Not being a morning person I try to ease myself gently into each day by making the first port of call a coffee shop, reading the papers and having my caffeine hit.
Not today though.
Ramadan eating/drinking rules are being enforced much more strictly than they were last year.
Last Ramadan the coffee shops in Souk Madinat Jumeirah were all open for business. Like prohibition-era speakeasies they were shuttered off, doors only a tiny bit ajar, customers inside hidden from public view, but they were operating normally.
In Madinat Jumeirah I usually have my coffee in Dome and a couple of days ago they told me that they would operate as last year during Ramadan.
But when we got there this morning they told us 'take away only'.
Dubai Municipality has apparently issued a new directive and are enforcing the no public eating/drinking rule.
Are you having the same problem this year?
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14 comments:
I see cafe's open in Abu Dhabi though... strange !!
I do miss the almost-annual Ramadan ritual!
Restaurants in DIFC are letting people eat behind curtained areas.
You wouldn't want the big money men to miss a meal!
Its very weird - went to see a movie this afternoon, of course we couldn't have popcorn, that's expected. But then we were told there would be no piped music before the movie started. Then they played the ads, followed by the movie.
I know live music is not allowed but why is piped music in a movie theatre not allowed but ads and the movie itself, which had music, ok??
I've always liked this blog and consider it the best in Dubai. I left Dubai just over a year ago after 4 years there, and have not looked back. After a couple wonderful summers in Chiba, Japan, and the rest of the time in southern Ontario, Canada, I am revitalized and almost cringe when seeing pictures of Dubai. Well... ramalamadingdong - I enjoyed a nice coffee at Tim Hortons and drank it outside under a tree (temp was about 27c). Ha ha, I can say anything I want now.
I'm in Istanbul now, there attitude is very simple - "if you are not Muslim what on earth would you even think of fasting for? This is something we do for us and it would be wrong for us to impose our beliefs upon you."
Come to Istanbul - the coffee shops are open and happily serving.
While one might complain about the 'situation' during Ramadan, I don't see any issues. Remember, this is a self-proclaimed Islamic state, yet it is much, much more open and welcoming to other religions and cultures than neighbouring countries in the Middle East. The fact that many restaurants still allow for Home Delivery/Take Away during the day, at this time is something that I'm relatively thankful for.
All they are trying to do is make conditions as friendly as possible for Muslims who choose to fast. Again, since this is an Islamic state, it's important that one respects its culture and religion. As simple as that, the way I see it.
The Man, agreed. And I think we all do because I don't see anyone here complaining.
does seem tighter I was surprised every food outlet/coffee shop (even those out of sight) was shut in Deira City Centre Mall, not how I remember it last year.
At least the shops were open, in Sharjah was shut until 1930.
Keefieboy
"I do miss the almost-annual Ramadan ritual!"
. . . . thats cause u hv never really left dubai. Isnt it?
It's pretty ridiculous that with all the resources available in this day and age most restaurants (specifically food courts in malls) cannot see fit to erect a black screen to enable non-fasting people to eat.
And yeah, I get it, it's a Muslim country. But it's pretty ridiculous how few places are open for food.
Apologies for speaking with my mouth full, but If the concept behind the fast is to experience the hunger and hardship of an impoverished life, then surely those whom consume and enjoy food in public, are - contrary to popular judgment - showing the greatest respect by helping enhance this experience? (zippy)
The Ikea restaurant at Ikea, Festival Centre was closed yesterday (Friday) when we went at 9:30 am. The whole Ikea store was closed too.
Dining out during daylight during Ramadan AND on a Friday morning seems to be a bad idea...
Ramadan is the only thing we have left in Dubai to depict it as a muslim country - if you come to dubai at any other part of the year, you would mistake it for any international city !
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