Food of Ramadan and Other Tips

Food of Ramadan

Traditionally, Muslims end their fasts with water and dates or juice and dates. This is because after a long day of fasting, the body’s blood sugar levels are low and the intake of sugar brings the blood sugar levels to normal.

Full of Goodness

Dates are not only a good and easily digested source of sugar, but they are full of a variety of nutrients:

- Dates are a great source of potassium – which helps muscles work properly, magnesium and manganese – both of which aid in the proper growth and maintenance of bones, copper - which helps in metabolising iron and in red cell formation, dietary fibre – which helps keep the digestive track healthy, folate – which is vital for cell development, vitamin C – which helps strengthen the immune system , B6 – which is important for the nervous system and the break down of proteins and pantothenic acid – which is important for fatty acid metabolism. Research has also shown that dates are effective in preventing abdominal cancer.

Traditional Fare

After ending their fast, Muslims have a normal meal. In the UAE, the traditional iftar food include hares, which is made of wheat, grains and meat, which are slowly cooked on low fire, Machboos, which is a meat and rice dish with special spices and dried lemon and Thareed (or Fareed), which is a meat and vegetable stew with traditional bread (Raqaq).

Just Dessert

One of the most famous Emirati desserts, which is also most commonly eaten in Ramadan is Lukaimat. These are fried dough balls, doused with date syrup.

Popular Drinks

Laban (buttermilk) is one of the most popular Emirati traditional Ramadan drinks. Tamarind juice, Qamar Al Din (dried apricot juice), various spice infused teas and a brad of readymade concentrated juice, which is heavily consumed during Ramadan all over the GCC, are also favorites during the holy month.



Ramadan Entertainment Tents

A large number of restaurants across the UAE create special menus or buffets and many also have special offers on especially for Ramadan. Traditionally adorned iftar and suhour tents are not the same as the charity iftar tents which offer food to people who may not have anywhere else to go. These tents are usually set up by hotels or restaurants and offer lavish iftar buffets, entertainment as well as live Arabic music and gaming consoles, refreshments, shisha and of course, suhour. Ramadan tents usually open at iftar and close sometime before Al Fajr prayer.

Price Control


The UAE’s Ministry of Economy called on retailers to significantly reduce prices of basic commodities by 20 to 50 percent as Ramadan approached, as food prices usually soar weeks before the arrival of the fasting month. Last May, the ministry also announced that around 400 essential products would have fixed prices until the end of the year.

Ramadan Health Tips

- Make sure you get your recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables
- Make sure to drink enough water in the time between iftar and suhour to avoid dehydration
- Try to minimise your sugar intake, so as not to get thirsty
- Avoid spicy food
- Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks such as coffee, cola and tea. Caffeine is a diuretic.
- Eat food containing complex carbohydrates during suhour as they take longer to digest. Legumes, vegetables and pasta are good sources.

Food Wastage:

The Quran states: “O children of Adam , take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, he likes not those who commit excess”. Wasting food is considered sinful and is counterproductive especially during the month, where Muslims try to get especially during the month, where Muslims try to get closer to Allah. During Ramadan 500 tonnes of food gets thrown away by hotels and restaurants in Abu Dhabi alone. One should actively try to reduce the amount of personal leftover food.

Tips on How to Reduce Food Wastage:

• Do not throw away leftover food; pack it and give it to those less fortunate or to the mosque.
• Do not cook more than you or your family needs.
• While at an iftar or suhour buffet, do not pile excess food on your plate that you would not be able to finish.
• If you are going to have a large banquet and might have excess food, contact a charity organisation that collects leftover food from large gatherings and give it to needy family; Hefth Al Ne’ma which is part of the UAE Red Crescent Authority is one.

Source:  Gulf Newspaper

How To Get Busy During Ramadan in Dubai

Companies face the challenge of maintaining output whilst respecting beliefs:

Dubai: Generating high workplace productivity while helping Muslim workers observe the tenets of Ramadan can pose challenges for companies, experts say.

Reduced daily work hours for Muslim workers who are fasting can impact on output for business environments vying in a competitive global market place.

In the UAE, chapter four of the federal Labour Law, article No 65, stipulates that daily work hours will be reduced from eight hours to six hours during Ramadan, when adherents abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset.

"For employers in particular, religious observances such as Ramadan raise two competing interests: business continuity and performance on the one hand and cultural sensitivities on the other," Mandeep Kalsi, of the UAE business law firm Hadef and Partners, said.

"Forward planning will be key to ensure customer demand and business performance is maintained during the month," Kalsi said in a new report for Ramadan.

Pragmatic stance


"For many employers, a primary concern will be the impact of the reduced working hours rule on business performance. Adherence to the Labour Law is, of course, recommended but employers can still — and often do — adopt a pragmatic stance."

