Is Ramadan losing its holiness in Jordan?
Entertainment — By Samer Marzouq on September 24, 2006 at 2:02 amAs far as I know bars, discos, night clubs and liquor stores in Jordan close their doors during the holy month of Ramadan or at least are prevented of selling alcohols; restaurants as well are not allowed to serve food before Iftar time. You feel Ramadan in Jordan and I really like that.
I was reading the newspaper the other day about the mechanism that hotels and restaurants should follow and it was mentioned that bars in 3, 4 & 5 hotels will work regularly during Ramadan. Restaurants will serve food as well but inside the place, they are not allowed to use terrace and outside yards before Iftar, they are also allowed to serve alcohols except of restaurants that are ranked 1 & 2 stars.
Tourism is important and tourists are not supposed to fast with us, but they are in an Islamic country and they should respect the holiness of this month, let them live this feeling with us. There are many ways to solve it; they can eat and drink in their rooms and problem solved, its only one month.
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44 Comments
I’m actually quite happy to hear that news. Although I do fast, I don’t see the point of enforcing fasting and alcohol bans on people who don’t fast and who would rather consume alchol. Eshi bein il wa7ed o rabo, and regardless of whether it’s an Islamic country or not, no one should meddle in people’s personal choices.
I agree with Roba.
It doesn’t eat from the atmosphere of Ramadan if we allowed the tourists to eat and have alcohol in the day time.
One can still feel it by fasting, praying, and going out at night to the places where you can still feel it. There are many.
And no, preventing Tourists from eating in public wont solve the problem. They can just choose not to come again!
Bare in mind Roba that alcohols are forbidden in Islam, not only drinking but selling as well, but as a balancing situation it is allowed to be sold in Islamic countries since many non-Muslims live in these countries.
And Observer no one said to arrest tourists for eating in public, they can simply sense it, a couple of years ago I met a British guy here in Amman and he sensed Ramadan and knew it is not appropriate to eat or drink in public, no one were waiting him at the doors of the plan and told him, he just sensed it asked for more details and behaved accordingly.
I agree with you samer , we are an islamic country and we should respect that and every one comes here should respect that too.
I believe that its a step by step process , ya3ny , this year its allowed in 2 or 3 restaurants and bars , the next ramadan it will increase to 5 .. 10… 20 … then all the restaurants, bars , cafes will serve food and drinks not only inside but also in the outside yards. We are loosing “malame7 elbalad el2eslami” even in the only month that we feel our islam in.
Believe me “Ramadan” is one of the few things that still remind us we are an islamic country , we should respect the holiness of this month.
Thank you Samer .
Foreigners, tourists, investors, and expatriates should not be forced to live-out the Ramadan experience. They should feel just as they would if they were back home. Which means, drinking and eating when they want, and having an alcoholic beverage when they please. If Jordan truly wants to become the business and investment hub in the Middle East, we have to accommodate for people of all walks of life. They should feel at home no matter what month of year it is.
it’s only one month , and no tourists are in jordan in this time of year , and actully the ppl who drink and eat in ramadan before the iftar are mostly muslims and arabs , so this i agree with jazara , it’s getting worse and worse every year , 10 years ago it was forbidden to eat in public and all bars and night clubs are closed during the whole month , and then they changed it to open but JUST after iftar , and now what’s next, we walking around eating in public and others fasting , i mean , if you go and look in any parking , you’ll find like 10 ppl smoking , i mean , com’on give me a break , can’t they wait for iftar and smoke then
i agree with jazara 100%…
Com’on give me a break here, isn’t fasting something you should do for your god, well if someone is not fasting, that’s between him and god, not for anyone to force him to.
And what kind of faith is this, what if you see someone eating or smoking, what you loose faith. what faith is this, if you have such faith, well beilieve me it’s better to drop it then.
“if you go and look in any parking , you’ll find like 10 ppl smoking , i mean , com’on give me a break , can’t they wait for iftar and smoke then”, the answer is NO, they are in some parking place away from people to smoke, so they won’t annoy anyone, could you please respect that in return, they are not fasting, and they are respecting your fasting by going away, and if they waited to smoke after iftar, well that means that they are fasting, which they are not.
