So, it's 09:15...

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Discussion

Chilli

Original Poster:

17,318 posts

237 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
I've been in the office since 08:00. didn't know today was the start of Ramadan. Didn't have any dinner last night as I wasn't feeling to good. Haven't even had a coffee this morning as we had no milk. I'm starving! I'd pay serious cash for a Latte as well.
I guess I could pop home at lunchtime via the shops, but not really in the spirit of things eh?

dxbtiger

4,391 posts

174 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
I am also in serious need of a morning coffee.

Off the booze for Ramadan so went big last night, might go hide in the conference room with a mug!!

Chilli

Original Poster:

17,318 posts

237 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
I hear ya. I skipped dinner last night as I was still hungover from Monday night, and thought I'd throw it all up again!

Shame I missed you in Dubai mate....Let me know next time!

dxbtiger

4,391 posts

174 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
When did we miss each other?

I live here!

Chilli

Original Poster:

17,318 posts

237 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Oh st....thought I was talking to Dunk. Sorry man!

Dunk1982

429 posts

179 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
hehe How hungover is this thread!??

Stocked up on beer last night and plenty of booze in the duty free on the weekend, the 7-11 shop was the only thing open this morning so i was still lucky to be able to get my water and oj, no muslims in the office yet so enjoying my drinks while i can! Got new hours for Ramadan 9-5 so hopefully wont get caught in too much traffic later, the lay in was nice!! smile

I did feel a bit guilty for sliding in under the radar over the weekend Chilli but it was for the girlfriends surprise birthday, hoping to be back in town at the end of next month! biggrin

Chilli

Original Poster:

17,318 posts

237 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Dunk1982 said:
hehe How hungover is this thread!??

Stocked up on beer last night and plenty of booze in the duty free on the weekend, the 7-11 shop was the only thing open this morning so i was still lucky to be able to get my water and oj, no muslims in the office yet so enjoying my drinks while i can! Got new hours for Ramadan 9-5 so hopefully wont get caught in too much traffic later, the lay in was nice!! smile

I did feel a bit guilty for sliding in under the radar over the weekend Chilli but it was for the girlfriends surprise birthday, hoping to be back in town at the end of next month! biggrin
I had a call form our local off-licence yesterday, informing me that they were open as normal during Ramadan....result!

9-5? Pah, we're doing 9-3!
Well, we'll be back from hols on 28th, so let me know when you're in town. Spare room if you need it.

Cheers.

Dunk1982

429 posts

179 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Thanks for the offer mate but already have a hotel included, Holiday inn express in internet city again.

Just looked at the dates and i think i'm there from the 25-27th of sept but its not been confirmed yet so looks like i'll miss you again!

Working 9-3pm as well now! thumbup

Asterix

24,438 posts

229 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Not sure what you mean by the spirit of things.

I always thought that Ramadan was a time for a god fearing Muslim to experience what their poor and needy brothers and sisters go through every day of their life. It is a test, it is part of that personal relationship you should have with your personal beliefs etc...

So... Why do the Gulf states enforce Ramadan? Are the GCC locals that weak that if it isn't punishable they would happily carry on? Not that it matters, they're all in London anyway. Indonesia and Malaysia, 2 places with far larger Muslim populations don't enforce the 'law' of ramadan, neither does India, yet they deal with it just fine.

Can someone help me out with this one - I've been here 7 years and still don't get it. Nor do I get the whole Iftar thing. The thoughts of those less well off seem to go out the window when the sun goes down and then it's see how much food we can eat in a single sitting.

Chilli

Original Poster:

17,318 posts

237 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Asterix said:
Not sure what you mean by the spirit of things.

I always thought that Ramadan was a time for a god fearing Muslim to experience what their poor and needy brothers and sisters go through every day of their life. It is a test, it is part of that personal relationship you should have with your personal beliefs etc...

So... Why do the Gulf states enforce Ramadan? Are the GCC locals that weak that if it isn't punishable they would happily carry on? Not that it matters, they're all in London anyway. Indonesia and Malaysia, 2 places with far larger Muslim populations don't enforce the 'law' of ramadan, neither does India, yet they deal with it just fine.

Can someone help me out with this one - I've been here 7 years and still don't get it. Nor do I get the whole Iftar thing. The thoughts of those less well off seem to go out the window when the sun goes down and then it's see how much food we can eat in a single sitting.
Are you ok today mate?

Chilli

Original Poster:

17,318 posts

237 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Dunk1982 said:
Thanks for the offer mate but already have a hotel included, Holiday inn express in internet city again.

Just looked at the dates and i think i'm there from the 25-27th of sept but its not been confirmed yet so looks like i'll miss you again!

Working 9-3pm as well now! thumbup
August mate....my holiday starts tomorrow!!!

Asterix

24,438 posts

229 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Chilli said:
Asterix said:
Not sure what you mean by the spirit of things.

I always thought that Ramadan was a time for a god fearing Muslim to experience what their poor and needy brothers and sisters go through every day of their life. It is a test, it is part of that personal relationship you should have with your personal beliefs etc...

