The religious observance of the holy month of Ramadan this year is from the 23rd of September until the 23rd of October.
Ramadan is very important to Muslims adhering to Islamic principles.
During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking when there is daylight. And if you, a non-Muslim, should be there, you should not drink, eat or smoke in public especially while in the presence of practicing Muslims (which would mean 99% of the people around you!).
Muslims are allowed to work 6 hours per day during this time BUT...
- they have to pray 5 times per day. 3 of which (noon, afternoon and sunset) are during what we know as "office hours".
- At sunset, they meet friends and relatives to celebrate the breaking of the fast. And (!) they celebrate well into the night.
With all those in mind, do you think you'd be able to have a productive business meeting? Maybe with some but I am pretty sure several would not be that focused on the business at hand.
So, I suggest that you postpone non-essential business meetings in predominantly Muslim countries until the 23rd of October.
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