Ramadan: 'Fasting' or 'Feasting' time?

A couple of days ago, I published this post in UAE Community Blog commenting on the way Ramadan is observed in the Gulf! Perhaps nowhere in the world you’ll find fasters frantically fishing for food during these 30 days of the year! A few blogger comments on this are worth reading!

It’s quite a well publicized fact that sales of the food items during this period in the GCC region phenomenally increase – whereas it should have logically decreased. What could be the reason for this?

One of the bloggers points out that “the greatest amount of food wastage (in Gulf countries) also takes place during this month… tonnes of uneaten food is thrown away during the month of Ramadan”.

Food wastage is definitely one of the reasons, which to some extent conformsto one of the characteristics of this region (I commented about this here). Many of the Gulf residents (Arabs / non Arabs alike) seem to take this pious month as a time for celebrating – instead of praying and pardoning – and hence the idea of “Feasting” instead of “Fasting” prevails all over.

However, do all the Muslims see Ramadan alike? I think not! Perhaps this has a lot to do with the feeding psychology of only the residents in the Gulf: “Since I’m fasting, I need to compensate by eating more!” And frankly speaking, I suspect this is also an extension of the general feeling that I observed in KSA - as a resident few years ago: “It is Ramadan… I’m fasting… hence I’m doing a favor by coming out of home and working… and so better don’t mess up with me!” It’s a pity that despite some of the best Islamic scholars residing in this region has not been able to change this attitude!

Interestingly, in many countries of the world, this is not so. Ramadan comes and goes quietly, with its usual fare of late dining joints sprouting in the city, late night community dinners, early morning wait for the final call for breakfast and commencing of the fast! And then of course the culmination of the period of fasting into Eid – definitely a time to celebrate / feast / etc! This is possible most likely because the civil law does not allow a change in schedules because of Ramadan, or restrictions are not imposed on Non-Muslims during this time.

Coming back to fasting, some Islamic scholars believe that one has not really understood the spirit of fasting if on the day of Eid he has gained weight!! Many of my friends really take the time of Ramadan in a different light – a period of abstinence, control and abhorrence from most of the bad habits and ills of daily life! They come out more energetic, composed, controlled and better prepared for the next eleven months!

But is there anybody who matters, listening in this region? I guess not - otherwise Ramadan food sales scene in the Gulf would have been pretty different!

Some useful Ramadan Links:

·Capturing the True Spirit of Ramadan

· The Inner Secrets of Fasting

· The Mysteries of Fasting the Month of Ramadan

· Diet during Ramadan

· Medical Benefits of Ramadan

· Misunderstandings and Violations in Ramadan

· Reaping the benefits of Ramadan

· Ramadan: Reflections on Fasting (Read page 3 within this link)

· Science of Fasting - Medical benefits of fasting and beyond

· Fasting and Feasting

Image Courtesy: http://static.howstuffworks.com

Technorati :Gulf. Ramadan. Fasting. Society. Culture. Behaviour. Psychology