Ramadan is here!

Well contrary to popular belief, while Ramadan is a time for fasting and attending prayer, it also seems to be a time for feasting and socialising… as well as the ubiquitous shopping!

One of things we have soon realised is no one really seems to tell you the same story (if you know what I mean). More than one person told us that basically everything would be closing down over Ramadan… or running at very reduced hours. OK, so it may only be a couple of days in, but thus far this seems far from the case!

Everything is still running as usual minus some minimal changes…

• Govt working hours have reduced with most running from 9-1 (or there abouts)
• Some schools have reduced hours (AJA is still running 8-2 which is only 1 hour less than normal)
• Shops are closing for longer during the afternoon but at the same time have extended their hours until later at night
• Because of all the feasting at night, certain things in the hypermarkets are a bit harder to get hold of but that seems to be mainly fruit and vegies (and many things have increased in price a little due to the higher demand)
• There is a lot more traffic on the roads between 12-2, but at the same time the roads are pretty good late afternoon and early evening

I have also read a number of times about the increase in road accidents during Ramadan. I am not sure yet, but I think the reason why the roads are a bit more dangerous really doesn’t have much to do with the fasting but rather is related to schools and businesses all closing around the same time rather than being stagged (as is the norm).

I guess we shall just have to wait and see.