Ramadaan for Non-Muslims in Kuwait

Hello,

Ramadaan is a month of fasting for Muslims all over the world. There are several other activities like prayers, charity etc associated with this month but what dominates conversation at offices is the fasting.

Fasting becomes important as it means giving up on a few of the favorite past times for Kuwaitis. They have to give up smoking, drinking Kahwa (coffee), Tea and eating the several in between snacks that keep them invigorated through normal days for their long sessions of gossip.

How tough is it for Non Muslims?

Not tough at all. The rule says that if you are caught breaking the fast in public you will be liable for a fine of KD 100/= or imprisonment till the end of Ramadaan or both. Every year we hear of some people getting caught but this breaking of the law I believe is more by mistake than by intent.

It is very easy to obey the rules. On general working days we start office at 7:30AM which means that we leave home at 6:45AM. Hardly a time to have breakfast. So mostly we end up taking a break for our breakfast at 9-9:30 AM. We then finish our office at 3:30 PM and are back home at 4 PM for our lunch.

During Ramadaan office starts at 9:30 AM and we start from home at 8:45 AM. As we are in the habit of getting up early and do not have to be awake at 3-3:30 AM like the Muslims do for their prayers, we end up having a leisurely breakfast.

At office between breakfast and end of office we have a few cups of coffee/tea. This is still available in the pantry even during Ramadaan.

Water drinkers have an issue but they keep the airconditioner at as low as possible and you can control your thirst quite easily. People who can not still have the choice of making it into the pantry.

Finally during Ramadaan we get off at 2:30 PM so we are back home for lunch at about 3:00PM that is a good time to have lunch.

As iftar is generally at 6:30 PM it is also OK for the tea break and thenafter we are free to visit restaurants and eat to our belly full anywhere.

So all in all I feel that we actually get into a good eating routine during Ramadaan. No wonder we put on weight during this one month.

Ramadaan is tough for the Muslims as they go without food and water for about 14 hours. They do not sleep properly and are irritable. It is difficult to concentrate on the work and as the refreshments are missing they do not want to talk as well. Finally it affects their hopes of being good and charitable and although they fast, do their prayers and read the koran the basic lesson of Islam for Ramadaan is not followed.

No one remains just and charitable. Your Kuwaiti boss has a tendency to fly off the hook at the slightest pretext and there is anxiety and tension in the office through out the month.

Finally people are happy when it is Eid.