Monday, September 1, 2008

Ramadan

It’s the first day of Ramadan today. For those of you who don’t know, Ramadan is the month of fasting for Muslims, I believe Mohammad fasted during this month, and thus all Muslims do. By fasting I mean they are not allowed to eat or drink anything from the time the sun rises, to the time the sun sets.

And so… with this comes the injustice of this month. First off, people don’t eat enough in the first place, couple this with having absolutely messed up eating schedules means people don’t eat properly… (and of course, the kids, who aren’t supposed to fast, do it anyways, because their parents don’t have the energy or money to cook more than 1 or two times a day… not five). And then the prices get raised. Its stupid, its Ramadan, so people raise the prices, why? Its Ramadan. Umm… okay… like that makes any sense. I pointed out that if just ¼ of the population of the city didn’t buy some of the stuff that gets marked up (various fruits, puffed rice, various snack food items) for just one week, the prices would go back down. But, of course, no one does, they just complain, and then buy the item, killing themselves to get it.

Oh the upside, it’s a great time to pray for people. So I guess that’s something to be happy about, no?

Oh, and TPS starts next week. *cries* I don’t want to start TPS… I mean… I do, but I don’t want to… you know? I like my semi-busy schedule… once TPS starts it’ll be much busier… with a proper Latin course, English, Math and Programming, I’ll be quite busy.

Oh well… that’s life.

7 comments:

Hilary Hughes said...

Well of course the prices have to be raised or how do the poor Muslim grocers survive? (or do you have grocers :/)
I'm totally with you on not wanting to start TPS

Isaac, the masterofweirdness said...

no, no... they are already to high... every year the prices are raised the day ramadan starts, I don't think its because of anything other than the fact that the people selling stuff get greedy, and know they can charge more.

For instance, yesterday, depsite the price of Iftaar (snacks eaten at the end of a day of fasting) going up by 30% (compared to last year that is) people still bought basically the same amount... now, while some of that raise is to be expected, I'm not sure all of it was necessary.

Oh, and we do have grocers, most people shop in tiny little stores run by usually two people... though we shop in proper AC stores more now...

thanks for the comment!

Manwathiel said...

That's...well, rather ridiculous. And the prices don't ever go back down? Like I said, ridiculous...

I wonder if the Muslims in Cambodia celebrate Ramadan... I never really thought about it before. *makes note to find out*

TPS classes... You'll survive!

Isaac, the masterofweirdness said...

I bet they do... muslims all over the world do...

The prices... I think... might come down a bit, but it is rather silly, since prices are high enough as it is (the price of rice has more than doubled in the past year). People can hardly eat as it is.

Lydia said...

HEY!!! Isaac!! remember me from TPS? this is LydiaT... I found your blog! =D Well hey.. you should check mine out.. it's http://visionsofmercy.blogspot.com

ttyl,

lyd

Isaac, the masterofweirdness said...

Ya! Another person to read my blog!

I'm checking yours out now...

Manwathiel said...

Yeah, the Cham (Muslims in Cambodia) do celebrate Ramadan, although they're not as strict about it as most Muslims.

Price of rice is going up outrageously for the past few years... It's ridiculous. Cambodians eat rice for every meal and the price goes up... *mutters*