabled me to get a glimpse of Islam. Not only that, I re-learned the time-honored lessons on love and compassion.  I also had this learning experience from daily articles in the newspaper. Everyday during Ramadan, there was an article about the steadfast faith and the way of life of the Muslims. An illumined soul I have become learning about Islam. I was learning about Allah, His Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) and His people.

Ramadan made me realize the beauty of appreciating Islam. Admittedly, I am new to the whole gig. It has also made me gain the respect for my Muslim brothers and sisters. As a raised - but- nonpractising Catholic Christian, I learned that whether it is Islam, Hinduism or Buddhism (all of which I have experienced living with now), we are all fundamentally the same. We all have the same God, called differently by different names. We all have the same core to our humanity which propels us to live, and that is to love oneself and one another. Love moves the world!

It is beautiful to be here in Oman during Ramadan. A good time to reflect on life, on service and solidarity, on love and compassion. And though Ramadan itself has ended, it also marks the renewal and rebirth of the spirit- of every single Muslim brothers and sisters in the world. And even for non-muslims like myself, I share in the inspiration and rejuvenation. I too felt that I was cleansed for the month, maybe just being around them and the awareness had made me feel this way.

While Eid marks the end of Ramadan, it also heralds the beginning of life anew. It's like Christmas! I am excited to make new observations on Eid this week. One week of Eid holidays and the Sultanate is ablazed!

And so the joyous partying of Eid holidays begins. A huge line-up of festivities abound in the capital city. And I also see the Oman Consumer Exhibit is in full gear (shopping galore!). Most Omanis are back in their villages, for ceremonial cow slaughtering and familial visits. The energy is brand new, fresh and it is riveting! 

 

Eid Mubarak to all!