The report states that there are unavoidable corporate slowdowns during the fasting month.
"Business throughout the UAE inevitably slows down during Ramadan. Clients and customers who are based overseas, such as in Europe, are unlikely to appreciate this and it is therefore advisable to inform them of this sufficiently in advance of Ramadan."

That said, companies must also respect cultural sensitivities surrounding the month.

Gentler pace

"Out of respect for Islam and the traditions of the UAE, employers should also endeavour to ensure that life in the workplace moves at a gentler pace during Ramadan."

But the notion that Ramadan fasting and reduced work hours means a month-long holiday filled with idleness for Muslims is misplaced, says a top official of a company working to help Arabs boost productivity.
Mohammad Faris, CEO and founder of Productive Muslim, said that history teaches us Ramadan was a time of great achievement and industry.

"If we look into history, we learn that Ramadan was a productive time for the Ummah.

It is in this noble month that many great events occurred in the history of Islam like the victory of faith over disbelief in the Battle of Badr, the conquest of Makkah, Battle of ‘Ayn Jaaloot and other decisive battles," Faris told Gulf News from his Jeddah offices in Saudi Arabia.

"This indicates that there are many lessons of success to draw on from this month in the history of Islamic civilisation. In a similar manner, Ramadan is a time where Muslims must fight their own inner battles to gain victory of becoming better Muslims and more productive in order to have success in this life and the next."
Those who are observing Ramadan must work to dispel stereotypes through personal goals of becoming more productive, he said.

"Unfortunately, Ramadan today is being accused of being an ‘unproductive' month by many Muslim — and non-Muslim — employers working in the Muslim world.

"This misrepresentation of Ramadan is highlighted by the actions of some Muslims who unfortunately use Ramadan as an excuse to be lazy, not get work done, and follow unproductive habits such as staying up all night at cafes and restaurants, thus feeling sleepy during working hours.

Normal shift


"Moreover, some governments and businesses in the Muslim world in their attempt to cater for the needs of the fasting Muslims, reduce the business hours which further emphasises that Ramadan is a ‘time-off' period or ‘reduced workload' period, hence the low productivity output from employees in general."

"Personally, I'm against reducing business hours and find no merit in such measures, since we see many Muslims who live in non-Muslim countries and who work the normal 9-5 shift and are still productive.
"If anything, I personally believe that reducing business hours actually encourages unproductivity."

Fostering a spirit of productivity in workplace:

Dubai: Businesses can help foster a spirit of productivity in the workplace during Ramadan to help workers adhering to a no food-and-drink fasting regimen each day of the month.

And workers can take their own initiatives to usher in a healthier Ramadan that will make them stronger contributors in the workplace.

Mohammad Faris, CEO and founder of Productive Muslim, said he has helped businesses organise training workshops that teach everything from time management to personal productivity to give workers the edge.
"This is very important, as there are many sincere employees who want to work hard and be productive during Ramadan, but do not have the techniques or skills to do so consistently," Faris said.

"Businesses could arrange workshops with Muslim productivity experts to help their employees or they can encourage their employees to sign up to online courses that specialise in this sort of training."

Businesses must also adopt a co-operative approach with workers to ensure that deadlines are met and production does not slip.

‘Zero tolerance'


"Second, businesses need to encourage a resilient mindset among their fasting employees, for example, a mindset that whether it's Ramadan or not Ramadan, work has to get done and employees need to find a way to keep up with the work pace," he said.

"There should be zero tolerance to people who use Ramadan as an excuse for being lazy or unproductive, and signs of unproductivity or people using Ramadan as an excuse for being unproductive should be stamped out or rebuked publicly."

Health officials in the UAE are encouraging workers to take special care of themselves to help combat some of the taxing physical side effects of fasting such as headaches, dehydration and weight gain and insomnia during the hot weather in this Ramadan.

With Ramadan falling in mid-summer this year, days of sunlight are longer, testing the stamina of Muslims who must wait until sunset's iftar to end the fast.

"Ending the fast slowly with light foods such as soup, dates, water and milk and then later eating a balanced meal with moderate portions and plenty of vegetables in the evening followed by a simple morning meal of water, whole grain bread and tea/coffee before beginning the fast will help ensure that most people will eat healthily and enjoy all the benefits of Ramadan," Dr Regina Will, a gastroenterologist and specialist in nutritional medicine at the American Hospital Dubai, said.

Balanced Diet

"Of course, healthy fasting Muslims should moderate their intake of fatty foods and sweets after breaking the fast, but a range of balanced foods is fine. The key is to moderate the amount of food consumed after fasting and maintaining good hydration by consuming enough water, two to three litres per day," Will said.
Another critical element to ensuring top physical condition during Ramadan is getting enough sleep, said another health expert in Dubai.

