Ramadan in Kuwait – in eyes of an expat

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Ramadan in Kuwait – in eyes of an expat

Here comes the most beautiful time of the year “RAMADAN” when its times to pray, fast and spend time with your family and friends. The beginning and end of this holy period depends on the sighting of the moon. It is a period of spiritual rejuvenation for all of us with a focus on devotion and performing special prayers. Ramadan is the time for every individual to self-reflect and grow morally. In Kuwait, we also see Ramadan as a social time as your friends invites you for special dinners and praying together. Every expat living in Kuwait looks upto this time.

Since we moved to Kuwait Ramadan fasting holds a different meaning than ever before. Kuwait during Ramadan is much different than other months. With the reduced working hours, you get to spend more time with your family and friends and enjoy the fasting season with each passing day. It’s no doubt a good time to go out as the city is open at night a bit longer than usual days as people move out to meet and greet their dear ones. The good part of society is inclusiveness as all of us celebrate and enjoy this time with much happiness and pleasure.

Most of the people breaks the fast with dates and water as a local tradition and this continues with special dishes prepared for Ramadan. Iftar known as fitooh in Kuwait is the evening meal to open fast and usually taken when the sun has gown down. A popular Kuwaiti custom is Girgian and it mostly falls near to 13th, 14th or 15th day of fasting where the children dress in beautiful attires go across the neighborhood to collect candies and enjoy their time. Among the local traditions in Kuwait, you will be invited to lot of Ghabqa by friends on fewer occasions but mostly by local companies for a time of fun and feasting.

Fasting is believed to be good to purify and detox the body and the mind. Some people believe that fasting helps the body to take a break from everyday digestion process which has a lot of long-term benefits. As an expat always enjoyed this time with friends and neighbors in Kuwait. Not only do we get the best food to eat together, but it also brings the community much closer. Though, the Ramadan is different this year, but we should all pray that the world becomes a better and lovable place for all of us.

Sending wishes for a peaceful Ramadan to all our friends who fast, celebrate and believes in Ramadan.

Rupali Bhagat, Senior Instructor- Business and HR, Australian University.PHRI, CERTIV, BBA, B.Ed., PGDBA(HR), PGJMC(Journalism), MA(ECO.) Volunteer in INJAZ and LOYAC, Yoga Instructor, Certified Life, and wellness Coach