?Ala’a , Its not about losing faith , its about respect !
We said nothing about people who dont fast and who smoke in the parkings away from other people , we are talking here about a whole country losing the holiness , the meaning and the feeling of a great month step by step.
Its a matter of time and you will see people smoking every where and eating in restaurants in the outside yards in Ramadan and I can see how far this is from our values and religion! ” ya3ny eza ma bedna nfakker fiha ka deen , nfakker fiha ka akhla2 w qeyam !”
What i know about tourists that they love any thing related to tradition & the country they are visiting, & they respect & like to follow the way that country is living!
I’m sure they don’t mind not having alcohol or such a thing! Cos as Jazarah said they can hav it in their rooms!
When u r visiting a non-Islamic country, they don’t stop serving the ham, although u r a tourist & they should do what you like!
This is the rules here! & who wants to visit us should obey them!
As an ajnabi living and working in a Muslim country – a country I love, a country’s whose society and culture I have the utmost respect and admiration for – the notion that my ability to buy a sandwich pre-Iftar and maybe have a beer after it is somehow transgressing the tenets of another individual’s faith is laughable to the point of absurdity.
And there was I thinking that Ramadan is a time for an individual to contemplate their God, to experience abstinence, to give something of themselves to their faith. No, apparently, its just about not eating… Strong belief system you’ve got there, guys….
Of course, we then hear the “slippery slope” argument; as if the opening of a bar serving (gasp) beer one year is the foretaste of the collapse of civilisation the next…. if that’s the best ammunition against a group of people who don’t practice Islam (around 6% of Arabs are Christian, or thereabouts) being able to something as unremarkable as eat, then it doesn’t seem to be about religion at all, but about a fairly naked intolerance of others.
Ramadan is, and remains, a very spiritual and special time, and that is apparent to the most secular visitor – and me buying a bag of felafel from Abu Jbara on Mecca Street should have absolutely no impact on it for any true Muslim.
7ala, I agree with 100% it’s all about principles and values not food, unfortunately we are losing it, thanks for the comments.
O.J. as I said no one said arrest them, man foreigners, despite what is the purpose of their existence on our lands are certainly welcomed, no one can force them to do something but it would be nice to share feelings and thoughts.
mohammad, what you said is true but this raises other questions on how to solve it. As for smokers I don’t smoke but I know them they would die for a cigarette. As for tourists we do have now, but what if it was summer what is the difference?
aya thank you
Ala’a Ibrahim, I agree with 7ala its all about principles.
rare that’s what I’m talking about, they like to witness any traditional thing; weddings, dances, songs…. And Ramadan is a unique thing in our countries let them live that experience.
Lowfields it won’t affect Muslims and as I said seeing people eating and drinking while others are fasting don’t affect others directly, but it is something Spiritual as you described it, its all about values.
Although Jordan is an Islamic country for the most part, it so remains that it is not 100% …and so I don’t think it’s fair to impose our beliefs on others who don’t share them…when it really comes down to it, people tend to be sensitive regarding such matters…I don’t think a tourist or a non-muslim living in Jordan would enjoy a full meal in the company of a muslim fasting… so what’s the point of imposing such rules!
Well think of it this way; you’re in Italy or any other western country during easter, and you can’t buy/eat meat, chicken, milk etc. for 40 days how would that feel? Forget tourist, many muslims dont even fast! Oh and bare in mind that most people that drink alcohol in jordan are muslims! So let people do whatever they want!
Oh more thing, you get more 7asanat when someone eats/drinks infront of you, no?
