Being a Muslim, One of the first things parents teach their children about religious practice is fasting. And when asked why, they say: “Because God asked us to do so”
When growing up, you start realizing it’s not just about “Because GOD asked us to do so”, it’s because Ramadan is supposed to be a period of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice.
But now, I find myself questioning that assessment!!
This is particularly apparent on the Arabic satellite channels, which offer special Ramadan programming. In past years, these shows largely consisted of historical dramas, documentaries, and talk shows. Last year I remember watching a daily program where a young man traveled the Arab world and pointed out vices -- prejudice, dishonesty, even littering -- and encouraged people to change bad habits.
This year, however, the programming seems largely focused on soap operas and commercials. One program I watched yesterday had over 12 minutes (!) of commercials in a half-hour show: for such items as Food, soda pop, tea, jewelry, clothing, and mobile phone service.
Letting alone the fact that a huge media production company launches a TV channel broadcasting in Ramadan only!!!!!
Having discussed this with a friend who worked for three years in Afghanistan, one year in Sudan, and another year in Kuwait she said: “I have never seen anybody anywhere else in the world celebrating Ramadan as a festival other that the Arab world”
Ramadan has now become a massive marketing event where companies can advertise their products as a must have for Ramadan time. And it seems as thought the interest surrounding Ramadan has now shifted from what the holiness month is meant to represent and has now become marketing and product focused event where consumer goods are in incredibly high demand and companies will try anything to make a profit during this month.
Mind you the sleeping late, waking up early for work, working in a complete out of focus mood for three to four hours, going back home and sleep until breakfast time!!!
Yet Christmas time is more about Christmas Trees, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Cookies and of course the man we love the most 'Father Christmas' (or 'Santa Claus').
When growing up, you start realizing it’s not just about “Because GOD asked us to do so”, it’s because Ramadan is supposed to be a period of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice.
But now, I find myself questioning that assessment!!
In recent years, there seems to be an increased media emphasis on Ramadan sales, Ramadan TV programming, and Ramadan travel. It seems to have become a month of consumption rather than a month of sacrifice.
This is particularly apparent on the Arabic satellite channels, which offer special Ramadan programming. In past years, these shows largely consisted of historical dramas, documentaries, and talk shows. Last year I remember watching a daily program where a young man traveled the Arab world and pointed out vices -- prejudice, dishonesty, even littering -- and encouraged people to change bad habits.
This year, however, the programming seems largely focused on soap operas and commercials. One program I watched yesterday had over 12 minutes (!) of commercials in a half-hour show: for such items as Food, soda pop, tea, jewelry, clothing, and mobile phone service.
Letting alone the fact that a huge media production company launches a TV channel broadcasting in Ramadan only!!!!!
Having discussed this with a friend who worked for three years in Afghanistan, one year in Sudan, and another year in Kuwait she said: “I have never seen anybody anywhere else in the world celebrating Ramadan as a festival other that the Arab world”
Ramadan has now become a massive marketing event where companies can advertise their products as a must have for Ramadan time. And it seems as thought the interest surrounding Ramadan has now shifted from what the holiness month is meant to represent and has now become marketing and product focused event where consumer goods are in incredibly high demand and companies will try anything to make a profit during this month. This is also reflected on the social level, where Ramadan’s mains focus becomes on invitations over breakfast time, who did the biggest and better food preparation among family and friends, which tent is the hot spot for smoking Shisha and enjoying oriental music, And Sohoor (last meal before start fasting the next day) gatherings as well.
Mind you the sleeping late, waking up early for work, working in a complete out of focus mood for three to four hours, going back home and sleep until breakfast time!!!
But wait a minutes, isn’t this also the case with Christmas time? Isn’t Christmas time supposed to be a Holy season celebrating the birth of the Christ?!
Yet Christmas time is more about Christmas Trees, Christmas Gifts, Christmas Cookies and of course the man we love the most 'Father Christmas' (or 'Santa Claus').
It seems that somewhere along the way these Holydays has been lost and replaced by the celebrations and materialistic attitudes that are of more concern to us than the holiness surrounding it.
Well, I don’t know about Christmas, but for Ramadan, I think in a couple of years commercials would launch a campaign for: “Subscribe for fasting Ramadan this year and get free fasting next year”
