Happy Ramadan [Archive]

Stoned_Rider

23 Sep 2006, 10:23 PM

It's that time of the year again. I'd like to wish all the Muslim users here a happy Ramadan. Ramadan is the holy month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness and whose end is freedom from the fire. It is also the month where I have to FRIGGING PRETEND I'M FASTING FOR 30 FULL DAYS! THAT'S RIGHT, NO FOOD, NO DRINK, NOT EVEN CIGARETTES, FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET EVERY FRIGGING DAY!!!

NO CIGARETTES!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! :banghead:

So, happy Ramadan :)

attila_the_hunny

23 Sep 2006, 10:28 PM

Do you live alone?

demagogic_schizoid

23 Sep 2006, 10:37 PM

LOL in my uni canteen some oriental lad tried to ask for a Halal meal and this white scouse (from Liverpool) dinnerlady ran across the hall screaming at everyone "IT'S HALAL!!!! 'E CAN'T EAT THAT BEFUR SUNDOOOOOOWN!!!!" as if the guy had pulled a gun out.

made me laugh. and what was it doing out if no-one could eat it?

Stoned_Rider

23 Sep 2006, 10:39 PM

Yeah but my family live just around the corner. I'll be at work during the day anyway, but I still have to pretend coz:

1) It is considered extremely rude to eat or smoke near someone who's fasting.

2) Telling my co-workers that I'm not religious is not an option. I have to go along. I know it sounds crazy but people over here tend to judge you by how religious you are. I don't want to risk getting the sack especially since I only recently started the job!

3) A cigarette never tastes good anyway when you smoke and constantly look over your shoulder worrying someone might see you.

:(

I'm moving soon to Marrakech though, it is only a zillion miles away from my hometown, so currently it is my only realistic hope of getting any sort of personal freedom.

demagogic_schizoid

23 Sep 2006, 10:41 PM

where do you work?

BerberElla

23 Sep 2006, 10:42 PM

Stoned_Rider

23 Sep 2006, 10:44 PM

where do you work?

A construction company that does motorways (highways if you're a yank) in various parts in Morocco.

PS - Just to clarify, when I said that people here judge you by how religious you are, I meant EVERYONE not just my co-workers :)

meshou

23 Sep 2006, 11:02 PM

I mentioned I wasn't a Christian at my daycare just before it went out of business. And only because they were sitting around asking about churchgroup activities, and what sort of activities did *I* do.

"I don't go."

"Oh, well, you should try ours!"

"Thank you, I may consider it."

After further prodding, I let slip I was a Buddhist, but thanked them for their concern. They let me know that "worshipping Buddha" was no substitute for the real thing, and then later came at me with helpful pamflets. (http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0016/0016_01.asp) I thanked them for being so helpful.

I'm pretty sure they would have found an excuse to fire me if they weren't closing in three days.

sandwich

25 Sep 2006, 03:02 PM

Ramadan sucks. I wanted to buy groceries last night but the nearest place was closed and I had to walk all around town until I found one that was open. The sun was still out, too, they must have just been doing pre-preparations or something. But dang it, I'm a lazy American who's used to super-grocery stores and driving everywhere, I don't do this walking business.

Just be glad it isn't in the dead of summer this year!

dubbeltop

25 Sep 2006, 03:13 PM

So isn't it time to stop ramadan and start creating a new holiday where you must eat as much as you can for 30 days ......

BTW is there a copyright on the word ramadan?

Nemesis

25 Sep 2006, 03:37 PM

Happy Ramadan, I suppose. Try and make it as happy as possible, maybe? Go see some belly-dancers? Have a big feast every night (and by feast i mean something cheap with lots of fat)?

Nemesis

25 Sep 2006, 03:48 PM

pamflets. (http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0016/0016_01.asp)
:rofl:

Tell me they're protestant and that they conveniently forgot that the Bible also says that Jesus has but one bride, the Roman Catholic Church.

I read that in a pamphlet I was given right after a chain pendant with the Virgin Mary was put around my neck without my consent. I would have said something about being a proud sinning fag, but the people at the booth were two old ladies, and I have a soft spot for old people.

Noc'turnal

25 Sep 2006, 03:53 PM

charred_heart

25 Sep 2006, 03:56 PM

Its, about remembering what starving humans go through, its not just for pleasing Allah. Everyone wants to be a Muslim.that sounds a little strange. I think the reality is that few people understand why anyone would want to be a muslim. It's not surprising considering the mixed messages and what goes on in the name of Islam.

