Expat Community In UAE Gets Free Workshop On Ramadan Etiquette

Expats in the UAE could be forgiven for not quite understanding the historic and religious culture surrounding the Holy Month of Ramadan, but a free two-hour workshop on its do’s and don’t’s should help.

The UAE is reputed to have the largest concentration of expats of any region on the planet, with some 90 per cent of residents across the emirates originating from overseas. The month-long festival of Ramadan is the Islamic calendar’s Holy Month and has rules regarding conduct which may seem strange, especially to Westerners. This year, a free two-hour workshop explaining to expats why Ramadan is so important to Moslems and how to behave during the month should help non-Moslems understand its significance and avoid making cultural mistakes.

The seminar is being conducted by the Eton Institute, with its spokesperson Tudor Totoescu telling local media attendees will be able to enrich their cultural knowledge and even learn a few Arabic phrases and when to use them. Totoescue believes this knowledge will help expats both professionally and personally, adding they’ll also feel more confident and comfortable in their interactions with emiratis, especially during the Holy Month.

The workshop will take place in

’s Knowledge Park Conference Hall on April 25 between 4.30 and 6.30 p.m, and is expected to draw a good number of participants.

According to the institute’s website, Ramadan is the month when Moslems all across the world make time to practice self-discipline, engage in spiritual reflection and fast from the time the sun comes up to when it sinks. Expats will learn Ramadan etiquette in the workplace, important greetings and expressions in Arabic and insight into both Arab and Islamic cultures. At a practical expat level, alcohol will only be served after night falls, loud and live music is off-limits as is swearing in public, dressing conservatively is advised and fasting, if only for one day, is recommended.