CULTURE
The Do’s & Don’ts of Ramadan DO watch what you wear! Avoid anything too revealing like bare arms and short skirts, and keep clothes loose and modest. DO get into the charitable spirit Ramadan is famous for. Whether it’s donating to your favourite charity or giving out water at Iftar, the holy month is the perfect time to give back to the community. DO immerse yourself in the rich cultural traditions of the month. Check out all the Iftars and Sohours about town and enjoy the fabulous atmosphere of the festive season. DO accept any invitations that come your way. Try and make it to any Iftar or Sohour your colleagues or friends invite you to; it’s nice to be a part of their celebrations. DON’T eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public between sunrise and sunset. Although fasting is only compulsory for Muslims, foreigners and non-Muslims should refrain as well at least in public as a sign of respect. Remember you could be penalised if caught! DON’T show affection in public. It’s disrespectful and could get you into trouble. Remember, this is a holy month and one should be considerate. DON’T play music too loudly. As long as it’s not audible to others you wont offend anyone.
Ramadan terms
WATCH OUT FOR Road Rage Be careful going down an hour before sunset as some drivers can go crazy racing on the roads trying to make it home on time for Iftar!
KEEPING FIT We know it’s super hard to get motivated to do any exercise in Ramadan with fasting and all. So here are some training tips to keep your fitness level up to par this month.
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Keep your metabolism going by working out early in the morning or right after breaking your fast. This way you’ll be exercising after a meal and won’t disrupt your body clock.
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Try to keep workouts to a minimum; a good 45 mins is all you need to keep in shape and not lose muscle definition. Why not take up yoga or pilates? Both sports are relaxing and help tone the body, while not being too strenuous after a long day of fasting. Exercise and diet go hand in hand. So don’t overeat at Iftar, we know that it’s hard to resist all those delicious Ramadan dishes but try not to over indulge!
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Stay hydrated! We can’t begin to stress on how important it is to keep well hydrated and how much water one needs to drink just to keep up with the physiological stress that comes with this month.
Whether it’s your first Ramadan here or you’ve have been around for so many you’ve lost track, we’ve put together the important terms you need to know to get around this month.
Iftar. Breaking of the fast at sunset. Sohour. Meal before the dawn rises. Garangao. Celebrated on the 14th of Ramadan, this Gulf tradition involves giving sweets/nuts to children after sunset. Mesahar. Old tradition where the
‘Mesahar’ man goes around waking people before dawn to eat and drink. Ramadan Kareem. Happy Ramadan in Arabic, usually said at beginning of greetings during the holy month. Eid Al Fitr. Feast marking the end of Ramadan.
Opening/Closing times Working hours change for Ramadan, with most government offices working short hours. That also means banks, malls, and supermarkets operate at different times. So be sure to check out timings before you head out the door!
TIME KILLERS The days might seem super long and we know that most shops and malls are closed. But why don’t you combat that lurking boredom by trying out some new activities that you wouldn’t usually do! Learn a new language. Ever wanted to speak in foreign lingo? Well now is the perfect time to pick up on a new language. And why not get into the spirit of Ramadan while you are at it and learn some Arabic? GO: For more info call 4250 175 or check out www.fanar.gov.qa Culture Shock. If you’re a huge arts/culture junkie and don’t get much time to explore the many exhibits around Doha now is the perfect time to do so. Take the free bus between the Mathaf and MIA museums for a fantastic day of art. Go: Find out more about ongoing exhibits at www.mathaf.org.qa & www.mia.org.qa Travel. With lots of hotels having special rates during Ramadan, why not explore the rest of the country and get to see the region with a nice small trip on the weekend? GO: Check out the packages offered at www. regencyholidays.com Charity Work. Now is definitely the perfect time to start giving. Lend a helping hand at one of the local charities or start a collection initiative and bring a whole group of people together to donate to a worthy cause. Go: Check out our charity round pg22-23. FACT JUly
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