Should pregnant women fast in Ramadan?

Should pregnant women fast in Ramadan?
By Mona Rahman
The holy month of Ramadan may bring new challenges for pregnant women as they encounter a period of acute difficulty. According to the Islamic perspective, there is no obligation on pregnant women to fast in Ramadan. They can opt not to and make up the days missed later. However, if a woman is able and willing to fast - providing there is no harm to her unborn child - then she can do so. From a purely medical perspective, doctors and health specialists believe that fasting offers physical benefits as it keeps body in a perfect state while helping to burn out unnecessary fats and additional calories. Therefore, if a woman is healthy and there are no such complications, she can adhere to her daily routine of fasting.In an interview with Saudi Gazette, Dr. Sumaiya Banu, a consultant gynecologist at Badr-As-Samah Clinic in Jeddah mirrored this opinion. “Fasting does not cause any problems to a child who is in the development stage of its growth and is not affected by the fast,” she said. “It all depends on how much the pregnant woman can endure; some can even fast the whole month.” She added that those women who do plan on fasting, however, should consult their doctor before embarking as the doctor will review her general and obstetric health before approving.“It is imperative that you consult your doctor as the doctor will monitor the growth of the baby, your weight, and only then give the green signal for fasting, considering there aren’t any complications,” she explained.Another issue she highlighted was women in their first trimester (first three month of pregnancy) might find fasting much harder, as they will be dealing with morning sickness: nausea and excessive vomiting. “Such women can fast on alternate days - if they are not suffering from any complications - or whenever they feel up to it. In this way, they will feel healthier and more refreshed,” she remarked.The issue of fasting also needs to consider the pregnant woman’s built. Dr. Banu advised those women who have a slender built to not fast, as well as those who have high blood pressures, low levels of hemoglobin and suffer from epilepsy. The list also includes those who require regular medication, like insulin and vitamin injections. Pregnant women must also be aware of the risks of dehydration, which can lead to urinary tract infections, so they need to drink enough water. Dr. Banu advises the consumption of at least 2.5 liters of water to detoxify the digestive system and organs. Oily and spicy food must be avoided, like in normal days, as well as gram flour delicacies that are a regular feature at Iftars in Asian homes.In those cases where there is a risk or possibility of premature labor, twin babies and severe morning sickness, fasting should be avoided altogether. However, any fasting woman who experiences symptoms like dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, burning in the urinary tract or sever vomiting, should break her fast immediately and consult her doctor, advised Dr. Banu. - SG

Traditional Ramadan, international cuisine

Traditional Ramadan, international cuisine
By Mona Rahman

It’s the second half of Ramadan and by now, most women have fed their families home-cooked and traditional food to last the whole year. As a result, many families are now opting to eat out more for Iftars, particularly in restaurants that are serving a diverse range of international cuisines, accompanied by the traditional accompaniment of Arabic coffee, dates and laban. “It’s time to pay tribute to Saudi society without losing our own identity,” remarked Joerg Wickihalder, the manager of an Italian restaurant in Jeddah in an interview with Saudi Gazette. “We respect the month of Ramadan so we serve our Muslim brothers traditional food items and then the different courses of a traditional Italian meal.Italian cuisine is a great hit amongst Saudis and expatriates alike with pasta and lasagne providing a formidable alternative to the mighty sambusa. Another timeless favorite is Chinese food and a sign of its popularity is the established trend in most homes to regularly prepare and eat vegetable and chicken spring rolls for Iftar. China’s rich heritage of food means, however, that there is much more for foodies to explore during Ramadan. Most restaurants offer Iftar buffets that provide a comprehensive range of dishes. Meraj is the manager of one such restaurant in Jeddah and he told Saudi Gazette that since buffets are time-consuming affairs in general, his restaurant offers visitors the chance to order dishes prior to visiting the restaurant, so that there are no delays and lengthy waiting periods.Offering Spanish and Japanese dishes alongside Chinese ones, Meraj added that “the most common dishes are tempura, teriyaki, compu chee and dried chili garlic chicken.” A number of restaurants in the Kingdom go even further and provide a host of international cuisine during Ramadan. One Pakistani restaurant in Jeddah, for instance, includes Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Arabic as well as Continental food in its Iftar buffet.“We also serve in Suhoor with typical scrambled eggs, omelets and parathas to people from the subcontinent, while Saudi customers prefer rice and meat specialities,” remarked the manager of the restaurant.For those looking for traditional Arab cuisine, there are too many choices to make a quick decision. The manager of a Lebanese restaurant in Riyadh, Yousef Nemer, told Saudi Gazette that his restaurant prepares, prints and distributes its menu in advance to potential customers and that the popular restaurant normally offers a different menu each day.“We offer tuut juice, which is basically raspberry juice and the Iftar seems incomplete without this juice, qahwa and soup,” he said. This eating out trend is as big a hit with tired mothers as it is with the rest of the family, providing a much-needed change to the taste buds. Five star hotels take the whole thing to the next level and celebrate Ramadan with decorations and not just cuisine. An essentially ‘Ramadan’ theme prevails and lobbies, ballrooms and dining areas are all tastefully decorated in a beautiful manner and keeping Islamic traditions in mind. One hotel in Jeddah, for instance, has chosen the heritage of Jandariyah as its theme for this year’s Ramadan, and everything - from the tablecloth to the food - reflects this theme. Another hotel has derived inspiration from old Damascus and “Bab Al-Hara.” - SG