"Some people sleep through the whole day and then stay awake at night, which is contrary to the meaning of fasting," said Dr Amro Al-Astal, from the Sleep Lab at the American Hospital Dubai. "Because of the long fasting hours and the Taraweeh prayers, which start every night after Isha prayers, we advise fasting Muslims to try to get their total sleep requirement in two sessions.

"The first one after Taraweeh [around 11pm] up to one hour prior to Suhour time [around 3.30am], then no more than one to 1.5 hours of sleep after Suhoor and morning prayers.

"In the afternoon, another one to 1.5 hours of sleep will give a second wind for the upcoming night. It is important that suhour meals should not contain too much fat as this might disturb sleep, and the stomach should not be full before a major sleep period."

TOP TEN TIPS

• To help workers help themselves, Productive Muslim offers a ist for a more productive Ramadan:
• Have sincere intentions and work hard for an ultimate productive Ramadan.
• Plan each day of Ramadan the night before. Choose three important tasks you want to achieve the next day and record them in your diary.
• Never EVER miss Suhour, wake up at least an hour before Fajr and have a filling, balanced meal.
• Start working on your most important tasks right after Fajr and get at least one or two done.
• Try to take an afternoon nap, not more than 20 minutes, either just before or after Dhuhur.
• Plan your Ramadan days (and life) around Salah times, not the other way round.
• Block at least one hour for reciting the Quran each day.
• End your fast with dates and milk or water, go to Maghreb prayers, then come back for a light meal.
• Give lots of ‘physical sadaqah'; get involved in organising community iftars, charity drives, helping orphans etc. Earn rewards working for others.
• Don't miss an opportunity for Dawah. When someone asks you why you're not eating, give them a beautiful explanation of Ramadan and Islam.

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Focus: Gender Equality

They’ve moved into the CEO’s seat, but are women truly equal in the workforce? A survey recently conducted by bayt.com, an online recruitment website, tried to gauge the level of gender equality in the region’s work force. While 68 per cent of women in the Middle East and North African region felt they were treated equal to men at work, 31 per cent felt they received lesser pay.


So, if the attitude towards women in the workforce has apparently changed, why do some women feel it does not reflect on their salaries? This week, Gulf News readers joined a debate on gender equality in the workforce and debated whether there is still some work that needs to be done. Post your thoughts on our Facebook page ‘Gulf News Al Nisr Publishing UAE’ or send them to readers@gulfnews.com.

14:06 GULF NEWS: THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS WOMEN HAS CHANGED BUT THE SALARY HASN’T.

14:07 Fatima Khan: Contrary to popular belief that women are paid less, the bayt.com site brought out some interesting statistics. The Wall Street Journal reported in September last year that the earning power of young single women has surpassed that of their male peers in metropolitan areas around the US, a shift driven by the growing ranks of women who attend colleges and move on to high-earning jobs.

14:07 Mary Mae Villarubia: I think it also depends on your position in the company. Not all are given opportunities.

14:10 Sunil Roy: Women have started playing a major role in organisations across the globe. The disparity in salary is definitely not correct. People should be paid according to what they contribute rather than on who they are.

14:10 Ramachandran Nair: In general, women workers are still considered dependent, hence many of their entitlements are taken away. The concept needs a change here. Ever since women started taking responsibilities and being assigned to responsible positions, massive changes have been evidenced in the overall attitude towards them; which is quite positive and should be encouraged. However, when it comes to salaries and benefits, organisational culture and traditions are some of the factors that still push women back.

14:13 Maha Abidi: Management generally plays a role here. If they are good and do not discriminate between men and women, then all is well.

14:14 GULF NEWS: WORKING WOMEN THINK THEY HAVE LESS CHANCE OF BEING PROMOTED THAN THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS.

14:16 Ramachandran Nair: It is a wrong perception. The modern work atmosphere has changed massively as being promoted is purely based on overall performance supported with one’s dedication and sincerity.
14:18 Mary Mae Villarubia: I don’t think so. If the management knows you deserve to be promoted why would they block the promotion? This is not true. Based on my experience and observations, women are promoted even when their bosses are men.

14:18 Anureet Kaur: I think it depends from situation to situation; as for Dubai I don’t think this is a problem. For example, there are so many Emirati women, like filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja who have been acclaimed for their award-winning movies. They don’t need any promotion; and yet they work.

14:19 Sunil Roy: I feel that this is just a perception. The perception may be due to basic insecurity. Today, it is quite difficult for decision-makers to overlook a person, be it a woman or a man, if their performance is good.

14:21 Mathew Litty: One of the main differences between men and women is that men tend to speak up about their career goals, and women think their performance will speak for itself. The one who usually gets the promotion is the one who wants it most and asks for it.