This is a very interesting topic of conversation. And, might I add, a worthy one. As a Christian experiencing my first Ramadan living in a country that actually observes it, I was reflecting on just this topic today. I work in a mixed office (about 50/50 from what I can tell). I know that at least 7 of the people who work closest physically to me are fasting. As a result, rather than openly eating and drinking Diet 7 at my desk, I went off to another Christian colleague’s office. I didn’t do this because there was a law, a regulation, or a corporate policy. I did it because I respect the people I work with and wouldn’t want to make their path any harder. But, I didn’t fast, and I don’t plan to. Is there some reason I’m missing that I should fast? Personally, I think its silly that Christians, Buddhists, and others (foreigners or natives) can’t go to a restaurant and have a meal. However, I also think that the restaurant should be staffed by like people who are not fasting and shouldn’t be in the street flaunting the smells and sounds of eating. Realize that while I respect my colleagues greatly, as well as all the others who are fasting in the country, when I go home after work at 2:00, I’ll still be eating lunch. And during work hours, I’ll still be snacking. I just do it discreetly. Perhaps the conversation should surround the motivation to compel others to fast for no religious reason. Regardless, I’ll make you a deal, I’ll fast with you if you fast with me during Lent…
Of course, our fasting is a little different, you can have water, but you don’t get to eat at sundown, so I wouldn’t particularly recommend it. It’s awfully hard to fast when there are no honest beliefs or articles of faith involved. Thanks for the conversation starter. I would hate to see this amazing country lose part of itself. And, if the people here truly believe that a signficant part of the national identity comes from fasting, by all means, let’s hold the line.
Thank you MommaBean for this interesting comment; first you like Diet 7 Up just like me
second you respected others and avoided eating in front of them which is highly appreciated, no one forced you, no laws or obligations asked you to do so, we don’t want Talban to rule again. Maybe what you said about restaurants could be a solution if they decided to work regularly in Ramadan.
Anyway I accept what you are offering, fast with me one day and I will fast with you
Thanks again MommaBean.
Iman, since the majority in Jordan is Muslims that make the whole atmosphere Islamic plus selling/drinking alcohols is forbidden in Islam and it was forbidden to be sold in the past all together not only in Ramadan. The point here is that Islam do impose itself on others.
Samerq, I still believe that Christian fasting is easer than ours, you can still drink water/coffee all the day, plus you can eat vegetables as well, what I mean is that you still have other options than meat/chicken… etc.
About 7asanat, I’m not sure and as I said before many of my colleagues are eating and drinking in front of and yet it doesn’t affect me, again its all about values.
Anyway thank you for presenting this point of view.
though i love the atmosphere of closed restaurants and how things change in ramadan…
i think people can smoke,eat,drink(non-alchoholic drinks)…they’re simple not fasting,and they’r not ashamed of God,so why force them to be ashamed of people?
thats one thing,as for alchohol,bars….whats the point of banning it in ramadan only?….if its really a matter of principle,screw tourism,there are better ways to treat tourists…it should be banned completely.
I agree !
CheeerZ!
In Christmas time, the WHOLE US of A becomes colored with Christmas lights, colors and what not to get in the “Spirit” of the holidays.
If it is to close restaurants and ban alcohol for a single month in the year then what’s the big deal?
Respect the MAJORITY for one month, and do what you like otherwise
It’s just sad to see and hear people talk this way about alcohol and what ever being “OK” since they’re not what Muslim. Well, people travel to get a taste of the culture and this is one of these tastes!
God!
I don’t find it offensive, islam bands alcohol.. but the fact is that muslims are alcoholics..
Well dozz we don’t want new Talban in the Islamic world, all we need is to keep the balanced situation, at least in the Middle East, there are people who like to drink alcohols and no matter what their religion or origin is, its not only tourists.
Dar, thanks and Cheerz!
Qwaider, I agree with you, you can’t go in NYC or any other American city on 11/9 and start dancing and laughing while they are standing for the victims of that day, you have to respect their sadness. Thanks for sharing.
Even though Moey, that’s another problem that needs to be solved.
Well, it feels like one day will come where we will find ourselves fasting in the shadow, and afraid to show in public that we are still do what we believe in when it comes to Islam.
Well Mais, Hajjaj once draw about this before, Abu Mahjoob & Abu Mohammed were eating and a third guy was apologizing from them cause he is fasting
And I believe we are so close to it.
Well, first of all Ramadan Kareem
People? Why there is A RAMADAN? Why do we fast Ramadan? Why do we enjoy Ramadan? & isn’t Alcohol forbidden?
the holiness of this month come form the fact that is marks the day when the holy spirit, Gabriel started transmission of God’s message to the Prophet Mohammad, and according to Isalm this month is dedicated to prayers as & it is believed that it is an occasion to wash one’s sins away and enjoy God’s unlimited mercy, then? we (Muslims & tourists) can share the celebration of this month since it has that all that supreme values, why don’t we let them try our lifestyle at least for one month, when I visit any country i try to eat, drink, use their transpirations to learn about that country habits, culture ..Etc, so they should do the same, do you think that we should let them drink and eat in the public just to let them feel welcomed? You can let them feel welcomed in many other ways… e.g Let them share you Iftar time, where all the families gathered (finally) around one table at the same time, after 11 months of separation.
