Prayer Times

Major internet problems kept me offline for a few days, but now I'm back online and wanted to share the prayer schedule:

Fajr-4:32am
Sunrise-5:53am
Dhuhr-11.50am
Asr-3:14pm
Maghreb-5:47pm
Isha-7:17pm

The schedule is printed daily in the newspaper. All businesses close during the prayer times, each one lasting approximately 25 - 45 minutes. The trick is to slide into a restaurant or larger supermarket one minute before the prayer time, so that you get locked in and can place your order or do your shopping during the prayer. Smaller business turn off the lights and kick you out, so you can't get away with saving time at any of those places.

Also, all businesses close from Noon to 4pm, and barely any of them open before noon, so really if you have any errands to run, you have to start your day at 4pm. (Restuarants are usually open earlier, but their good menus don't get served until 4pm).

It has occassionally been quite frustrating to complete tasks within these timeframes. We're literally counting down minutes and gambling to see how quickly we can drive to our destinations. Then we have to run to get in the door so that it doesn't set back our schedule. I actually purchased a wristwatch and have taken to wearing it daily! With these prayers, every minute counts.

The loudspeakers throughout the city play the singing and prayers. It sounds quite nice, a man's voice sings, "Allahhhhh, wakbarrrrrr..."