Does it move around in the year? We're a week into it right now but I'm sure I remember it being during the football season in the past (El Haimour was affected one season).
Was in Egypt for the start of it last week and we asked the staff at the hotel and I think the start date is different each year. It was annoying though that there was about 10 buses coming into the airport for 6 different flights to the UK and they chose then to take their break to have something to eat which meant it took us nearly 2 hour to get into the departure lounge
Its because the Islamic year is only 354 days against our 365. In a 30 year cycle they have 11 leap years of 355 days. As our friend says, hope that helps.
It's because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. Each month being a full cycle of the lunar phases (29.5 days). There are 12 of these months in a year of the Islamic calendar. Ramadan is the 9th month. Because the Islamic Calendar is only 354 days, Ramadan gets 11 or 12 days earlier every year. That's fine if you live closer to the equator, where the difference in the length of day between summer and winter is very little, but the sun rose at 4.37 today in Barnsley and doesn't set until 9:39. That's a long time to go without food or drink. The further north you go, the worse it gets until you get in to the Arctic circle where then sun doesn't set at all during the summer. Piece of piss in the winter though. The calendar is only really used for religious puproses, so it's a bit like Easter Day which bounces about all over the place. I think Saudi Arabia use it as the official calendar though.
I've discussed this with Muslim colleagues in the past, and I believe that they can use the daylight times in Mecca as the basis for their fast. Obviously working at the South or North pole they couldn't go weeks without food.
Ramadan de der duh do do Ramadan de duh duh do a Ramadan de der duh do do..... All together Lol Wonder how many are about to sing along
I think the "church" will let people off as well if they hand over a wadge of cash - or help out down at the orphanage or something. Ramadam fell at the time of the olympics and world cup world cup and some of the athletes weren't that keen on affecting their chances so did some good work to stop them being excommunicated / thrown to the lions / burning in hell whatever the appropriate punishment is. Anyone know what the punishment is for breaking fast? Is it 2 hail mary's for a glass of water and full blown eternal damnation for an olympic breakfast - or just a hefty telling off in front of the whole congregation from the local Immam for any transgression?
There is also dispensation for medical/health grounds, so pregnant women, diabetics, etc can avoid the fasting if it will affect their health. I think workers can also avoid the fast if they are working shifts, etc and it is not possible to eat at other times of the day.
It's my favourite time of year at work. The queue for the canteen is much smaller at break time. Majority I work with are observing the fast, no idea how they manage it. The ones who aren't doing it are mainly the lads born here, similar age to me or younger. If there's one thing I've noticed about Muslims in my time in Bradford it's that the ones born here are not as devout, some not religious at all really. they class themselves as Muslim, but smoke, drink, don't pray 5 times a day etc. I expect Islam over here to weaken in terms of its practice, once the older generations are gone. Pretty much how Christianity has gone the same way. The modern world in the West.
said I would support a mate this year and do it with her. its ******* horrible and im not sure I can last the weekend out.