Nemesis

25 Sep 2006, 03:59 PM

Its, about remembering what starving humans go through, its not just for pleasing Allah. Everyone wants to be a Muslim.
I have a question. Why is your sexuality listed as straight :joft:

Madrigal

25 Sep 2006, 04:00 PM

I have to FRIGGING PRETEND I'M FASTING FOR 30 FULL DAYS! THAT'S RIGHT, NO FOOD, NO DRINK, NOT EVEN CIGARETTES, FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET EVERY FRIGGING DAY!!!

NO CIGARETTES!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! :banghead:

So, happy Ramadan :)

Happy Ramadan! :D

charred_heart

25 Sep 2006, 04:12 PM

Here's a nice explanation of why people fast. It's from "The Stand" by Stephen King. I know it's a fiction novel, but it had the best explanation I've read outside of a thesis on the subject.

"...think of yourself as a battery. You really are, you know. Your brain runs on chemically converted electrical current. For that matter, your muscles run on tiny charges, too - a chemical called acetylcholine, so your nerves become poor conductors again. Good thing, too. Otherwise, once you started scratching your nose, you'd never be able to stop. Okay, the point is this: Everything you think, everything you do, it all has to run off the battery. Like the accessories in a car."
They were all listening closely.
"Watching TV, reading books, talking with friends, eating a big dinner... all of it runs off the battery. A normal life - at least in what used to be Western civilisation - was like running a car with power windows, power brakes, power seats, all the goodies. But the more goodies you have, the less the battery can charge. True?"
"Yeah" Ralph said. "Even a big Delco won't ever over-charge when it's sitting in a Cadillac"

people fast to recharge what life has drawn out of them.

MuseedesBeauxArts

25 Sep 2006, 06:07 PM

Well, not to rub it in or anything, but I'm happy it's Ramadan because I'm not fasting BUT I get to go to the kick-ass party at the end. ;)

Ferrus

25 Sep 2006, 06:29 PM

Well, not to rub it in or anything, but I'm happy it's Ramadan because I'm not fasting BUT I get to go to the kick-ass party at the end. ;)
How can a party be "kick ass" minus alcohol?

charred_heart

25 Sep 2006, 06:43 PM

How can a party be "kick ass" minus alcohol?a lot of sugar?

kuranes

25 Sep 2006, 06:52 PM

Well, not to rub it in or anything, but I'm happy it's Ramadan because I'm not fasting BUT I get to go to the kick-ass party at the end. ;)

I didn't think you were in Moslem territory.

Stoned_Rider

25 Sep 2006, 06:59 PM

Update: 15 minutes to go till sunset... I managed to smoke one cigarette in the train station toilet on my way back home.. it felt better than any spliff I ever had :D

Madrigal

25 Sep 2006, 07:26 PM

it felt better than any spliff I ever had :D

You can thank Ramadan for that, then.

Claverhouse

25 Sep 2006, 07:39 PM

BTW is there a copyright on the word ramadan?

No. Any combination of syllables can be used in various languages with different meanings. You are at full liberty to change your name to Allah and insist that to you the word Ramadan means canary droppings, even and especially if you go to live in a muslim country.

Do it now.

Claverhouse :ph34r:

Noc'turnal

25 Sep 2006, 08:23 PM

I have a question. Why is your sexuality listed as straight :joft:

I am straight this is why. That is my best buddy I know it looks abit gay but he is like mu bother.

charred_heart

25 Sep 2006, 08:24 PM

I am straight this is why. That is my best buddy I know it looks abit gay but he is like mu bother.where are you from?

Claverhouse

25 Sep 2006, 08:26 PM

where are you from?

Wherever he says he's from.

Claverhouse :ph34r:

Ferrus

25 Sep 2006, 09:00 PM

a lot of sugar?
True, one's having a diabetic coma is almost as fun as alcohol posioning.

Nemesis

25 Sep 2006, 09:24 PM

I am straight this is why. That is my best buddy I know it looks abit gay but he is like mu bother.
I understand, and I'm not culturally ignorant. I realize that shows of affection between men are not nearly as taboo in the Middle East as they are in, say, the United States. Then again, it wasn't your proximity to your best friend that I was implying makes you look gay.

Huston

26 Sep 2006, 01:51 AM

True, one's having a diabetic coma is almost as fun as alcohol posioning.

