EXPAT GOGGLES IN UAE

RAMADAN MUBARAK: Congratulations it is Ramadan!

2012-08-01T22:02:00.001+04:00

It has been 2 weeks when Ramadan started this year a day after the astronomical new moon. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is one of the most important months for Muslims as it is believed this is the month that the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

During this month all healthy Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset when they must refrain from all food, drink, gum chewing, any kind of tobacco use, and any kind of intimacy. Fasting includes the increased offering of salat prayers and recitation of the Quran during the day time. Most Muslims will tend to wake up just before sunrise to eat a meal or some food and this is known as Suhoor. They will then not be able to eat or drink again until sunset when it is traditional to open the fast with a date and then eat and this meal is known as Iftar.

People who are physically or mentally unwell are exempt, as are people who are travelling, women who are pregnant, who are menstruating and children under twelve. If the fast is missed they should try to make up the fast at a later date, or make a donation to the poor instead.

Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam which all Muslims are expected to follow, the other four are Faith (Shahadah); Prayer (Salah), Charitable Giving (Zakah), and the Pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj) in Saudi Arabia.

In some Muslim countries today lights are strung up in public squares, and across city streets, to add to the festivities of the month. Lanterns have become symbolic decorations welcoming the month of Ramadan. In a growing number of countries, like Egypt, they are hung on city streets to light mosques and houses throughout the capital city of Cairo. Shopping malls, places of business and people's homes can be seen with stars and crescents, as well as, various lighting effects, as well. This time could be seen like Christmas celebration traditions as parents try to make Ramadan a more enjoyable time for their children who are too young to fast and understand the spiritual significance of the holy month.

During Ramadan there are something different:

Some businesses change their opening hours.

Some shops may close in the afternoon (1pm onwards) but most also stay open until late.

There is no live music allowed during Ramadan and of course no alcohol served during daylight. Bars and restaurants open in the evening though with light background music.

Rush hour time changes from 6:00 pm to 2:00pm as most offices close at that time.

There are restaurants and cafes that have a special license open during the day for non- fasters and these will be screened off from public view so it is still possible to eat outside your home. Most hotels have an outlet open during the day too.

Most offices will implement an area for eating and drinking. Don’t have coffee or water at your desk as it may disturb your colleagues.

Your car is classed as a public place so definitely no smoking in there.

You can also use restrooms in malls to take a drink.

The roads tend to become a little faster than normal just before Iftar time as people are rushing home to break their fast - take care or avoid driving at this time.

Some important recomendations: Do not eat, drink or smoke in public, dress more modestly, take care to cover the shoulders, knees and chest area, don’t play loud music in your home or car and no public displays of affection.

RAMADAN KAREEM: GENEROUS RAMADAN FOR EVERY BODY!

Happy Norouz: Iranian New Year

2012-03-19T22:44:00.000+04:00

Norouz , Iranian New Year
Year of 2571 (1391)

In harmony with rebirth of nature, the Persian New Year Celebration, or Norouz, always begins on the first day of spring, March 20th of each year. Norouz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient concepts - the End and Rebirth. About 3000 years ago Persian's major religion was Zoroastrianism, named in honor of its founder Zoroaster, and arguably the world's first monotheistic religion. Zoroastrians had a festival called "Farvardgan" which lasted ten days, and took place at the end of the solar year. It appears that this was a festival of sorrow and mourning, signifying the end of life while the festival of Norouz, at the beginning of spring signified rebirth, and was a time of great joy and celebration.

Norouz was officially acknowledged and named "Norouz" by mythical Persian emperor, Shah Jamshid, from Achaemenid Dynasty (500 BC). Ashaemenied created the first major empire in the region and built Persepolis complex (Takhte Jamshid) in the city of Shiraz.

Norouz in Persian means "New Day" and brings hope, peace and prosperity to the world and has been celebrated among people regardless of ethnic background, political views or religion in many countries around the globe such as Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Georgia, Iraq, Tajikistan, Syria ,Armenia and India. Some of the activities during Norouz are spring cleaning, buying new cloths, painting eggs, family reunion, giving presents, visiting neighbors and friends and celebrating by having a picnic on the 13th day of spring.

Norouz Customs

In harmony with the rebirth of nature, the Iranian New Year Celebration, or NOROUZ, always begins on the first day of spring. Norouz ceremonies are symbolic representations of two ancient concepts - the End and the Rebirth; or Good and Evil. A few weeks before the New Year, Iranians clean and rearrange their homes and will prepare the “haft sin” tables. They make new clothes, bake pastries and germinate seeds as sign of renewal (Sabzeh).

