The economics of Ramadan

According to the Muslim lunar calendar, Ramadan is the 9th month. Since the lunar year is only 354 days, or 10-11 days shorter than a solar year, Ramadan rotates during the solar year.

It can be during the longest days (this Ramadan) or in the shortest days and longest nights (in December).

Regardless of which solar days Ramadan occurs, it carries the same traditions, habits and special diet.

Muslims are supposed to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk.

Over time, Ramadan developed its own foods, sweets, drinks and night habits.

When Muslims break the fast, they drink soft drinks or juices made of apricot, tamarind, carob fruit or licorice; usually they take that with one or three dates.

The meal usually includes soup and fattoush (green salad with toasted pieces bread). After that they eat the main dish. Last, they take sweets (mainly heavy pastries and or qatayef).

Qatayef are sambousek shaped, but filled with sweet white cheese, pistachios or walnuts. A sweet syrup is usually added on top.

After the last prayers, people usually visit each other, or seek cafés to drink tea, coffee or smoke hubble bubble.

Yet, Ramadan is a month of fulfilling zakat (the fourth pillar of Islam) whereby each able mature person should pay about 2.5 per cent of his or her income to the poor, hungry, uprooted, strangers, etc.

Many people top that with what is called free iftar (Gods’ tables) or distribute Ramadan goods to needy families.

Another religious donation is a specified amount for every family member (sadaqat alfitr). It is around JD1.5 dinars per family member.

Ramadan is followed by the Eid Al Fitr, a holiday at the end of the fasting month.

People usually buy new clothes, sweets (especially ma’moul) and visit relatives; the elders give gifts to their sisters, aunts and children of both sexes.

Thus, Ramadan is a month of spending, charity, empathy and prayers.

It should foster social solidarity and compassion among people.

The seasonality of the month makes it fall on different dates of the year. The month of fasting rotates is followed by 3 days of holiday.

Merchants usually stock up the goods associated with Ramadan and for the holiday that follows it.

Many people seize the opportunity to diet to lose some weight.

Although Ramadan is not supposed to affect productivity, in actuality productivity falls and working hours are shortened by at least three hours a day.

Ramadan is supposed to witness a brisker demand for consumer goods and more charity and compassion.

This year, it seems that family budgets in Jordan are too strained to fulfill that seasonal promise.

The writer is a former Royal Court chief, deputy prime minister and member of Senate. He contributed this article to The Jordan Times.