Here Comes Ramadan!

Decorations at the mall in Amman

The holy month of Ramadan starts on Thursday and there's great excitement in the Middle East.  Ramadan is a month of fasting from sunup to sundown.  Businesses and offices are open for only a short period of time during the day and restaurants are closed.  Hungry workers rush home early to eat and party most of the night and have breakfast before the sun comes up.  We understand there's a lot of tired cranky people around and not a lot of work gets done. It might be a good time to go to Europe.

Today we saw the following message on the US Embassy website:

"The U.S. Embassy reminds American citizen residents and visitors in Jordan of the upcoming month of Ramadan, scheduled to begin approximately June 17th and lasting roughly thirty days. Local media and news outlets will provide reports on the specific dates.  Per Jordanian law, eating, drinking (including water), smoking, and chewing gum in public are prohibited, regardless of religion.  Announced penalties include fines ranging from 15 – 200 JD per incidence and may include up to one month in prison.

Regardless of changing U.S. laws and attitudes, the U.S. Embassy reminds American citizens residing in or visiting Jordan that they are subject to all Jordanian laws and regulations. . . . The U.S. Embassy cannot get an American out of jail overseas, or provide legal advice.  A list of local attorneys is available at the Embassy’s Web site."

We hope we don't get arrested for chewing gum or drinking water.  Things could get ugly.