Ramadan Mubarak! Or Pleased Ramadan! It is a particular time to immerse yourselves in a Muslim nation like Oman. However non-Muslims want to do a little analysis if their travels cross over with the Holy Month. You will need to respect native traditions and legal guidelines when visiting Oman throughout Ramadan.
Having travelled and lived in Oman throughout Ramadan we all know that expectations and legal guidelines aren’t normal throughout the Islamic world. On this put up I’m sharing some particular recommendation about visiting Oman throughout the Holy Month so you realize what to anticipate as a vacationer.
Within the the Sultanate of Oman even non-Muslims we’re anticipated to decorate very conservatively and never eat or drink in public throughout daytime.
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What’s Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month within the Islamic lunar calendar and is thought to be one of many holiest months of the 12 months.
It’s a time for Muslims to give attention to the 5 Pillars of Islam:
- religion in a single God
- prayer
- almsgiving
- fasting
- and pilgrimage to Mecca.
The BBC has plenty of details about Ramadan and there’s some nice sources for youngsters on Twinkl.
You can too discover loads of kids’s story books about Ramadan* on Amazon.
When is Ramadan in Oman?
The dates of the holy month of Ramadan change yearly as a result of the Muslim calendar is inline with the cycles of the moon.
Discover out when Ramadan is this 12 months.
In case you go to Oman simply earlier than Ramadan you’ll discover a way of anticipation.
The retailers are busier as everybody buys of their household’s favorite meals, prepares their houses to obtain visitors and picks out new outfits.
You’ll additionally see flags, lanterns and fairy lights adorning retailers and malls. It’s a giant business occasion in addition to a non secular one.
What’s open in Oman throughout Ramadan?
Most vacationer sights and malls are open throughout Ramadan, even the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat. The one distinction is a few retailers might have decreased hours, and cafes and eating places will likely be closed.
Unbiased and family-run retailers will likely be closed throughout the day and open within the evenings. The exception is Friday when some might stay closed.
Are you able to eat and drink in public throughout Ramadan in Oman?
In response to article 277 of the Omani Penal Code, anybody over the age of 15 discovered consuming or ingesting in a public place throughout Ramadan might be jailed for between 10 days and three months.
This is applicable to Muslims and non-Muslims together with vacationers visiting Oman throughout Ramadan. So your sightseeing will likely be affected should you plan to be out throughout meal occasions or sizzling climate.
Eating places and cafes will likely be closed besides in worldwide motels.
Underneath 15s, anybody who’s ailing, aged or pregnant is exempt from fasting. Ladies who’re menstruating are additionally exempt. However you received’t see these individuals consuming or ingesting in public.
My finest recommendation for consuming and ingesting whereas sightseeing is to be very discrete. Transfer someplace completely out of view, even for a sip of water. In case you are reserving excursions with tour firms converse to them about food and drinks beforehand.
In case you are seen consuming and ingesting the very best case state of affairs is that you’ll trigger offence, which nobody needs to do when travelling to get pleasure from a special tradition. The worst case state of affairs is you would be fined or put in jail, which might additionally put an enormous dampener in your journey.
What about food and drinks on the airport?
We travelled to Egypt throughout Ramadan so discovered what Ramadan meant for food and drinks in Muscat Worldwide Airport and on our Oman Air flights.
As soon as you’re by way of safety the meals shops and responsibility free retailers in Departures in Muscat are open as regular.
Oman Air continued to serve meals and drinks throughout Ramadan. We have been even supplied a meal after taking off from Cairo previous 1am. Throughout daytime passengers are requested if they’re fasting earlier than being supplied something.
In case you are flying with an airline based mostly within the Center East it’s a good suggestion to examine their insurance policies on food and drinks throughout Ramadan.
What must you put on throughout Ramadan in Oman?
In Muscat, you would a minimum of cowl your knees and shoulders and never put on tight clothes throughout Ramadan.
I’ve gone past this since shifting to Oman and usually put on lengthy sleeves, lengthy attire or trousers. So carrying conservative garments throughout Ramadan doesn’t really feel too completely different to the norm.
In areas away from the capital, the place there’s a stronger sense of Omani custom, extra conservative clothes is anticipated. Come ready with lengthy sleeves and ankle size skirts or trousers.
We additionally dressed our youngsters in lengthy leggings and lengthy sleeved tops when going out throughout Ramadan.
Head coverings aren’t needed for girls until you go to a mosque.
What’s it like?
Oman is the primary Muslim nation we have now lived in so we have been excited to expertise Ramadan for the primary time.
Throughout the day all over the place is quite a bit quieter as individuals attempt to preserve their vitality after a meal earlier than daybreak.
Within the afternoon the roads grow to be busier as individuals make the most of shorter and staggered working hours to allow them to return dwelling to interrupt their quick with Iftar – a feast because the solar units.
In case you exit simply earlier than sundown you’ll spot the place individuals are gathering to interrupt their quick.
The roads round the place we dwell in Muscat have been lined with vehicles that had introduced households dressed of their most interesting outfits and platters of meals to share with the family and pals they have been visiting.
Households additionally collect in parks and on the seaside if the climate permits.
Though Ramadan is a month lengthy it flew by for us. In 2023 the Holy Month coincided with the Easter college holidays so we spent a couple of weeks in another country and skilled Ramadan throughout a tour of Egypt.
The place to e-book an Iftar
One thing we didn’t have time for throughout our first Ramadan was to go to an Iftar in Oman.
Motels and eating places lay on enormous buffets the place anybody can e-book a desk. Iftars on the Crown Plaza Muscat* in Qurum and Olivos on the Radisson Blu Lodge* at Al Khuwair and Taybat on the Grand Millennium in Muscat* are all advocate venues.
Can you purchase alcohol in Oman throughout Ramadan?
Alcohol shouldn’t be typically available for purchase in Oman’s retailers or supermarkets at any time. A license is required to go to particular off licenses and these are solely accessible to residents.
Throughout Ramadan these off licenses shut.
It’s nonetheless potential to purchase alcohol on the airport as you arrive in Muscat or Salalah.
When you step exterior the airport it’s only potential to purchase alcohol in worldwide motels and a few might restrict gross sales throughout Ramadan. Examine along with your lodge.
Ultimate ideas on visiting Oman throughout Ramadan
Ramadan shouldn’t cease you travelling to Oman but it surely’s necessary to remember when it’s occurring as it is going to impression your journey.
This isn’t the case in each Muslim nation world wide. We had a special expertise when visiting Egypt with our children to what we noticed day-to-day in Oman. Even throughout the Arabian Peninsular Ramadan performs out in another way for guests.
We have now pals who took a visit to Dubai throughout Ramadan and stated they hardly observed. Solely Muslims dressed conservatively and other people have been consuming and ingesting in public locations.
One thing actually helpful that I purchased earlier than we moved to Oman was the Lonely Planet Oman UAE & Arabian Peninsular* information e-book. In addition to details about issues to do in Oman there’s a great deal of nice tips on customs and traditions.
Have you ever visited a Muslim nation throughout Ramadan? What was your expertise? In case you’re visiting Oman throughout Ramadan or another time then I’d be comfortable to reply your questions. Remark under or drop me an e-mail.
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