Towards an Islamic lifestyle

Towards an Islamic lifestyle
By Mona Rahman

Ye Ruan and Han Xu two Chinese expats in Jeddah will soon embrace Islam. “I love Islam, its traditions and the ensuing culture,” said Xu, who now likes to be called Imear and studied Arabic before coming to the Kingdom.“Learning Arabic in Beijing helped me to better understand Islamic culture, history and the faith itself,” he said.As for Ruan, he has just begun reading the Holy Qur’an in translation, and said that he makes an effort to regularly be able to do so.“My Muslim friends here have provided me with ample support and they are teaching me to read the Holy Qur’an. Saudis have a strong desire to help people,” he added.Ruan and Xu have been working as managers for almost a year and a half now in a consumer electronics manufacturing company in Jeddah. “We are enjoying our stay here. When our company decided to transfer us here, we thought it was a good opportunity as the people here are warm-hearted, kind and cooperative,” said Ruan, adding that the city is a good place to live especially when living with one’s family.He said life is easier in the Kingdom as compared to his home country, “but we have limited activities here after work. For example, we used to frequently dine out in China or go to a movie. That is not the case here”.Last Ramadan, Xu and Ruan fasted for seven days. “It was an attempt to acquaint ourselves with one of the five pillars of Islam. The fasting filled us with positive energy thereby reducing negativities and desires. Insh’Allah I intend to fast for two weeks this time,” said Xu.Ruan and Han Xu have a profound liking for Arabic cuisine.“The traditional mandi, kabsa, and laham kebabs, along with the South Asian dishes, particularly the chicken curry, are our favorite foods here. Plus, like every Saudi and expat, we too relish broast,” said Ruan.Xu said that the new expats in the Kingdom, particularly the Chinese, “will take time to adjust here but will gradually learn to love Arabian culture”.“We Chinese are a hardworking and optimistic people, and the Saudi government should create more opportunities for the Chinese to work in the Kingdom,” said Ruan. – SG

