Saleh Fareed

JEDDAH — Many non-Muslims experience the spirit of Ramadan with intentions not to eat, drink or smoke in front of their fasting colleagues and friends, while others try to learn more about the Islamic community and its traditions.



A 32-year-old Joe Benata from Philippines told the Saudi Gazette that he eats early in the morning at his house before leaving to work, he does not drink or eat in front of his Muslim colleagues and if he wants to drink, he uses a private room.



“It is an important practice for Muslims; therefore, we have to respect it. I have been here for 4 years and I am used to it,” he said.



Benata is a Christian and enjoys walking through the busy streets at night in Jeddah. “I really like Ramadan’s atmosphere because the city stays up late and you can do a lot whether you are a Muslim or non-Muslim to enjoy the night in Jeddah. I and my friends go to Balad which really comes alive in Ramadan” he said.



“Life in Jeddah changes during Ramadan and we have to change our eating habits in Ramadan in consideration of the feeling of Muslims around us,” said Elie Karamakan, a Lebanese Christian who works for a local advertising company.



“We are cautious even about the smell. We don’t want to disturb the fasters,” Karamakan said. He added that he works for 7 hours in Ramadan along with others but he does not drink or eat during these hours.



He added: “Believe me I do understand that our Muslim co-workers seem to have low energy, they go through a mood phase, and they seem do not want to take chats or jokes like other times, because of lack of sleep, food and water, and cigarettes for smokers. That is why I do not take it personally. At the same time I try to help them by getting their assignments get done for them.”



A South African nurse Liza Mackanzi, who works for a major hospital in Jeddah. said “I cannot ignore that living in a diverse community such as South Africa has taught me numerous life lessons, such as respecting others' beliefs and religions.”



She said that she respected the way Muslims lived and worshiped especially during Ramadan, where families come together and share a meal at sunset. She thought those who fasted were so disciplined and she wanted to try fasting to understand it more and by way of empathizing with her Muslim colleagues.



She also noted that she is very interested to know more about how Muslims conduct their lives in order to improve her knowledge and relationships with her fellow Muslims.



“Ramadan is good and I often finish my work late at night and It’s not surprising to see so many people outside so late in the evening but I cannot stay that late,” she said.



Maria Santos, a Filipino nurse, agreed with her colleague Liza that it is the right time to know more about Islam and emphasized that the relationship between non-Muslims and Muslims is improving year on year, and Ramadan makes all respect each other.



“I have learned many things from being here during Ramadan such as sharing, mercy and giving and intend to know more,” she said.



She added, “Ramadan’s working hours is shorter than other months which gives us the chance to wait until we get back home to eat and drink in private without hurting the feeling of our fellow Muslims.”