Qalam wa Lawh wishes Ramadan Mubarak to you all! Ramadan is the 9th month of Muslim “Hijri” (هجري) calendar. It’s a time where Muslims seek to attain higher standards of morality and virtue, not only abstaining from food and drink, but also from impure thoughts, quarreling, offensive words, and all other impurities of the mind and soul. During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and break their fast at sunset with a meal known as “Iftar” (اإلفطار)
This year, the month of Ramadan will begin Tuesday 7 May 2019 and last roughly one month. Eid will be celebrated on Wednesday 5 June 2019 inshallah (dates may vary).
Below you will find all the information you need about activities, time changes, and special offers at Qalam wa Lawh during the Ramadan season.
ARABIC CLASSES
All Arabic classes at Qalam wa Lawh will continue throughout the month of Ramadan. However, to accommodate people who are fasting during this important month, there will be slight changes to the regular schedule.
Morning classes: 9:00 to 13:00
Afternoon classes: 14:00 to 16:00 (or 18:00, for private courses)
Evening classes: 16:15 to 17:45
SPECIAL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND TRIPS
Your teachers and Club Coordinators may choose to include extra Ramadan-related activities or trips during the holy month.
The Cooking Club, for example, will help prepare the daily Iftar for people taking part in the Arabic Language Café every Thursday. And the Volunteering Club will host an Iftar at the beach in Temara for students on 28 May.
Please check your syllabus, or ask your teacher or Club Coordinator about activities you can join.
MEAL SERVICE
Breakfast and lunch will be served at their regular time.
Students residing with host families have the option to have breakfast at Qalam at no charge.
A complimentary traditional Moroccan ”Iftar” meal (اإلفطار ) will be served daily at sunset (around 19:30) Monday- Friday. The meal will consist of Moroccan Harira soup, coffee, orange juice, dates, eggs, and other traditional specialties. All students and staff are welcome.
ARABIC LANGUAGE CAFE
During Ramadan, the Arabic Language Café will be held on Thursdays during Iftar, from 19:30 to 21:00. The beginning of the Arabic Language Café will give everyone time to eat, and then the discussions will begin. Below are the subjects that will be discussed this Ramadan season:
09 May: Fasting: Between Culture and Religion
16 May: Culture of Solidarity in Moroccan society
23 May: Fasting and Health
30 May: The Role of the Family in Raising Children
A FEW POINTERS ABOUT LIFE DURING RAMADAN
• DO greet your Muslim friends with “Ramadan Kareem” (كريم رمضان) or “Ramadan Mubarak” (مبارك رمضان) and join them for Iftar. Experience the spirit of Ramadan by doing something charitable or perhaps even try fasting.
• DO try to refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, chewing gum during daylight hours in all public areas and any location where you can be seen.
• DO take extra care to dress more conservatively
• DO plan to eat at home before going out and about, since most restaurants and food courts will be closed until sunset. (Although, as you know, food will still be served at Qalam wa Lawh.)
• DO remember keep in mind supermarkets will be open and shoppers can still buy groceries during the day, provided that no food or drink is consumed in public.
Again, Ramadan Kareem to you all! We wish you a blessed month.