Ramadan (August 15th- Sept 1st)

I arrived in Dubai during Ramadan (translation: scorched earth), which means that eating and drinking outside in the presence of Muslims is prohibited. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and occurs on different days each year. Schools in Dubai don't start until after Ramadan is over so kids don't have to fast during the school day and can concentrate on praying more than 5 times a day. It is believed that the Quran was sent down during Ramadan.

It also means that there are huge Iftar dinners in the evenings in which people eat elaborate meals. I went to a cultural center at a mosque, dedicated to sharing and understanding of Muslim culture. We had an Iftar dinner there which consisted of Chicken Biriyani, bread and dates.