The Day That Never Ends


As the sun rises across the Arabian Peninsula today, the people of these nations enter fasting mode. They will not allow food or water to touch their lips. In fact, they will not allow anything at all to enter their mouths during the daylight hours, including gum, toothpaste, mouthwash, smoking or anything of the sort. The only thing they are allowed to chew on is a stick from a certain tree known for its resin flavor. They will continue throughout the day attempting work and study, sleeping and abstaining from anything considered a distraction from the holy including listening to music, physical intimacy, and any sort of entertainment. Instead they are to read through their holy book and pray more frequently. 

Why do all this? Because they are following in the footsteps of their leader and believe God requires every devout believer to observe this type of fast for an entire month each year based off of the waxing and waning of the crescent moon. I asked one of my local friends as the month began why she personally does it and she replied that it helps her develop self-discipline and will-power. She felt that choosing to abstain from physical pleasures that naturally all humans enjoy taught herself that she was able to push herself more than she felt able to at times.

As the sun sets across the Arabian Peninsula, families gather around tables or on the floor with water in hand and dates and laban in front of them. As soon as the call echoes through the streets, parched tongues gulp down the water and savor the sweetness of the dates. Together they go to pray and then the real festivities begin. First come the deep fried triangles with cheese or meat inside. Then, comes the savory soup cooked to perfection with each mom's secret recipe. Next, come countless steaming dishes of rice, meat, pasta and all sorts of delicacies. For the rest of the night, locals will spend time with their families or go out with friends enjoying the light of the moon and stars and the freedom to do all the things they couldn't do when the sun was up. 

Many businesses that at best were open half the day, now have their doors wide open for all hours of the night. Restaurants and shops all offer deals and special discounts for the nocturnal population enjoying the evening festivities. Energy runs high as caffeine and calories hit the digestive systems. Bustling malls and well lit streets advertise the latest entertainment and fashions. By 3 or 4 am families and friends are gathering together again to have one last big hurrah before the moon sets. Platters of meat, rice, and tantalizing delicacies are brought out and devoured. Lots of water guzzled down. Then, as the sky begins to brighten, the call goes out. Everyone scatters to go pray and catch a few hours of sleep before heading off to work or study and so continue the day that never ends. 

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