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009090649013

Get to your feet for a healthy Ramadan

Get to your feet for a healthy Ramadan
By Mona Rahman

Thanks to awareness about the health risks associated with not doing any exercise, many people have now either joined a gym, bought a treadmill or booked aerobic, yoga and other classes to stay fit. Some people have made a pronounced lifestyle change by ensuring at least a half hour of exercise every day. What happens to these same people during Ramadan?Much has been written about the adoption of unhealthy eating habits during Ramadan, but another important issue is why people simply stop exercising during Ramadan, particularly when heavy Iftars and over-eating on social occasions is a given. “Ramadan is one of the best times to lose weight but Saudis and expatriates both adopt unhealthy habits, due in part to a lack of awareness about sport and physical activities,” remarked Mohammed Barnawi, a physical education instructor and Dietician, in an interview with Saudi Gazette. “Continuing an exercise regime in Ramadan is a strong means to maintain health and balance, but people are less willing to do any physical activity during Ramadan, so they pack on the kilos.”Exercise, is therefore a must during Ramadan, but it is also important to keep the workout on a low profile while fasting. Undertaking a strenuous exercise regime can cause health problems like headaches, vomiting, dehydration and dizziness.It doesn’t make sense to start pounding on the treadmill, for instance. “One can lift weights while fasting, and another option is skipping rope, which is an effective form of cardiovascular exercise,” said Dr. Barnawi. “It is also great at burning fat, increasing stamina and coordination, as well as the firming muscles in the shoulders and limbs.” The most convenient form of exercise, however, is to go for a 30-minute walk. When is the ideal time for working out during the day in Ramadan? Just after Suhoor or two hours before Iftar are both good times for working out during the fast, according to Dr. Barnawi. “Exercising two hours before Iftar is the best technique as it restores energy in the body,” he explained. “If someone opts to work out in the morning, then eating a late and substantial Suhoor is advised.”Working out after Iftar is also possible, for those unwilling or unable to exercise during their fast. “Anyone who intends to exercise after Iftar should eat some dates, drink plenty of water and perhaps have some soup and then head off for the work out,” explained Mohammed Siddique Al-Ansari, the Imam of a mosque in Riyadh. “This way the body can build up more stamina.” For those used to having a large meal with their family for Iftar, it is also possible to work out after the Taraweeh prayers, as that helps to digest the large Iftar meal, he added.Dr. Barnawi is also of the opinion that working out after Iftar can provide the body with much-needed fuel and ensure a more strenuous work out. It will also play a role in deflecting gastrointestinal discomfort. He recommends a couple of exercises for this group of people:“Jogging on the treadmill for 20 minutes, abdominal exercises, and swimming are highly recommended,” he said. “Those who don’t visit health clubs can take a 40-minute brisk walk anywhere as well as try forms of exercise, particularly some new positions from Sweden that burn a lot of calories in 15 minutes,”Even playing stamina-boosting sports like football and volleyball can help one maintain a good level of weight as it burns a lot of calories and ensures a good time as well.” – SG

