The Holy Month

In a couple of days time we enter the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, the Holy Month of Ramadan. Though not confirmed yet it is expected to begin on the Monday 1st of September and run through till the end of September or the first couple of days of October. During this month, Muslims fast and literally do not eat or drink or basically allow anything to pass their lips, everyday from sunrise to sunset. The reason is to teach patience and humility. It is also a month of giving and a focus is on giving to the more needy. When the sun sets, the fast is broken with an Iftar everyday where families and friends gather to eat together.

Over here, everyone is preparing for Ramadan. Marquis are being erected outside the different Sheikhs' palaces for the nightly Iftar, some shops are changing their opening hours, and the working day is different. Officially it is shorter, even for non Muslims.

We are also asked to respect Ramadan and not be seen to be eating, drinking, smoking etc in public.

As I've said before and believe in strongly, wherever you are in the world, you have to respect the local customs and traditions. Ramadan should be an interesting time, witnessing this complete change in the daily life and seeing the discipline of others. From a business perspective, it will be challenging, though I'm sure we'll be putting the hours in and work a full day, some of our clients will be on shorter days and subsequently getting business done will be that little bit tougher, but things don't come to a stand still. In fact, a lot of meetings are held in the evenings when the fast is broken as you have more of a chance of getting peoples attention. let's be honest, who wants to hold a business meeting when both parties have not eaten or drunk anything for hours. I'm can be a miserable sod until I've at least had my morning coffee!

Will keep you posted on how the month goes!