Iftar

Iftar (Arabic: إفطار‎), refers to the evening meal when Muslims break their fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with people gathering to break their fast together. Iftar is done right after Maghrib (sunset) time. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to be consumed when the fast is broken.

Last August 9, 2010 my company sponsored an Iftar Dinner for  it’s employees and their family. We dine at Azur Restaurant @Al Raha Beach Hotel. The menu are consist of variety of Indian, Arabic and Continental cuisine. Everyone enjoyed the foods, (my mom can’t  decide which one to eat first). It was also a bonding moment for us and to meet and greet each one’s family.

Thanks boss for the wonderful evening of great foods.

My boss told us that over the years there’s a lot of people forgot the true meaning of Ramadan. Ramadan is not a month of food festival or even shopping festival. Let’s remember that it is a time for spiritual reflection, prayer and doing of good deeds. Fasting is intended to inculcate self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity.

Ramadan Kareem!

Sale

One of the perks of being expat here in UAE is a chance to own your fave gadget or signature items for a much cheaper price. People are accustomed into buying commodities that would be too costly in their home country due to custom tariffs. You can buy your fave stuff here in the price that you can’t imagine 70% off, buy one get one, Best buys, Freebies, etc.

Aside from the usual Week-end  Sale they have the following festival over the year:

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) – a month long event usually scheduled during the 1st quarter of the year. Dubai Shopping Festival is basically a shopping paradise. Dubai is known around the world as such a paradise throughout the year, but they really lay out the red carpet during shopping festival month, with over 2,300 retails outlets participating, that offer everything imaginable from gold, perfume, haute couture, cars, electronics to handicrafts and textiles.

Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) – DSS just like DFS consists of numerous exciting activities that include entertainment, shopping, and winning, DSS has today become the ideal getaway for Family Holidays during the summer months. This year DSS scheduled from June 17 – August 7, 2010.

GITEX - If you are a techy person this event is definitely for you. GITEX is an annual consumer computer and electronics trade show which takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Recognised as the region’s largest and most popular technology retail event, GITEX Shopper attracts the biggest names in the retail sector, with unique launches and special offers across the best in technology, communication and entertainment products. This year’s GITEX is scheduled on October 17-21, 2010

Ramadan / Eid Sale – Ramadan is a month when the Muslim faith amplifies the act of giving offerings to the poor so a lot of buying occurs. It’s also a season when all retailers hold promotions and sales, so even the non-Muslim population sees it as a good time to buy.” Eid on the other hand is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. It’s a great time to shop during this season, there’s a lot of Sale everywhere particularly in basic commodities like food and clothing. Home furnishing is selling as a hotcake too because most of the locals want a new look on their house so they end up buying new furniture, home decors and dispatched the old one. Some is enjoy buying slightly used furniture (almost new) in a very very low price while some get it for free.

I also benefited from this Great Sale.

Just recently during DSS, I bought Blackberry Curve 8520 for AED 899 with Free Canon A940 digital camera worth AED 399, 2 GB SD Card, & Camera Case. It’s bundle with Du Eliteplan with Free 6 months Dataplan subscription.

This HP laptop I bought in a GITEX Offer last October 2008. It comes with Free Fujifilm Digicam 2GB SD Card, Targus laptop mouse.

I got these nice Zara blouses for a 70% discount during the weekend Sale last July.

Looking forward for more sale /offer this month of Ramadan