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2009090548897

The other side of the story

The other side of the story
By Mona Rahman
Deprived women, mostly of South Asian origins, who come to Saudi Arabia as Umrah pilgrims and later take to working illegally as housemaids or domestic helpers are often faced with boundless challenges, which are often shrouded by issues of their illegal status here and runaway stories that are heard more often in Ramadan when the demand of housemaids is at its peak.Nusrat Liaquat (name changed), a Pakistani woman who works as a housemaid in Taif, came to the Kingdom eight years ago on an Umrah visa and overstayed as an illegal after her visa expired. “I have worked in many households in Makkah, Jeddah, and am presently working in Taif. I often shift from one house to another because of a general dissatisfaction over various issues,” said Liaquat.She recalled her experience in an Arab household.“The Arab woman for whom I worked was the principal of a school in Jeddah and her husband was a manager in a company. Their villa had many rooms and toilets which I had to clean every day. Moreover, looking after their six children was a tough job. I used to get up daily at 4 in the morning and work till midnight. I left because I was over-worked, and this for a mere pittance. Moreover, they did not treat me well,” said Liaquat, who now works for an Indian family in Taif.According to reports, everyday 2,000 illegal domestic helpers are arrested by the police, and in a year, the ratio of illegal maids working in the Kingdom has increased by 40 percent.These maids also face problems of non-payment or delays in their payments, and are often forced to do laborious work for long hours, even during the weekends.They earn around SR1800 to SR2000 per month for eight to nine hours of work per day.“I worked for 18 months and was paid for only 12 months. I did not have the courage to ask for more money as they threatened to hand me over to the police charging me with some false allegations. The woman of the house even warned that she would throw acid on my face,” said Raziyah (name changed), an Indian maid working in Makkah.These maids or ‘masis’, as they are generally called in South Asian households, often suffer from severe health problems. Yet even when ill, they cannot be treated in hospitals and clinics as they lack a legal status.Recently, it was reported that an Indian housemaid in the Kingdom, Sehar Bano, died of T.B. “Bano had been ill for a long time, and despite that, she worked persistently. She couldn’t visit a doctor and lived in a shabby place with her husband and kids, all of who were illegals. Her dead body was unidentified and she was buried like that. Her husband ran away fearing the police and the kids were deported back to India,” said Naseem Khan, a Pakistani national in Jeddah for whom Bano worked.For many of these maids, life becomes a “hide and seek” game of sorts as they have to endlessly shift their residences and place of work in the fear of detention, and consequently, deportation.Ruksana, a young illegal Pakistani national, is one such maid.“My mother used to work for a female teacher. When she was sick, her teenage brother replaced her. However, he was soon arrested and deported because of which I had to take over the work,” she said, adding that the “small” houses they live in are little defense against the Jawazaat raids but they do manage to escape when the timings of the raid are known in advance.“Otherwise, the (illegal) male members are detained and are beaten up while the women are only imprisoned for a few days until the legal documents are processed and they are deported,” said Ruksana.She said that at times, the Jawazaat or the police demand a ransom of a minimum of SR2,000, on the payment of which they are “left free after a few days.”In Jeddah, the maids typically reside in districts, such as, Al-Aziziyah and Sharafiah. In Makkah, most maids live in Al-Nuzha district. In some cases, the building care-taker, commonly referred to as the “haaris”, provides the maid with a small room built on the terrace so that she is kept away from the police raids.Rani, an Indian maid, who is on her husband’s Iqama, illegally works as a housemaid.“Many times, our sponsor charges us a lot of money, as high as SR5,000, in order to renew our Iqamas. Even then, they keep delaying things and it is not easy to get the work done,” said Rani. – SG

Summer internships lure expat youth

Summer internships lure expat youth
By Mona Rahman

For many youngsters, summertime is about fun, enjoyment, get-togethers and hanging out with friends in the malls. But for two Bangladeshi students at the Bangladesh International School, Jeddah, Saud Mirajul Aziz and Mohaimen Mohammad Kaisar, it is an ideal time to have what they call “the experience of a lifetime” by working as interns and attaining technical know-how at a multinational company.“I joined the internship program to become familiar with a professional office work environment,” said Aziz, who recently completed I.G.C.S.E in Jeddah.“Before my exams, I planned to join a training center in order to learn technical skills. However, through internship, I have the opportunity to learn two things: the office environment as well as technical work,” he said.Teenagers in expat families across the Kingdom, who have not gone to their home countries or elsewhere for the holidays, laze around in the summers, glued to a couch watching a movie or surfing the Internet at home.Kaisar said that he planned to do something unusual this summer.“I did not want to sit at home for three whole months. I wanted to do something that is resourceful … and then this opportunity came up. It was quite unexpected,” said Kaisar.Many corporate houses are offering summer internships that are attracting students in significant numbers. Aziz and Kaisar have enrolled in a three-month internship program, which started in June and will end in September.“I joined the company on June 28 and plan to diligently work for three months,” said Kaisar.Internships are increasingly being sought by young professionals as a means to become acquainted with the work culture.Through internships, students gain experience in different fields, establish contacts that are vital for networking, and receive letters of recommendation from professionals in the field. The other advantage of internships is that students gain work experience without permanently committing themselves to a specific field. “I felt awkward the first few days of work, but then I began to feel more confident. Initially, I thought that office environments were boring. Gradually I learnt that office work is not so boring if you know what you are doing. The best part is I get a coffee break every two hours,” quipped Aziz.Kaisar said that he was initially nervous being in an environment that “has almost no resemblance to school life.”“However, working with knowledgeable and friendly people, it was very easy to adjust to the changes. It feels great to work in a professional, high class, and a peaceful environment, though I miss the noisy and fun-filled classrooms,” he said.Aziz and Kaisar are learning different IT-related operations along with basic work ethics.“I am learning how to give basic IT support to businesses along with advanced computing skills. It’s a big deal working with a top organization at such an early stage of my career,” said Kaisar.“I am confident that the skills that I am acquiring now will help me to adjust to any office environment, and, moreover, help me to choose my career path,” he added.Asked about the nature of his work, Aziz said: “I am working at the IT Department’s help desk. When anyone has a technical problem, they call me and I help them solve it. I have previously worked as the company’s IT Assets Inventory. So basically, I am the ‘IT guy’.” – SG

