Tid-Bit about Muslim Holiday

Today (Thursday Sept. 13) is the beginning of Ramadan... (Muslim fasting). The muslims fast for four weeks. They eat and drink nothing in the day time hours, only after dark may they eat. They may not even swallow their saliva, so we will see lots of people spitting on the streets. Restaurants and buisinesses close shop early for the next week, so they can get home before dark. Restaurants and people who are not muslim, make sure to close their blinds, so the muslims do not see people eating. It is extremely insulting to eat or drink in front of a muslim during this time. They break the fast in four weeks with a huge holiday called Idul Fitri. This is two days of feasting for muslims. This is a tremedous holiday and most schools get two weeks off during this time. We only get 6 days off. Most places close down because people go home to their villages to confess all their sins to their family and ask for forgiveness... people travel thousands of miles away to go back to their villages during this time.