Labor Day for you, Ramadan for me

As America BBQs pork, steak and shell fish, I will be fasting. Now I am not Muslim, but I, like I believe the huge majority of non Muslims in Dubai, will show respect to the tradition. While I am in public between sunrise and sunset I will not, eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, have sex or wear shorts. I think I will have coffee before I go work, but I am going show respect to the rest of the office that are practicing and not drink anything.

Every night there will be iftars. Which are feasts. In Safa Park they fire cannons to mark sunset and the break of the fast. I am told that Hotels and resorts set up huge tents outside for the iftars. I have been told that they are awesome and food is excellent. It should be interesting. It seems that hotels fight for “best tent of the year” status. They are not cheap; the web said some are at $100 for one night. And I know that is out of date. I will explore the cheap and expensive.

Rules and expectations specific to Dubai and the UAE
Companies are required by law to reduce working time by 2 hours per day for all employees, not only Muslims. If employees work longer hours, they should receive overtime pay. Workers can file a complaint at the Ministry of Labour if a company is not following this rule, or not paying overtime for employees who do work longer hours.

It is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours (including in your car). Urban legend has it that you end up in jail for the remainder of the month of Ramadan if caught, however it is more likely that you'll get a lecture from the police and probably a fine.
Sharjah is likely to have harsher penalties for the same offence.

It is respectful and polite to dress more conservatively during Ramadan - shoulders and legs should be covered.

Bars in Dubai are usually still open but patrons will be asked what religion they are and refused entry if they are Muslim. Live and loud music is banned, so is dancing. Bars in Abu Dhabi might be closed. Bars in Ras Al Khaimah stay open. Bars in Sharjah don't exist.

Any alcohol related offences will probably be treated much more severely than outside the month of Ramadan - it is quite possible an offender is stuck in prison until the end of Ramadan.
Car stereos should be turned down - loud music, especially rock or similar music, is disrespectful at least, and if police hear it, they'll have something to say about it.

Traffic jam times change - the morning is not much different but afternoons from 1300-1500 is quite busy, and again just before Iftar as many people are trying to get to a desired location for Iftar. Every year there are numerous accidents and requests from police to drive carefully at the time. For an hour or so just after Iftar, and from 1500 to an hour or so before Iftar, the roads are relatively traffic-free.

http://www.dubaifaqs.com/ramadan-in-dubai.php

I work in an office with a large number of Muslims. There is a prayer room on our floor near the elevator. It is used every day. But there is an addition to the sign on the door that has always been there that asks that you please leave your shoes outside. As I knew already, but it is dramatic to see in writing, men and women do not worship together.

This is a close of of the sign on the door.

Someone have a soft taco for me with pork, chicken, meat, and fish it all at the same time. And oh yea, cover it with cheese and tapatio. Thanks.

BrotherBill

Happy Labor Day.

Remeber that the TV is going ot get really ugly for the next two months. Do your best to listen to your own heart an your own brain. Trust yourself. I have faith in America. I have lost faith in the American Media.