Housewives cook for money in Ramadan

Housewives cook for money in Ramadan
By Mona Rahman

JEDDAH – The month of Ramadan is a busy time for those women who prepare food at home for vending. These self-employed, professional cooks work hard to generate extra income for their families and themselves. “I have been vending food for the last two years and as the mother of four children, I am supporting my family. I work hard during the month of Ramadan as I have many orders and supply women with food delicacies,” said Umm Khadija. “I offer my services to women who are working in banks and offices where there are women’s branches or sections and also in the past to teachers when the schools were open during Ramadan,” she addedUmm Salma shares a similar story. However, she does not visit offices to look for customers, but rather cooks for particular families with working womenfolk. “I am adept at cooking Saudi dishes and presently I am preparing a full Iftar table for a lady doctor who works full-time in a government hospital and is unable to do the cooking after a hard day’s work. The dishes include soup, sambosas, dessert, and pastries. The lady provides me with the ingredients and I charge her SR2,000 for the entire month of Ramadan.”Some women buy from these cooks because they consider the food to be more hygienic and better prepared than that offered by take-away restaurants. “I hired a Palestinian cook who, except for weekends, cooks for me. She charges me SR150 a day for cooking five or six dishes, but I don’t hesitate to pay as the health and hygiene issue, which is of prime importance, is guaranteed,” said Abeer Khalid, an Egyptian national in Jeddah.Most of the women who are professional cooks reside in Hejaz, that is, Makkah, Jeddah and the surrounding areas, and they are usually low-income Palestinian, Syrian and Saudi nationals for whom cooking is the only way to earn a living. These ladies wake up early in the morning and all day long to prepare food despite fasting themselves. They visit the women’s branches of banks and offices or beauty parlors where women employees buy from them. When they are not able to visit many places in a day, they hire drivers who do the work for them, and many women office workers send their drivers to the homes of these cooks to collect the food. “Sambosa is sold for one riyal per piece and women often buy fifty riyals worth so they can store the sambosa for two or three days. I can earn one or two thousand riyals a week, but it involves careful organizing, preparing, distributing and, of course, endless effort. I even have to pay the driver who helps me in delivering the food. In a day I am able to cater to approximately 10-12 families,” said Khadija“We do not sell every day; one day we prepare, cook and freeze items and the next day we deliver them according to the schedule. Sometimes we cook for long hours standing in the heat of kitchen despite fasting, but we believe that we work with a strong faith while fasting. And also it is a means of getting blessings by feeding people and helpibg them break their fast with delicious things,” she addedMany women who work in offices all day are delighted to be helped by these cooks. “Providing healthy food for families is just as important in Ramadan as it is at other times of the year. Additionally, it is a great way to help female entrepreneurs in our region, especially those women who have to work from home. Cooking and catering for others can be the start of their lives as businesswomen,” said Muna Abu Sulayman, a well-known television personality.A municipal official from Makkah, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said women in Riyadh do not usually cook food at home to sell. However, women in Hejaz do and the food is usually clean and healthy. These women not only work on an individual basis but sometimes also in collaboration with some restaurants.As many people who sell items illegally have their goods confiscated or are even deported if they are caught by the municipality, Saudi Gazette asked an official if there were restrictions on women cooking food at home to sell. “There are no specific laws concerning the delivering of food (commercially), but the punishment that might be meted out is the confiscation of their goods and materials,” he said. – SG