So... Why do the Gulf states enforce Ramadan? Are the GCC locals that weak that if it isn't punishable they would happily carry on? Not that it matters, they're all in London anyway. Indonesia and Malaysia, 2 places with far larger Muslim populations don't enforce the 'law' of ramadan, neither does India, yet they deal with it just fine.

Can someone help me out with this one - I've been here 7 years and still don't get it. Nor do I get the whole Iftar thing. The thoughts of those less well off seem to go out the window when the sun goes down and then it's see how much food we can eat in a single sitting.
Are you ok today mate?
I'm fine mate - I hold all this enforced religious crap in contempt 365 days a year.

Mattt

16,661 posts

219 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Most of the Muslim guys I knew didn't bother fasting - because the whole thing is a farce, living like a pauper during sunlight then enjoying wasteful excess in the nighttime is just ridiculous.

It's all well and good giving to charity and looking after the poor for a month, but what after that? Do they just wait until Ramadhan 2011?

Oh Nick - I'm sat here with a nice juicy bacon sandwich wink

Dunk1982

429 posts

179 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Mattt said:
Oh Nick - I'm sat here with a nice juicy bacon sandwich wink
Thanks Mattt! frown all smug back home with your bacon, its 12pm in Bahrain and im bloody starving!! Tomorrow i too will be enjoying a bacon sarnie after paying vast amounts of money for the bacon!!!

Chilli, enjoy your holls mate, off to NZ arent you?? Will post on here about sept once i have the booking confirmed by work!!

I dont understand all this holy month stuff either like Eid as well but i have no interest in religion anyway. A couple of days off here and there, shorter working day for a bit and the roads are a little quieter i suppose!?

Chilli

Original Poster:

17,318 posts

237 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Not long till I'm leaving now.

Matt, glad everything is ok. Are you taking that plain, with Red, or real man's brown sauce? Bas'tid.

Mrs C has been shopping today so I'll be sleeping soundly tonight!

Dunk1982

429 posts

179 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
10mins to go, day off tomorrow, long weekend ahead, trouble is the girlfriend goes home on Sat morning frown

Role on christmas.....!

Harris_I

3,228 posts

260 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Mattt said:
Most of the Muslim guys I knew didn't bother fasting - because the whole thing is a farce, living like a pauper during sunlight then enjoying wasteful excess in the nighttime is just ridiculous.

It's all well and good giving to charity and looking after the poor for a month, but what after that? Do they just wait until Ramadhan 2011?

Oh Nick - I'm sat here with a nice juicy bacon sandwich wink
Most of the Muslims I know do fast. They break their fast with a normal size meal and wake up at 4 in the morning to have a simple breakfast, pray and go to work. Most of them work a normal working week instead of skiving off.

Some of them spend the month in charitable projects. One group I know tours labour camps distributing food and eating iftaar with the labourers. These guys are IT professionals, lawyers, bankers and the like.

When Ramadan is over, they don't stop being charitable or self-disciplined. Maybe you just know the wrong Muslims?

Team 17

623 posts

191 months

Wednesday 11th August 2010
quotequote all
Harris_I said:
Mattt said:
Most of the Muslim guys I knew didn't bother fasting - because the whole thing is a farce, living like a pauper during sunlight then enjoying wasteful excess in the nighttime is just ridiculous.

It's all well and good giving to charity and looking after the poor for a month, but what after that? Do they just wait until Ramadhan 2011?

Oh Nick - I'm sat here with a nice juicy bacon sandwich wink
Most of the Muslims I know do fast. They break their fast with a normal size meal and wake up at 4 in the morning to have a simple breakfast, pray and go to work. Most of them work a normal working week instead of skiving off.

Some of them spend the month in charitable projects. One group I know tours labour camps distributing food and eating iftaar with the labourers. These guys are IT professionals, lawyers, bankers and the like.

When Ramadan is over, they don't stop being charitable or self-disciplined. Maybe you just know the wrong Muslims?
+1 yes

joncastle

251 posts

226 months

Thursday 12th August 2010
quotequote all
Harris_I said:
Mattt said:
Most of the Muslim guys I knew didn't bother fasting - because the whole thing is a farce, living like a pauper during sunlight then enjoying wasteful excess in the nighttime is just ridiculous.

It's all well and good giving to charity and looking after the poor for a month, but what after that? Do they just wait until Ramadhan 2011?

Oh Nick - I'm sat here with a nice juicy bacon sandwich wink
Most of the Muslims I know do fast. They break their fast with a normal size meal and wake up at 4 in the morning to have a simple breakfast, pray and go to work. Most of them work a normal working week instead of skiving off.

Some of them spend the month in charitable projects. One group I know tours labour camps distributing food and eating iftaar with the labourers. These guys are IT professionals, lawyers, bankers and the like.

When Ramadan is over, they don't stop being charitable or self-disciplined. Maybe you just know the wrong Muslims?
Seconded. Well said Harris.

Edited by joncastle on Thursday 12th August 06:04

IanUAE

2,930 posts

165 months

Thursday 12th August 2010
quotequote all
Only 4 of us in the office and not one of us is a Muslim no change on the eating and drinking front. Moving house next week, which could be fun, especially as I am moving a 3 bedroom villa worth of furniture...........