14:24 GULF NEWS: MOST WOMEN PREFER TO WORK UNDER A FEMALE BOSS.
14:25 Maha Abidi: May be they can communicate well [with a woman] and if they have problems with the work or the environment, it can be sorted out well, too.

14:26 Fatima Khan: Some women feel a certain comfort level under a female boss. It is the same case with men preferring to work under a male boss. However, with changing times people are adjusting to the changes.
14:29 Sunil Roy: I have worked under both men and women. Though the working styles were different the ultimate results were the same. I feel it is the person who makes the difference. To a large extent, it also reflects on how as an employee you live up to the overall organisational goals and objectives .

14:32 GULF NEWS: MOTHERHOOD DOESN’T IMPEDE PERSONAL CAREER GROWTH.

14:35 Mary Mae Villarubia: Motherhood has never been a hurdle, it is in fact a way to help you climb the ladder. Your children are your support and a key to becoming a successful working mum.

14:35 Mathew Litty: We should recognise motherhood as an extremely important job, but it is one that is unfortunately devalued in society. A child’s mother is meant to be the pillar of that child’s progression through life. She is supposed to teach and care for that child and it takes a great deal to be a good mother. These women are educated in a premier university and have made excellent decisions in life that contribute to well thought-out plans for their families.

14:37 Fatima Khan: Motherhood doesn’t necessarily impede personal career growth. Marriage may be a bigger hurdle because one has to adjust with a new environment. However, motherhood just adds joy to the comforts at home.

14:38 Fatima Yousuf: I think if a woman has taken a responsibility to take care of their house and work, she should be able to balance both. Children do need a mother, so women have to equally split the time between work and their personal life, as both are important.

14:39 Mathew Litty: Accepting a woman’s roles and choices, regardless of what those are, is important. The women’s movement was meant to open new doors, not close old traditional ones that may still be extremely important in our society.

Kuwaiti Astronomer Predicts Beginning of Ramadan

DUBAI - A Kuwaiti astronomer has predicted Ramadan will start on August 1 and Eid, the feast that follows the month of fasting will be on August 30, local daily Gulf News reported on Wednesday.

However, most of the Muslim countries decide the lunar month upon sighting the crescent and not on calculations based on astronomy, the paper reported.

"Shaaban, the month that precedes Ramadan, will last 30 days and will end on Sunday July 31. So, Ramadan will start on Monday, August 1. It will last 29 days and will end also on Monday, August 29. We will have Eid on Tuesday August 30," a Kuwaiti newspaper quoted Adel Al Marzouq as saying, Gulf News reported.

During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from food, drink and sensual pleasures from sunrise to sunset and focus on their relationship with God, the report said.

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All That Glitters Is Gold at Gold Souk Dubai

It's not yet the tourist season - or even the wedding season - but the Gold Souk is still bustling with bargain hunters.

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How To Manage Speed on UAE Roads

Adam Kechil, a Dubai-based expert in road safety and former driving examiner, steers us in the right directionf a vehicle crashes at a high speed, the occupants are unlikely to survive. Here are some tips to help drivers manage their speed.

1. Check the speedometer regularly

Modern cars on UAE roads are so powerful and comfortable that they give drivers little sensation of the speed at which they are driving. The result is that many drivers find themselves exceeding the speed limit without realising it.

This is especially true when, for instance, you are driving at 100kph on the highway and abruptly enter a section where you have to reduce your speed to 40kph or 50kph. It may appear that you are moving at snail's pace. But the truth is that 40kph or 50kph is still quite fast and a pedestrian could well lose his or her life if hit at that speed. Also, if the occupants are not using seat belts, it could result in serious injuries, even fatalities.

2. Know the speed limits - don't guess

Many drivers who get speeding tickets complain that they did not know what the speed limits of that particular area were.

3. The speed limit is a maximum, not a target

Speed limits are set as a maximum for particular roads, but circumstances may dictate that it is not safe to drive at that speed when children are playing near or on the road, the road is busy or narrow, parked vehicles have reduced the width of the road, the weather is poor or there are roadworks.

4. Identify what makes you speed

There are many reasons people drive fast, for example, to keep up with other drivers who are speeding, in reaction to a car tailgating them, or listening to loud music. Learning what the ‘trigger' is that makes you speed will make it easier to avoid being pressured into speeding.

5. Give yourself time to reach your destination

Going faster than the speed limit does not mean you will get where you are going sooner. The time it takes to complete a journey is determined by the average speed during the whole journey, rather than the maximum speed achieved during part of it. The faster you drive, the sharper you have to brake, which increases fuel consumption and wear and tear. Result: more expenses.

6. If you must race, do so on a racetrack

If you wish to test your driving skills and at what speed you feel comfortable, try Dubai Autodrome, a place designed for competition. But here again, they will stress the importance of safety and wearing seatbelts!

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