Haft Sīn

See Haft sin table

Haft Sīn (هفت سین) or the seven 'S's is a major tradition of Norouz. The haft sin table includes seven specific items starting with the letter 'S' or Sīn (س) in Persian alphabet). The items symbolically correspond to seven creations and holy immortals protecting them. The Haft Sin has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families attempt to set as beautiful a Haft Sīn table as they can, as it is not only of traditional and spiritual value, but also noticed by visitors during Norouzi visitations and is a reflection of their good taste.

Haft sin table

The Haft Sīn items are:

sabzeh - wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth
samanu - a sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence & also for sweetness of life
senjed - the dried fruit of the oleaster tree or dried fruit of Lotus tree - symbolizing love
sīr - garlic - symbolizing medicine & health
sīb - apples - symbolizing beauty and health
somaq - sumac berries - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise & also showing of warmth
serkeh - vinegar - symbolizing age and patience

Sumac Fruit

Other items on the table may include:

Sonbol - Hyacinth (plant)

Sekkeh - Coins - representative of prosperity and wealth
Traditional Iranian pastries such as baghlava, toot, naan-nokhodchi
Aajeel - dried nuts, berries and raisins

lit candles (enlightenment and happiness)

a mirror (symbolizing cleanness and honesty and also showing the reflection of life)
decorated eggs, sometimes one for each member of the family, symbolizing of the fertility

a bowl of water with goldfish (life within life, and the sign of Pisces which the sun is leaving)

rosewater, believed to have magical cleansing powers
the national colours, for a patriotic touch
a holy book (e.g., the Avesta, Qur'an, Bible, Torah, or Kitáb-i-Aqdas) and/or a poetry book (almost always either the Shahnama or the Divan of Hafez)

New Year dishes

Sabzi Polo Mahi: The New Year's day traditional meal is called Sabzi Polo Mahi, which is rice with green herbs served with fish. The traditional seasonings for Sabzi Polo are parsley, coriander, chives, dill and fenugreek.
Reshteh Polo: rice cooked with noodles which is said to symbolically help one succeed in life.
Dolme Barg: A traditional dish of Azeri people, cooked just before the New Year. It includes some vegetables, meat and cotyledon which have been cooked and embedded in vine leaf and cooked again. It is considered useful in reaching to wishes.
Kookoo sabzi: Herbs and vegetable souffle, traditionally served for dinner at New Year. A light and fluffy omelet style made from parsley, dill, coriander, spinach, spring onion ends, and chives, mixed with eggs and walnut.

More about Sabzi Polo

Sabzi polo (Persian: سبزی پلو) is an Iranian (Persian) dish of rice and chopped herbs, and is usually served with fish. In Persian, sabz means green, and sabzi can refer to herbs or vegetables. Polo is a style of cooked rice, known in English as pilaf.

The herbs used in sabzi polo vary, but typically include coriander, dill, chives or scallions, fenugreek, andparsley.

Iranians traditionally eat sabzi polo"with white fish" for lunch on Norouz, the Iranian New Year, with their family and relatives.

Happy Norouz!

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS: DIWALI

2011-10-31T16:44:00.000+04:00

I am celebrating my first Diwali in Dubai with new friends and neighbors and I would like to share it with all of you.

For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. It is an official holiday in India, SriLanca, Nepal,Myanmar, Mauritius, Guayana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.

Diwali (also spelled Devali in certain regions) or Deepavali, popularly known as the "festival of lights", is celebrated between mid-October and mid-November for different reasons. It celebrates the victory of good over evil. The name "Diwali" is a contraction of "Deepavali" which means "row of lamps". During this occasion “deeps” or “diyas” are filled with oil and lit up in the hope of inviting wealth and prosperity into the house.

Rangoli design

Home to more than a million Indian expatriates (approximately 40 per cent of the total population); Diwali is celebrated throughout the UAE with its own simple charm and vibrant flair. Lights hand outside homes and building balconies where Indians reside, as colorful rangoli design invitingly welcome guests inside the house.

The most famous Indian Celebration, Diwali is similar in spirit and magnitude to both Eid and Christmas. It´s time to offer prayers, an occasion to wear new clothes, get together with loved ones, exchange gifts, share splendid meals and end the celebration by bursting firecrackers.

