A Decade of Ramadan’s
Today marks the start of my 10th Ramadan in the Middle East (Kuwait specifically). It’s hands down my favorite time of year as long as I’m back in the house before 6pm 😂. For those that don't know what Ramadan is...
Ramadan is a month during which most Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, pray extra prayers, and tend to be extra modest, charitable, devout. At sunset every day, Muslims break the fast with a meal called Iftar - I've been invited to a few, but something has always come up! But let me tell you, nothing here is done small, so I'm sure if you attend you will get a nice experience and tasty foods! After Ramadan is over, there is Eid Al Fatr - to celebrate the end of Ramadan! Loads of Muslims will visit family, buy new clothes, and it is generally a festive time!
So since my first Ramadan, my husband has always fasted and used this time to elevate himself. I've fasted I think 3 out of the 10 years I've been here. It's not required of us, but it's our choice. We always see Ramadan as a good time to change habits, get healthy, and start fresh. While fasting is a choice, eating, drinking, smoking, even chewing gum, vaping...pretty much ingesting anything by mouth IN PUBLIC (this includes your car) is illegal during Ramadan.
"Law no 44 of 1968 dictates punishments under the law for eating or drinking in public in Ramadan. The law states the following punishment:
Punishment up to KD 100 and/or jail for up to one month
i) for anyone who eats/drinks in public during daytime in Ramadan
ii) for anyone who assists anyone to eat/drink in daytime during Ramadan
The punishment is up to one month in jail."
Even with all the warnings, every year there are reports of people arrested for breaking the Ramadan law and ending up with large fines, or even spending the remainder of Ramadan in jail. One of the things I've always expressed is respecting the laws where we live. I've never found it to overwhelming to eat and drink in private.
While Kuwait Law is explicit regarding consumption in public, Islam as a religion does provide exclusions for who should be fasting. Those who are elderly, chronically ill, pregnant, or breastfeeding are NOT REQUIRED to fast, especially if it could negatively affect their health. Obviously babies, toddlers, and young children are not required to fast, but most people are discreet even when allowing their kids to snack. My oldest started following the rules when he was about 10. We always bring water out with us and make use of dressing rooms at malls! Lol.
Speaking of the malls, most places will be closed or have different working hours. Ramadan mornings are my favorite time to to go to the grocery store! It's so quiet cause everybody else is home resting! However I try to stay off the roads if possible starting about 6pm (half-hour-ish before sunset) until about 7:00 - this is when lots of starving people are literally RACING home to get to eat! However best time to go out to eat though is between 7-8pm! We limit these outings however because we hate driving in traffic.
Now it's time for me to get up and get this day going!
Ramadan Mubarak everyone!