Barbara Walters chats with Forward Syria
Swaying between art and seduction
Discussing monetary policy with the man in charge
Where the earth screams in horror
08/03/2010 - Issue 42
The hot Ramadan season
The timing of the start of the holy month of Ramadan is based on the first crescent moon of the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when the angel Gabriel revealed the first verses of the Koran to the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century. The date advances by about ten days each year.
This year, Ramadan fasting will begin on August 11th, coinciding with peak summer heat.
Hunger and thirst during fasting is always difficult, requiring fasters to exercise patience and diplomacy as tempers fray.
But as temperatures sear to over 45 degrees Celsius, fasters must take extra precautions to abstain.
NGO advisor Osama said while in previous years he has continued to work and fast through Ramadan, this year he will take more time off.
“I always try to limit my exertions during Ramadan, because you aren’t eating, not drinking water, you are low on energy anyway. But this year, with the heat, I will stop working for most of the month,” he said.
“It’s a longer day and you need water if you’re on the move.”
Traditional thirst quenchers include Tamar Hindi—a date-based sugary drink, and Amarreddine—a light apricot juice, sipped between fasts.
Abdel Al-Khourdy said fasting in the heat is more difficult, but ultimately, the challenge is a religious duty.
“It is so hard in the heat, when you’re hungry, with the traffic, everyone is screaming, you can’t get a cab. To cut all the temptations including the temptation to lash out, to control your emotions and find a way to moderate your rage, that’s what Ramadan is about,” he said.
Equally, he said it is difficult to avoid looking at girls wearing less clothing in summer heat. “The girls should help the guys not to look, with what they wear,” he said.
The two faces of Ramadan
The many Ramadan traditions