Don't forget water intoxication, since you cannot drink water while fasting. Although, this usually occurs in athletes, and I would not know why you would run a marathon while fasting.

Stoned_Rider

26 Sep 2006, 11:18 AM

You can thank Ramadan for that, then.

I guess I can... thank you Ramadan! :wub:

Babysitter

26 Sep 2006, 11:22 AM

Starting early this year? Will it start in August next year? How can you go without water from sunrise to sunset?

Oh, Happy Ramadan, to those celebrating! :)

Noc'turnal

26 Sep 2006, 03:14 PM

where are you from?

I am originally from the suburbs of Islamabad, however I live in the United Kingdom.

Noc'turnal

26 Sep 2006, 03:16 PM

I understand, and I'm not culturally ignorant. I realize that shows of affection between men are not nearly as taboo in the Middle East as they are in, say, the United States. Then again, it wasn't your proximity to your best friend that I was implying makes you look gay.

My hair? maybe! yes the picture of taken in Islamabad when I was in Pakistan. The dress sense is alot more camp there then say in England.

Nemesis

26 Sep 2006, 04:00 PM

My hair? maybe! yes the picture of taken in Islamabad when I was in Pakistan. The dress sense is alot more camp there then say in England.
Just a tad.

Huston

26 Sep 2006, 11:22 PM

Starting early this year? Will it start in August next year? How can you go without water from sunrise to sunset?

Oh, Happy Ramadan, to those celebrating! :)

Yeah.. I wonder why the Islamic lunar year only have 12 months? 13 months would at least make it roughly 364 days.

Stoned_Rider

26 Sep 2006, 11:30 PM

demagogic_schizoid

26 Sep 2006, 11:34 PM

My hair? maybe! yes the picture of taken in Islamabad when I was in Pakistan. The dress sense is alot more camp there then say in England.

Ha! You haven't seen camp until you have been to Vauxhall in London on a Saturday night. Not that I've ever been either, but trust me.

Huston

27 Sep 2006, 12:01 AM

Actually I think it will start beginning of September... I think it goes back a couple of weeks each year..

Edit: An Islamic lunar month is either 29 or 30 days. Multiplying 12 by 29.5 gives 354 days. So yeah it will probably be first couple of weeks of September.

Hmm.. odd I read that a lunar month was roughly 27 days. Now I am trying to remember where I did.

Ah, did some research.. ah the lunar month is 27 point whatever days, but the Islamic Lunar month is based off lunar phase, not lunar orbit... that would explain somethings...

charred_heart

27 Sep 2006, 09:29 PM

How can you go without water from sunrise to sunset?I don't have problems with it because I generally drink a glass of water a day. It's bad I know but I got this habit from my teens where I was fascinated by stories of survival in the desert.

Stoned_Rider

12 Sep 2007, 09:46 PM

Damn, time fucking flies. I remember myself thinking, as Ramadan approached its end last year, that "woo hoo! I won't have to worry about it again for another year!!". Well it's back already :stupid:

Oh god, no. My breakfast, my morning coffee, my morning cigarette, my quick hashish session during lunch time (not to mention lunch itself).. all gone for the next 30 days. GONE!! And I REFUSE to say "Happy Ramadan" this time round :2up:

charred_heart

12 Sep 2007, 09:51 PM

hey, at least everything's open till four in the morning ;)

Stoned_Rider

12 Sep 2007, 09:56 PM

Rub it in some more. I have to get up every day at fucking 7 a.m.
If only I could sleep through the whole day. But no! It's like they want to make absolutely sure that I don't miss any minute of sunshine :2up:

nonperson

12 Sep 2007, 10:05 PM

no substitute for the real thing

I never saw Buddhism as an alternative to Coke...............

charred_heart

12 Sep 2007, 10:36 PM

Rub it in some more. I have to get up every day at fucking 7 a.m. why do you have to get up at 7 am? :blink:

Stoned_Rider

12 Sep 2007, 10:39 PM

why do you have to get up at 7 am? :blink:
To go to work. Yeah, I know in the UAE work starts at like 9 or 9:30 in Ramadan (IIRC), but they are clumsy with Ramadan timings down here.

charred_heart

12 Sep 2007, 10:52 PM

To go to work. Yeah, I know in the UAE work starts at like 9 or 9:30 in Ramadan (IIRC), but they are clumsy with Ramadan timings down here.
my normal working hours start at 9! I'm going tomorrow hoping for a 10 am change! :grin: * fingers crossed *

oh yeah, this was about you. Go to bed !