Diwali is time to be together with family, friends and new people. Preparations for the festival start several days in advance with vigorous spring cleaning. A clean, clutter-free environment facilitates the flow of positive energies into the house. It is a celebration Indians wait for all year long. Families also spend considerably on hosting lavish dinner parties as Diwali celebrations inevitably centre around food, Chocolates, sweets, dry fruits and an array of mouth-watering delicacies are prepared exclusively for this festive occasion. Indians go to friends to wish them and come home to a sumptuous Diwali lunch and then in the evening after prayers, there is more food and more sweets.

Exchanging sweets and savories is part of Diwali celebrations. Sweets are to Diwali as a decorated tree is to Christmas. Monthly production in UAE increases 100 per cent in the few days leading up to Diwali. Shops across the city stock up on endless supplies of diyas (earthen lamps), sparklers, candles and Diwali accessories. It´s a busy time for traders and shoppers alike and they offer from clothes, flowers to jewellery and sweets. Buying valuable items such as gold and silver is encouraged among the Indian community especially during Diwali. It is considered auspicious and seen as an investment. In Dubai, expatriate Indians save months in

advance for this day. Also it is time for buying something new for their home.

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Estoy celebrando mi primer “Diwali” ó Festival de las Luces en Dubái con nuevos amigos & vecinos y quiero compartirlo con todos ustedes.

Para los Hindús es uno de los festivales más importantes del año y es celebrado en familia, realizando actividades tradicionales en sus hogares. Es un día festivo oficial en India, Nepal, Sir Lanka, Myanmar, Mauricio, Guayana, Trinidad & Tobago, Surinam, Malasia, Singapur.

“Diwali” (también se escribe con Devali en algunas regiones) or “Deepavali”, es popularmente conocido como el Festival de las luces y se celebra entre mediados de Octubre y mediados de Noviembre por diferentes razones. Celebra la victoria del bien sobre el mal. La palabra Diwali is la contracción de Deepavali, que significa fila de lámparas. Durante esta celebración miles de lámparas (deeps and diyas en hindú) son llenadas con aceite y encendidas con el deseo de invitar a que la riqueza y prosperidad entre a la casa.

Siendo la casa de más de un millón de hindús expatriados (aproximadamente 40% del total de la población), "Diwali" es celebrado a lo largo de Emiratos Árabes Unidos con encanto y vibrante estilo. Luces decoran los hogares y balcones de las edificios donde hindús residen, formando diseños “rangoli” que incitan a los invitados a entrar a sus casas.

“Diwali” es tiempo de compartir en familia, amigos de siempre y hacer nuevos amigos. Similar en espíritu y magnitud al "Eid" (celebración y festividad para los musulmanes) y la Navidad (celebración y festividad para los cristianos). Es tiempo de ofrecer oraciones, una ocasión para estrenar nuevos vestidos, reunirse con los seres queridos, intercambiar regalos, compartir esplendidas comidas y terminar la celebración con fuegos artificiales. La preparación para este festival comienza con varios días de anticipación con una rigorosa limpieza de la casa, la cual facilita el flujo de energías positivas en ella.

Es una celebración que los hindús esperan todo el año, igualmente las familias gastan considerables cantidades ofreciendo abundantes comidas de festejo, debido a que la celebración de “Diwali” gira alrededor de comida, chocolates, dulces, frutos secos y una variedad de delicatesen preparados exclusivamente para la ocasión. Es un día que se pasa entre ir a las casas de familiares y amigos a desearles feliz "diwali", compartir suntuosos almuerzos, rezos, más comidas y dulces.

Intercambiar dulces y sabrosuras es parte de la celebración de “Diwali”. Los dulces son una costumbre como la decoración de los árboles de navidad. Es así como la producción mensual en Emiratos incrementa 100 por ciento en los días anteriores al “Diwali”.

Las tiendas a lo largo de la ciudad ofrecen numerosas lamparitas (“diyas”), vibrantes candelabros y accesorios para el “Diwali”. Es una temporada alta para el comercio que ofrece ropa, flores, joyas y dulces. Comprar valiosas piezas de oro y plata es una tradición estimulada en la comunidad hindú durante estas fiestas y es considerado de buen augurio al igual que una inversión. En Dubái, los expatriados hindús ahorran meses en anticipado para estas estos días. Igualmente es un tiempo para comprar algo nuevo para la casa.