It’s all about our respect to our religion and its values, not their RESPECT & SHARING
And am against selling Alcohol & not only in RAMDAN ?
I agree with you Enass, Ramadan Kareem
Hala 3ammi, Jeerih titfathal 3l ilftoor
aish 6ab5een
I agree with you, Ramadan Kareem!
Ramadan Kareem Ali
Kunna tabkheen kabsih o bjnbha kufta b67eenih o fatoosh o shorab…
LOL
yumm yumm, yalla sa7taen Enass
Samer, I am a Christian foreigner in Amman who chooses to respect my neighbors by obeying the law in public. We’ve never got into the habit of having a mid-day main meal, so we are cooking and eating alongside our neighbors this year.
This year, I am fasting part of the day the Islamic way. Maybe next year, fully.
I wanted to mention that the pre-Easter fast you mentioned is only one of the many ways we fast as Christians. The primary I fast I use is water only for 36 hours. Before I had children, it was easier to fast for longer periods, 3 or 5 days. The purpose of these fasts was to pray against specific evil happening in the lives or countries of people I love (including Jordan, Palestine and Iraq). For the Iraqi elections, I had wanted to do a three day fast but devote the time to prayer – not easy as a mother. God heard my cry, and I was hospitalized with what was thought to be appendicitis…which allowed me to both fast and pray for the whole time. I found that even the pain helped focus my prayers.
I have many friends who have fasted after Jesus Christ’s model, only water for 40 days. They have come through thinner, but with new ability to hear and obey God’s voice.
The prophet Isaiah has a lovely discourse on fasting in Chapter 58, I think it woudl encourage you.
40 days with water only!!!! And they didn’t die? Well kinzi faith makes a person do impossible things, I guess I have to read more about Christianity.
Thanks kinzi.
Samer, concerning dancing and laughing on 9/11, you certainly could do such a thing. If you were an American citizen, it would be your God-given right. You might risk getting punched in the face by an offended individual, after which you could have said individual arrested and then sued for assault. In the end, you could walk away with a broken nose and a cool million dollars in your pocket.
Exactly Dave, its not a law its a common sense. If you are going to do something that will hurt others or make them feel uncomfortable you should avoid doing it, unless you are a trouble maker.
Anyway thanx for sharing your point of view
Samer… my husband corrected me that one of our friends who fasted 40 days did drink juice, for what it’s worth.
Thank kinzi for the clarification, but still 40 days without food it like impossible to me and I guess to many, those who did it are great.
mar7aba ramadan kareem
first of all rabna el kareem anzal 3alena shahar ramadan 7atta ykon forsa elna la moraja3et el nafs w fate7 bab el tobeh ….Second, we have a 11 months during the year that we don’t make comments and we don’t say anything and we eat we drink we BENFEE3 w ya ma7lana and we don’t say al cohol and bars and night clubs must be closed , SO we come as a strong people and we become to say hada 7aram w hada mo 7aram be be shahar ramadan it’s realy shame on us …. my piont is that we have to be fair in ramadan and other year months … and in ramadan our visitors and poeple are not muslim should respect our religion and traditionals no more no less..
thank you all
Hylooz.eh said:
Ramadan Kareem Hylooz, the thing is I said we need a balancing situation, Alcohols is forbidden in Islam al together but since we have non-Muslims living here let me be sold but not wild open in Ramadan.
Yesterday I was in a cafe in Amman that serves Alcohols and people around me were drinking, to tell you the truth I didn’t feel its Ramadan, I felt it is like any other month.
i disagree with u o.j, i think dubai is the business center nowadays not even in the middle east but also worlwide, they dont serve such things in ramadan. bars, night clubs are closed till the month fimishes. had o dubai ma bti’7la min il sowa7:) fa i dont think it will affect the economy of the country plus its only one month for god sake.