This is not the first time when the Muslims’ Holy Month of Ramadan falls within the tourist season peak. This situation will last for another couple of years. As the non-muslims holiday-makers flow won’t decrease, there is a current practice for tourist agencies to give recommendations on code of conduct with local Muslim population and in public places, which helps escape misconceptions on the basis of cultural and religious diversity. Ukrainian agencies are no exception.
Tourists attending countries mostly populated by muslims during Ramadan must keep in mind that they are expected to follow some fasting rules, too. Even in such tourism-oriented countries as UAE and Indonesia the guests should show good manners in order to avoid irritating and disobliging the local population.
Unusual For Non-Muslims Day-and-Night Rhythm And Local Hospitality
The tourist's attention if drawn first of all to the fact that the business and social activities decrease during daytime. Local inhabitants’ everyday life drifts to evening and night hours. Special Ramadan menu for Muslims is served on the Abab flights.
For non-Muslims Ramadan is not the best time to travel to such countries as UAE, Indonesia, Iran and Saudi Arabia, as all the public eating places are closed during daytime, and it’s prohibited to either eat or drink in the street or any other public place.
The tourists are highly recommended to show respect and refrain from this in public places during the hours of fasting. As for the hotels, their restaurants and cafes maintain usual working hours, so non-muslim tourists can take their ordinary meals schedule.
Still, they have an opportunity to visit local families in their homes instead. Charity is one of the main Ramadan principles, so people often invite neighbours, relatives, poor people and even passers-by (regardless of their faith) to share iftar (evening fast-breaking meal) with them. THere you can taste national food and get a close look on local everyday life, traditions and code of conduct.
Day And Night Contrast
In many Muslim countries you can hardly ever see many people in the streets during daytime; even in large cities like Er-Riad, Dubai, Sharjah, Rabbath, Jakarta. There are but some cares in the streets, multiple stores and shops are closed, the markets are empty.
Working day begins at 9 AM, sometimes 8AM, and lasts until at 2PM maximum. Please note that the banks have the same working hours, too, so if you didn’t do your currency exchange today - the next chance will be only tomorrow morning.
In Saudi Arabia all offices start working several hours later, thi is done in order to give people some time to sleep.
Still, Turkey stands aside: most offices keep regular working hours.
The cities come to life in the thickening twilight. In UAE and Saudi Arabia it’s ordinary routine when the streets are crowded with people and the roads are full of cars forming traffic jams - people are heading for the restaurants to have a tasty meal. At the same time, many others stay at home to have dinner with their families.
As the sunset approaches, customers (mostly men) hurry to the markets to buy products for today’s supper. After the evening prayer people usually see their friends, go for a walk, invite guests for a festive supper.
In many countries the whole families sit down for picnic in the parks.
UAE Recommendations For Non-Muslim Tourists
The UAE authorities have a more sound approach to regulating the non-Muslim tourists behaviour during Ramadan. They developed special Code of Conduct brochures which are distributed at hotels and rest areas. It is illegal to eat, drink, chew a gum or smoke in public during daylight hours (including in your car).
This is allowed only within their hotel rooms of special places.
Only one warning is given in case this rule is violated. You get a $550 fine instead of the second warning and end up in jail for the remainder of the month of Ramadan if caught for the third time.
Generally speaking, this ban doesn’t cause much inconvenience as it’s allowed to eat and drink in guest rooms and hotel restaurants, and it’s not very comfortable in 40C heat in the streets anyway.
The Tourism and Culture Authority of Abu Dhabi is warning that short or tight clothing can attract unwelcome attention and is best avoided. “We do not advise a specific dress code during Ramadan; non-Muslims – both men and women – are asked to dress conservatively whenever they visit,” said Mohammed K Al Dhaheri, the director of strategy and policy at the authority.
This refers in particular to the tourists going for excursions. Ladies are advised to cover their shoulders and legs and give up tight and short clothes in order to avoid undesired attention.
Ramadan in Turkey
Official bodies stick to the regular working hours during Ramadan; most businessmen do the same.
As a rule, stores, shops, restaurants and cafes of Istanbul remain open. However, it’s not the general rule, and everything depends on the owner. Anyway, you have to face up the fact that many shops are closing during the prayer time. The street was overcrowded and noisy just a minute ago - and now turned empty and silent. Don’t worry this will be a surprise, though - you can't fail to hear the call for prayer from the minarets of numerous mosques.
Despite of the usual working hours, please don’t forget that the most of the Turks are Muslims and Ramadan is the Holy Month for them, so please go easy on their feelings. Nobody will judge you for eating in a public place; this is likely to be unnoticed. Nevertheless, the tourist agencies strongly recommend to refrain from drinking alcohol (even low-alcohol beverages) in public, as many people may find that offencive.
You don’t have to worry about your vacation when coming to Turkey during Ramadan. Those who purchased “all-inclusive” won’t feel any difference at all; those, who purchased “breakfast only” might have trouble when seeking for a restaurant to feed them at dinnertime. Some public eating places are closed during daytime, some others are open, but they don't serve tea (the Turks guard against temptation to taste their favourite drink).
It is better that non-Muslim tourists have their dinner before the evening call for prayer, as popular restaurants and cafes are packed full after the call.
