Dubai, 10/14/04
Hi all! Just another update from me.
I decided to wake up early today to go to the Jumeirah Mosque for a tour. This is the only
mosque in Dubai that is opened to non-Muslims. But you're only able to do this on the tour
that they offer every Thursday morning. I thought it would be a cool experience and that I could
learn something from it. Even though I've already forgotten a lot, I thought I would pass some
stuff onto you guys! (And you, too, Lea...since you're at the pool laying out right now!). There
were two great people who gave the 'tour' (really, it was more like guest speakers in college
teaching you stuff)--the guy was hysterical and the girl is actually Swiss but moved to Dubai.
My new knowledge...
- People have to take their shoes off before entering. There are faucets outside of mosques. This
is for Muslims to wash away their sins before they enter. They typically wash their hands and
feet. They will even brush their teeth.
- Muslims pray 5 times a day. The times depend on the location of the sun.
- Women don't have to pray or fast (for Ramadan) when they're menstruating.
- Though Muslims are from many different countries, all prayers are done in Arabic. The first
part of the prayer is reciting the first chapter of the Koran.
- Islam is based on the Prophet Mohammed and the Koran. Any fundamentalist groups base it
on other outside sources. They really wanted to get it out there that these groups are not at all
what Islam is about. They're a peaceful bunch who love all people of all religions and it's their
purpose to make everyone a better person.
- They give 2.5% of their yearly savings to charity to bridge the gap between the rich and poor.
- Once inside the mosque, everyone is seen as equal when praying...whether you're a king or a
janitor.
- They don't wear burkas here...but in the places they do, it's because the mouth is viewed as
sexual and they don't want to show it in public.
- On a Dubai note, there's over 3 million people who live here and only 15% are native to the
area. In order to keep some of the Dubai culture alive, local men wear the white scarves on
their heads in addition to the white outfits (I forget the technical name). They also wear a black
thing on top of their head that holds the scarf down. This black thing used to be used when they
would walk their camels and then they would stop for a break. In order to have the camels not
run away they would put this on their ankles (it makes a serpentine shape). When walking with
their camels they would need to put it somewhere. So they put it on their heads. And there you
have it. Part of the local uniform was established.
- They also have people from 100 different nations living here.
And on another note....tomorrow marks the first day of Ramadan! For those who don't know, all
Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Every night at sunset they break the fast. This is based on
the lunar calendar and it lasts 29-30 days. I've actually learned a great deal about Ramadan
from different magazines I've read over here. Basically, nothing is open during the day.
Everything opens at night so the nights should be very happy times for these people. As for me,
I can eat. But really only at the hotel. All restaurants are closed during this time. And you can't
eat or drink anything while walking down the street--it's almost throwing it in Muslims faces
that they can't eat.
I know I've learned more. I just can't remember right now. But I just have to state again how
awesome everyone over here is. Now I'm about to go to a DaVinci exhibit before heading back
to the hotel and taking a dip in the Persian Gulf. (Did I already tell you guys how beautiful it
is?!?!? :) It's the exact color of the Caribbean. Amazing.)
Until the next email...
:) Jen
